Source: HINDU
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On International Day for Biological Diversity 2025 experts warned that India’s marine fisheries sector though stable at 3–4 million tonnes annually is under stress due to overfishing, juvenile fishing and bycatch.
90% of fishers (small-scale) catch only 10% of fish; mechanized trawlers dominate the rest.
Three-quarters of fisher families live below the poverty line despite high output.
Trawlers discard 10 kg of bycatch for every 1 kg of shrimp highlighting massive ecological waste.
Overfishing refers to the unsustainable extraction of fish and marine species at a rate faster than they can naturally replenish.
It endangers marine biodiversity, reduces fish stocks and exacerbates socio-economic vulnerabilities especially among small-scale fishers.
India with a vast coastline and a robust marine fisheries sector is facing increasing pressure from overfishing.
|
Cause |
Explanation |
|
Mechanized Trawling |
Extensive use of shrimp trawlers with small mesh nets captures non-target and juvenile species. |
|
Inadequate Regulations |
Each coastal state has its own Marine Fisheries Regulation Act leading to regulatory loopholes and non-uniform standards. |
|
Juvenile Fishing |
Sub-legal mesh sizes (<25mm) allow immature fish into nets depleting future stock. |
|
High Bycatch |
Non-target species often die in nets and are discarded or ground into fish meal contributing to ecosystem imbalance. |
|
Overcapacity & Debt Cycles |
Fishers take loans to invest in larger boats and nets but fail to gain proportionate returns. |
Ecological
Collapse of Fish Stocks: E.g., sardines and mackerels declining due to overharvesting.
Habitat Destruction: Bottom trawling destroys seabed and coral reefs.
Food Web Disruption: Loss of key species affects predators and prey.
Economic & Social
Declining Incomes for small-scale fishers.
Widening Inequality: Mechanized sector profits more.
Loss of Nutrition Security: Export of fish meal denies Indians affordable protein.
|
Country |
Fishery |
Consequence |
|
Canada |
Northern Cod |
Collapsed in 1992; moratorium imposed, stocks yet to recover. |
|
USA |
Pacific Sardine |
Collapsed in 1960s; repeated closures over decades. |
Different rules across states allow fishers to bypass bans by landing catch elsewhere.
Lack of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) Uniformity: Juveniles are protected in one state, but not in another.
Poorly equipped monitoring systems and lack of inter-state coordination.
Regulatory and Policy Reforms
Harmonize MFRA laws across states with a National Marine Fisheries Standard.
Implement science-based catch limits and enforce minimum legal size across all species.
Enforce seasonal bans and no-fishing zones for spawning recovery.
Learning from Global Best Practices
New Zealand’s Quota Management System:
Assigns Total Allowable Catch based on stock assessments.
Introduces Individual Transferable Quotas.
India can pilot similar models for its mechanized fleet.
Sustainable Fishery Practices
Encourage eco-friendly fishing gear with bycatch reduction devices.
Promote community-led marine protected areas and sanctuaries.
Enhance fisher awareness on sustainable fishing practices.
Managing the Fish Meal and Fish Oil Industry
Cap production quotas to prevent overharvesting of juveniles.
Mandate onboard release of juveniles.
Redirect bycatch for local aquaculture use rather than export.
Strengthen Institutions and Monitoring
Equip coast guard and fisheries departments with real-time monitoring tools.
Digitize fisheries licensing and reporting systems.
Involve fisher cooperatives and gram sabhas in co-management.
Promote Responsible Consumer Behaviour
Encourage consumers to buy legally-sized and sustainable seafood.
Introduce eco-labelling for responsibly caught fish.
After implementing a minimum legal size regulation, threadfin bream catches increased by 41% in one season.
Demonstrates that letting fish mature leads to higher yields and income.
Sources:
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What are the ecological and socio-economic consequences of overfishing in India? Suggest sustainable alternatives. 250 words |
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