Challenges in India's Marine Fisheries Sector
Agriculture
- PYQs1
- Articles1
Background
This concept is crucial for understanding the economic viability of a key sector, rural livelihoods, food security, environmental sustainability, the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, and the role of government policies and subsidies in supporting allied agricultural activities.
India's marine fisheries sector is a crucial component of the blue economy, supporting millions of livelihoods in coastal regions and contributing significantly to food security and exports. It encompasses diverse fishing practices, from traditional to mechanized deep-sea operations.
Facts & tables
- Unsustainable Operational Costs
- High diesel prices (bulk industrial rates) and rising expenses for vessel maintenance, gear, and labor make fishing economically unviable.
- Declining Fish Availability
- Reduced fish stocks in traditional fishing grounds necessitate costly deep-sea fishing expeditions.
- Reduced Fishing Days
- Environmental regulations (e.g., fishing bans for Olive Ridley turtles) and erratic weather conditions (cyclones) significantly shrink the available fishing window.
- Inter-State Disparities in Support
- Fishermen in some states (e.g., Odisha) lack diesel subsidies and fuel support provided in others (e.g., Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat).
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains |
| Conceptual area | Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas |
| Conceptual area | Climate Change & Conventions |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association (OMFPA) | Advocates |
| State Governments (e.g., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat) | Implements |
| Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Central) | Formulates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Terminology-based question
- Rising diesel costs and overall operational expenses for fishing vessels.
- Declining fish stocks in traditional grounds, necessitating deep-sea fishing.
- Reduced fishing days due to environmental bans (e.g., Olive Ridley turtles) and extreme weather events.
- Lack of adequate state-level subsidies and fuel support in some regions compared to others.
- Threat to livelihoods of coastal communities, leading to loan repayment issues and economic distress.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
Timeline
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Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual area
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Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual area
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Climate Change & Conventions
Conceptual area
-
Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
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Odisha marine fishers stop going to sea for fishing due to “abnormal” diesel cost
The marine fisheries sector in India faces significant challenges including escalating operational costs, particularly for fuel, declining fish availability in traditional grounds, and reduced fishing days due to environmental regulations and climate change impacts. These issues, coupled with inadequate government support in some regions, threaten the economic viability and livelihoods of coastal communities.
See also
In the news
Odisha marine fishers stop going to sea for fishing due to “abnormal” diesel cost
The marine fisheries sector in India faces significant challenges including escalating operational costs, particularly for fuel, declining fish availability in traditional grounds, and reduced fishing days due to environmental regulations and climate change impacts. These issues, coupled with inadequate government support in some regions, threaten the economic viability and livelihoods of coastal communities.
Try these PYQs
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations guides its global work through a strategic framework aimed at supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The core organizing principle of this framework is the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to achieve the "Four Betters". The "Four Betters" are officially defined as:
1. Better Production: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
2. Better Nutrition: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving access to healthy diets.
3. Better Environment: Protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
4. Better Life: Promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing inequalities, leaving no one behind. The Blue Transformation is a specific FAO vision and programmatic priority area that aims to secure and maximize the contribution of aquatic food systems (fisheries and aquaculture) to achieve these overarching "Four Betters". Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they include fabricated pillars such as "better ocean", "better coral reefs", "better estuaries", or "better mangrove vegetation", which are not part of the FAO's official strategic framework. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.