January 2000

LOCATION OF MAIN LANDING PLACES

Over 1 400 small fish landing centres exist in India, scattered in coastal areas, where traditional and motorized craft land marine catches. There are 6 major fishing harbours and 41 minor fishing harbours serving medium-sized and deep-sea vessels. In addition, there are 138 fish landing centres where modern facilities are provided by Union and State Governments for fish landing. The fisher population of India is currently 5.96 million, which includes full-time, part-time and occasional fishermen. There were 191 207 traditional craft, 31 726 motorized traditional craft and 46 918 mechanized boats fishing in Indian waters. Total annual fish production – marine and inland combined – is 5.39 million tonne. In view of the large number of landing centres, the marine catch is assessed on a state rather than individual port basis.

In general the management objectives aim to increase the annual per caput availability of fish to about 11 kg. This will involve the adoption of an integrated approach to marine capture, inland capture and aquaculture fisheries.

Marine

To enhance efficiency of traditional fishing craft, motorization using out-board motors is recommended, and a scheme exists to provide 50% of the cost of the engine in the form of a subsidy from state and central agencies to poor fishermen. Intermediate range fishing vessels (15-19 m LOA) will be introduced, and diversification of the existing trawler fleet will be encouraged. Substantial support is given by the central government to the state governments to procure patrol boats to carry out surveillance in territorial waters, thus safeguarding the interests and safety of traditional fishermen.

A number of fish saving and exclusion devices, including turtle-exclusion devices (TEDs) have been introduced to protect endangered species and facilitate the escape of juveniles from shrimp trawls. A number of maritime states have introduced closed seasons for fishing, on both east and west coasts, for stock enhancement.

Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing is a major policy decision taken to protect important fish stocks. Attention will be paid both to responsible husbandry of marine resources through conservation of aquatic resources and genetic diversity, and more efficient utilization through product development, value addition and prevention of post-harvest losses. This implies improving infrastructure for fish landing sites and implementation of HACCP in seafood processing.

Inland

Conservation of natural germplasm in India’s rivers, lakes and estuaries is identified as a thrust area. Under the aegis of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), a National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) was set up for this purpose in Lucknow. A National Research Centre for Coldwater Fisheries (NRCCWF) was also set up, at Bhimtal in Uttar Pradesh, for development of hatcheries and production under controlled condition of the many local species facing stock depletion. Large-scale ranching programmes for enhancing fish production are operated by state fisheries departments, and include releasing fingerlings to rivers, reservoirs and lakes.

A large number of Fish Farmers Development Agencies are now operational in all states. During 1998-99, more than 30 000 ha of water areas were expected to be brought under fish culture, and approximately 35 000 fish farmers were to have been trained. This scheme is going to be expanded in a substantial way through provision of central government assistance in the 9^th Five-Year Plan period.

Reservoirs will be developed to improve fish yield, and river valley projects will be impact-assessed for fisheries effects. Pollution is receiving increased attention through monitoring and surveillance of inland and coastal waters. As a service function, feed and seed production are being enhanced, and fish disease monitoring laboratories are being established.

Integrated coastal aquaculture

Development of brackish-water areas for shrimp farming was introduced as a centrally sponsored scheme in the 7^th Five-Year Plan. The scheme provides financial support to different categories of small-scale shrimp farmers for establishment of farmers and hatcheries. The scheme also gives training in shrimp farming. During the 8^th Plan, the scheme was renamed as Integrated Coastal Aquaculture. Under this scheme, Brackish-water Fish Farmers Development Agencies (BFDAs) were set up in all mariculture states and union territories.

A shrimp and fish culture project, with World Bank assistance, became operational in May 1992. It aims to develop about 3 810 ha of brackish-water areas and 51 000 ha of reservoirs and ox-bow lakes in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The scheme is fully operational, and about 90% of the operational works are completed in many states, with 91 reservoirs and 11 ox-bow lakes already developed for fish culture.

Environmental considerations have led to a more conservative approach to shrimp farming and many intensive farms in coastal areas have closed.

Infrastructure

To assist marine product processors, fishing harbours are being developed at both major and minor ports to provide adequate infrastructure, including brackish-water dredging, wharf reclamation, auction halls, workshop facilities, canteens, and hygiene and sanitation facilities to European Community standards. Under this scheme, a 100% Central grant is given to Port Trusts for construction of major fishing harbours and 50% grant to state governments for minor fishing harbours. Since the inception of the scheme, the central government has approved two major fishing harbours, 45 minor fishing harbours and 153 fishing harbours. Currently, all major harbours are operational and construction about 80% complete for the minor harbours and landing centres.

Welfare programme for fishermen

This scheme provides financial support to development of model fishing villages, an accident insurance scheme for active fishermen, and savings-cum-relief for marine fishermen. All active fishermen are insured against death or permanent or partial disability. Fisheries training and extension programmes are effectively operational at national level as a welfare measure for fishermen.

In general, through technical and financial support for developing aquaculture and post-harvest technologies, action is being taken to improve the welfare of women, weaker sections and tribals employed in fishing.

ROLE OF FISHERIES IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

Fisheries play an important role in the national economy, providing full- or part-time employment for 5.96 million people. The contribution of fisheries to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the current price level is 1.3%. There are 10 363 registered fisheries societies in India, with a membership of 1 122 000. It is also a major sector contributing to foreign exchange earnings. During 1997-98, the estimated foreign exchange earning was about US$ 1 200 million. The country exports annually around 385 800 tonne of processed seafoods.

INVESTMENTS IN FISHERIES

Investments are outlined as a five-year plan budget. The 9^th Five-Year Plan (1997-2002) covers sector allocation at both state and central levels, with substantial allocation to improved management and R&D activities. Fisheries outlay has shown substantial increase since independence. During the 1^st Five-Year Plan, it was only Rs 51.3 million, compared with the 9^th Five-Year Plan’s proposed allocation for development of around Rs 8 000 million.

The central sector schemes have a budget of Rs 1 144 million, covering human resources development, post-harvest sector, development of fishing harbours, brackish-water shrimp farming, extension and resource assessment. An allocation of Rs 160 million is for an externally aided project for shrimp and fish farming, with support from the World Bank.

There are a number of centrally sponsored schemes operational nationwide, including provision of infrastructure for deep-sea fishing, semi-intensive shrimp farming, welfare of fishermen, civic amenities to fishers, setting up of cold storage facilities, marketing, etc. The outlay proposed for these schemes is very large, amounting to Rs 3 930 million.

During the 9^th Five-Year Plan, Rs 8.23 million was approved for new schemes to be initiated. The schemes include development of inland capture fisheries, and development of landing centres and harbours. A new scheme was initiated for development of aquaculture in hill regions.

R&D activities are covered by ICAR. The allocation for this is Rs 1 250 million, covering eight ICAR Institutes.

MAIN FISHERIES REGULATIONS

National

Article 246, Fisheries, of the constitution of India makes it a subject for State List no. 21. This means that all laws and regulations related to fishing, fish marketing, fishers’ welfare, etc., have to be framed by the state legislatures.

Article 297 has redefined powers with regard to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as

"Things of value within territorial waters or continental shelf and resources of the EEZ to vest in the Union of India and will be held for the purpose of the Union."

Marine fishing regulations

National

Maritime zones of India (Regulation of fishing foreign vessels Act, 1981, No. 42 of 1981 dated 28^th September 1981.)

In this act, chapters 1 to 4 clearly define the rules regarding definition of maritime zones of India and granting permission to fishing by Indian or foreign vessels in the EEZ of the country.

Under Chapter 3, §2(a), the country reserves the right to

"Seize and detain such vessel, including any fishing gear, fish, equipment, stores or cargo found on board such vessel or belonging to the vessel and seize and detain any fishing gear abandoned by the vessel".

Chapter 4 describes offences and penalties, and. chapter 5 covers all miscellaneous items.

State

Fishing vessels operating in territorial waters in the sea along the coastline of a State are regulated by the laws passed by the Legislative Assembly of that State, following the procedure of introduction a bill and its passing. It becomes a law after getting the requisite formal approval by Parliament and the President of India, as prescribed by the Constitution of India, and will be notified by a Gazette notification.

A typical example is The Andhra Pradesh Gazette notification Part IV-A, extraordinary No. 27 dt. December 27, 1993, Hyderabad. Sub. : Regulation of fishing by fishing vessels in the territorial waters in the coastline of Andhra Pradesh.

All maritime States in India have similar laws for fishing and other related fisheries activities, for enforcement of closed seasons, mesh regulation, welfare of fishermen, aquaculture, etc. The state governments also reserve the right to enact any law in the concerned subject by introduction of a bill in the assembly and its approval as prescribed by the Constitution of India.

A unified regime was expected to be introduced to impose an annual closed period of 65 days on the west coast and 45 days on the east coast.

India’s EEZ has been closed to foreign vessels.

Aquaculture Authority of India

Following the directions of the Honourable Supreme Court, the Government of India issued a Gazette notification (No. 76 dated 06.02.1997) regarding the constitution of the Aquaculture Authority of India. Subsequently, The Aquaculture Authority Bill, 1997 (Bill No. XVII-C of 1997) was presented in the Parliament and passed by the Rajya Sabha [Upper House of the Indian Parliament] on 20 March 1997.

Membership of the Aquaculture Authority of India

As notified in the Gazette, the following members of the Authority have been appointed by the Central Government: a retired Judge of the High Court (Chair); an expert in the field of Aquaculture (member); an expert in the field of pollution control (member); an expert in the field of environmental protection (member); a representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (member); a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture (member); a representative of Ministry of Commerce (member); and one other (to be appointed by the Central Government (member and Secretary).

Powers of the Aquaculture Authority of India

The Authority shall exercise powers under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act for issuing directions and for taking measures with respect to the matters referred to in Clauses (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) and (xi) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the said Act.

GROWTH OF POPULATION, AND SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF FISH

It was estimated that India's population would pass the 1 000 million mark by the year 2000, and by 2020 it might reach 1 400 million if appropriate measures are not taken to control population growth. Demand for fish is likely to increase in the coming years and at its present level in GDP (4%) the demand would be around 9.5 million tonne. Fish production in 1998 was around 5.4 million tonne, so the country would have to double its fish production by 2020 in order to supply fish at the present level of fish consumption. According to a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, around 56% of the Indian population are fish eaters and the per caput consumption is now estimated to be 9.5 kg/year. The projected population growth and demand for fish for 2020 are given in Tables 2 and 3.

In India, although fishery is a State subject, there is greater involvement by the Union Government in fisheries management. Fisheries come under the Agricultural Ministry, and a number of institutions and R&D organization are involved.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is a Statutory Body, constituted in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972 (No.13 of 1972) with the objective to promote the development of the marine products industry, with special reference to export.