Blue economy in India supports livelihoods and development

India is the third largest fish producing country, contributing 8 percent to global fish production and playing a significant role in India’s blue economy.

The blue economy in India not only supports the livelihoods of millions, especially in coastal and rural communities, but it also holds immense potential for economic prosperity, rural development, and nutritional benefits.

The blue economy advocates for the sustainable exploitation of ocean resources to fuel economic growth, elevate living standards, and generate employment, all while safeguarding the integrity of marine ecosystems.

This encompasses a diverse array of sectors, including fisheries, maritime transport, marine renewable energy, and coastal tourism, gaining global prominence as a pivotal development strategy.

Historically, India’s commitment to this vision is evident in the Blue Revolution (Neelor Nili Kranti) of 1985-1990. Spearheaded by Hiralal Chaudhuri and Arun Krishnan, this initiative sought to enhance farmers’ incomes through fisheries sector development, with Chaudhuri notably pioneering induced breeding for economically important carp.

Building upon this foundation, India strategically positions the blue economy as a cornerstone of its future prosperity. With a vast coastline exceeding 7,500 kilometers, its maritime domain contributes significantly to the national economy, accounting for approximately 4% of the GDP and facilitating 95% of trade volume.

Recognizing this immense potential, India has launched targeted programs to strengthen and optimize its blue economy, ensuring sustainable and prosperous maritime growth.

Key sectors driving India’s blue economy

Fisheries and aquaculture

In addition to shrimp, India produces a wide range of fish, including carps, catfish, and tilapia, which are vital to the global food supply chain. India’s fisheries sector provides livelihoods for millions, both directly and indirectly.

As the world’s third-largest fish producer, India also contributes to food and nutritional security, both within the country and internationally.

Maritime Transport

Maritime transport forms the bedrock of India’s trade, and a concerted effort is underway to ensure its sustainability.

The government is undertaking strategic initiatives to align India’s maritime industry with ambitious global climate objectives, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050.

Marine tourism

Coastal and island tourism stands as a vital pillar of blue economy in India, generating crucial income for local communities.

However, the sector faces significant challenges– it is important to prioritize eco-friendly tourism practices and foster robust community engagement to ensure a harmonious balance between economic prosperity and pristine coastal environments’ preservation.

Key government initiatives

Launched at the third edition of Global Maritime India Summit in 2023, the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, backed by an Rs. 80,000 lakh crore investment, is one of the transformational initiatives taken in India’s maritime sector.

Building on the Maritime India Vision 2030, this Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways initiative aims to create world-class ports, promote sustainable maritime practices, and expand inland water transport and coastal shipping.

Developed through extensive stakeholder consultations and international benchmarking, the vision outlines over 300 actionable initiatives across logistics, infrastructure, and shipping to drive India’s Blue Economy by 2047.

Some of the popular initiatives undertaken by the government include

Deep Ocean Mission

India is advancing its blue economy through key initiatives such as developing deep-sea mining technology for polymetallic nodules, providing ocean climate change advisory services, exploring deep-sea biodiversity via bio-prospecting, surveying for hydrothermal sulfide sites, pursuing ocean energy and desalination through OTEC, and establishing an advanced marine station to translate research into industrial applications.

Sagarmala Program

The Sagarmala Program is a comprehensive initiative focused on modernizing and enhancing port infrastructure along the country’s extensive 7,516-kilometer coastline. A key objective of the program is to triple cargo traffic, driven by a port-led development strategy.

To facilitate this, the program emphasizes establishing seamless rail and road connections to port terminals, ensuring efficient last-mile connectivity.

Mishti Scheme

India is blessed with the Sundarbans mangrove forests in West Bengal, one of the most extensive mangroves in the world. Apart from Sundarbans, there are a few other mangroves in the region.

Mangroves not only help to protect coastal areas and support biodiversity, they contribute to the livelihoods of local communities through activities such as fishing, agriculture and tourism.

The rich biodiversity attracts tourists due to its unique landscapes, fostering ecotourism opportunities. Sundarbans is famous for its fish and honey collection, a traditional activity practised for centuries.

In 20024, the government launched the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) to restore and promote mangroves as a unique, natural ecosystem and preserve and enhance the sustainability of the coastal habitats.

MISHTI can further support the blue economy in India as it aims to restore mangrove forests by undertaking mangrove reforestation and afforestation measures along the coast of India.

National Fisheries Policy

The government introduced an integrated National Fisheries Policy 2020 to streamline fisheries management, combining marine, inland, mariculture, and post-harvest elements. Coastal aquaculture is regulated through guidelines under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, ensuring environmental responsibility through impact assessments and waste management.

Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) provides financial assistance to traditional fishers, including livelihood support during lean periods, promoting economic stability and resource conservation. Since the launch of the PMMSY in May 2020, the overall fish production has shown a considerable growth.

A key contributor to this growth is the culture-based fishery in India’s vast network of tanks and ponds. The government is investing in expanding rearing and grow-out pond areas, diversifying species and adopting sustainable aquaculture practices.

Additionally, India is focusing on the development of saline water aquaculture, aiming to convert wastelands into productive aquaculture zones.

Cold water fisheries, particularly in the Himalayan states, offer another promising avenue for growth. Cold water fisheries also have the potential to generate significant employment opportunities and contribute to niche markets, particularly for omega-rich trout, which is being promoted as a high-value product across the Himalayan region.

In recent times, seaweed has emerged as a resource to make biofuels, alternatives to single-use plastic bags, as a feedstock for animals, ingredients in cosmetics and pharma, among others.

Recognizing the importance of this marine plant, in October 2024, the Indian government issued guidelines to facilitate the import and enable domestic cultivation.

Seaweeds have potential to emerge as a promising resource to spur blue economy in India. Seaweeds are found along the Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands coasts.

Challenges and Opportunities

While possessing immense potential, blue economy in India confronts critical challenges that demand immediate and strategic action to ensure sustainable growth. These include:

Overfishing: Pervasive overfishing threatens long-term sustainability and delicate balance of marine biodiversity.

Climate Change Impacts: Escalating climate change impacts, including rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and intensified extreme weather events, jeopardize coastal ecosystems.

Marine Pollution: Persistent degradation of ocean health due to marine pollution from plastics, chemicals, and oil spills endangers marine life and coastal livelihoods.

Port Infrastructure Deficits: Significant infrastructure deficits within India’s port systems result in congestion and inefficiencies, impeding maritime trade and coastal development.

Strategic and innovative solutions within the blue economy framework can transform these multifaceted challenges into significant opportunities.

To begin, sustainable fisheries management can be achieved through strengthened regulatory frameworks and the adoption of advanced technologies. Furthermore, climate resilience can be bolstered through targeted investments in renewable marine energy and robust coastal infrastructure.

Finally, enhanced pollution control can be realized through rigorous environmental regulations coupled with groundbreaking innovations in waste management and pollution remediation.

Cruising the way

Blue economy in India presents a vital pathway to sustainable development, offering substantial economic and environmental benefits.

By prioritizing responsible marine resource management, India can create millions of jobs, particularly in coastal regions, and drive economic growth through sectors like renewable energy and biotechnology.

Continued investment in research, infrastructure, and international collaboration, alongside a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices, will solidify India’s leadership in the global blue economy.