Government says over 91% of assessed marine fish stocks are sustainable as PMMSY promotes conservation, deep-sea fishing and alternative livelihoods for coastal communities.

Key Highlights

• 91.1% of India’s assessed marine fish stocks are classified as sustainable, according to ICAR-CMFRI.
• No significant decline in trawl-based fish landings recorded between 2021 and 2025.
• PMMSY supports artificial reefs, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), sea ranching and mariculture.
• Coastal states continue to regulate fishing through Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs).
• ICAR-CMFRI monitors marine fisheries through 1,300+ landing centres across India’s coastline.

Government Says India’s Marine Fish Stocks Remain Healthy, Strengthens Support for Traditional Fishers

New Delhi, July 28: India’s marine fish resources remain largely sustainable, with 91.1% of assessed fish stocks found to be in healthy condition, according to the latest assessment by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI).

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying informed the Lok Sabha that trawl-based fish landings have shown no significant decline between 2021 and 2025, indicating continued stability in marine fisheries despite increasing fishing activity.

The findings are based on the Marine Fish Stock Status of India (2022) report, which assessed 135 fish stocks across different regions of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

PMMSY Focuses on Sustainable Fisheries

The government said the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is supporting conservation measures designed to protect marine biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities.

Key initiatives under the scheme include:

• Installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets to reduce accidental sea turtle mortality.
• Development of artificial reefs to improve fish habitats and replenish marine resources.
• Sea ranching programmes to enhance fish stocks.
• Promotion of deep-sea fishing vessels to reduce pressure on nearshore fisheries.
• Expansion of open-sea cage culture, mariculture and seaweed farming as alternative livelihood options.

The Ministry said these interventions are intended to balance conservation with income generation for traditional fishers.

States Continue to Regulate Coastal Fishing

The government reiterated that fisheries is a State subject, with each coastal state enforcing its own Marine Fishing Regulation Act (MFRA) for territorial waters extending up to 12 nautical miles from the coastline.

These regulations typically include:

• Zoning for traditional and mechanised fishing vessels.
• Seasonal fishing bans.
• Mesh-size and fishing gear regulations.
• Minimum legal catch sizes.
• Restrictions on juvenile fishing.
• Ban on destructive fishing practices such as pair trawling, bull trawling and the use of artificial or LED fishing lights.

These measures aim to ensure long-term sustainability of marine resources while protecting the interests of small-scale fishing communities.

Scientific Monitoring Across India’s Coastline

The Ministry said ICAR-CMFRI carries out continuous scientific monitoring of marine fisheries using an internationally accepted sampling methodology recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The institute collects fisheries data from more than 1,300 fish landing centres along India’s 11,000-kilometre coastline, generating long-term datasets used to assess fish stocks, fishing effort and ecosystem changes.

ICAR-CMFRI also undertakes national research programmes on:

• Marine biodiversity.
• Benthic ecosystem health.
• Trophic interactions.
• Environmental impacts of bottom trawling.

The findings help guide fisheries management and conservation policies across the country.

Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Impact

Healthy marine fish stocks are critical for India’s coastal hospitality economy, ensuring a sustainable supply of seafood for hotels, restaurants, beach resorts and cruise operators. Continued conservation efforts through artificial reefs, responsible fishing practices and mariculture can improve long-term seafood availability while supporting the growing demand for sustainably sourced seafood in the hospitality sector.

For tourism destinations such as Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, sustainable fisheries help preserve coastal ecosystems that attract visitors while supporting seafood-led culinary tourism, recreational fishing experiences and community-based coastal tourism. The government’s emphasis on scientific fisheries management also aligns with the increasing global focus on sustainable tourism and responsible food sourcing.