Overfishing: The Threat To Ocean Wealth, Livelihoods

PWOnlyIAS

May 22, 2025

Overfishing: The Threat To Ocean Wealth, Livelihoods

India’s marine fisheries sector is nearing its maximum capture yield, yet small-scale fishers face deep inequities. With biodiversity loss, juvenile fishing, and bycatch issues mounting, sustainable and equitable management is the urgent need of the hour.

Current Scenario: Growth Without Equity

  • Annual Marine Catch: India harvests 3–4 million tonnes of marine catch annually.
  • Skewed Workforce Share: Small-scale fishers (90% of the workforce) capture only 10% of the total catch.
  • Widespread Poverty: Three-quarters of fisher families live below the poverty line.
  • Tech Inefficiency: Technological upgrades increase costs without improving catch significantly.

Ecological Damage Through Bycatch and Trawling

  • Trawling Bycatch Crisis: In trawling, for every 1 kg of shrimp, over 10 kg of bycatch is discarded.
  • Biodiversity Loss: Bycatch includes juveniles and non-target species, often dead or dying.
  • Habitat Destruction: Shrimp trawling damages marine biodiversity, reefs, and food webs.

Juvenile Fishing and Mesh Size Issues

  • Sub-legal Mesh Sizes: Mesh sizes <25 mm allow sub-legal fish into nets, reducing spawning stock biomass.
  • Species at Risk: Species like sardine and mackerel face long-term or irreversible declines.
  • Global Collapse Lessons: Global precedents (e.g., Canada’s cod crash, California sardines) show the risk of collapse.

Regulatory Fragmentation and Loopholes

  • Disjointed Laws: Each coastal State/UT has its own Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA).
  • Loophole Exploitation: Disparate rules enable fishers to land juveniles across state lines.
  • Weak Enforcement: Conservation efforts are undermined by inconsistent enforcement.

Need for National Standardisation

  • India should pursue:
    • Harmonised catch limits and minimum legal sizes (MLS)
    • Uniform gear restrictions and closed seasons
    • A unified national framework integrating science-based management

Global Models: Lessons from New Zealand

  • Science-Based Models: New Zealand’s Quota Management System (QMS) uses science-based total allowable catches.
  • Balanced Stakeholder Rights: QMS balances commercial, recreational, and customary rights with stock health.
  • Pilot Scope in India: A similar pilot system in India could benefit mechanised fleets.

Domestic Success Stories and FMFO Challenge

  • MLS Success Story: Kerala’s minimum legal size (MLS) for threadfin bream raised catches by 41% in one season.
  • FMFO Industry Incentives: The fish-meal and fish-oil (FMFO) industry incentivises bycatch collection.
  • Reform Recommendations:
    • Cap FMFO quotas
    • Mandate onboard release of juveniles
    • Redirect bycatch for local aquaculture

Multi-Level Action Needed

  • Centre’s Role: The Central government must shift to ecosystem-based regulation, optimise licensing and subsidies.
  • State Role: States should improve enforcement with patrols and tech-based reporting.
  • Community Participation: Empower cooperatives as co-managers of marine sanctuaries.
  • Consumer Action: Consumers should support sustainably sourced, legally sized seafood only.

Conclusion

India’s fisheries are at a turning point. With the right mix of science, policy, and community action, we can secure both marine biodiversity and livelihoods, ensuring equitable prosperity and food security for future generations.

Mains Practice

Q. The marine fisheries sector in India reflects a paradox where there is high aggregate output but deepening poverty and biodiversity loss. Analyse this paradox and evaluate the need for a unified national fisheries governance framework. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
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हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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