Fishing

Indian Coast Guard seizes Pakistani boat, 11 crew for illegal fishing

The coast guard said the boats were intercepted during an operation carried out on December 10

Rahul Gandhi urges fair prices, better safety for fishing communities

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday hailed fishing communities across India and called for ensuring for them better safety, fair prices, modern facilities and the "respect and dignity they truly deserve". "On World Fisheries Day, my heart is with our fishing communities across India -- from the vast coasts of our seas to the rivers, lakes, and backwaters that flow through our land," the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said on X. "You keep our plates full and our economy moving. You are the guardians of our waters, the keepers of age-old wisdom, and an inseparable part of India's cultural fabric," Gandhi said. He said he stands with the fishing communities of the country today and every day. "Let us ensure better safety, fair prices, modern facilities, clean and healthy rivers and seas, good education for your children, and the respect and dignity you truly deserve," the former Congress chief said. World Fisheries Day, observed on November 21, underscores the critical role

Indian Coast Guard seizes 3 Bangladeshi boats, 79 crew for illegal fishing

All three boats and their crew members were handed over to the West Bengal Marine Police in Frazerganj for further legal action

Nine missing after Chinese fishing boat capsizes off South Korea coast

South Korean rescue workers were searching Monday for nine missing crew members after a Chinese fishing boat capsized off the country's southwestern coast. South Korea's Coast Guard said two crew members were rescued by a nearby cargo vessel after their boat capsized about 150 kilometres southwest of Eocheong island, off the port city of Gunsan. Patrol vessels and aircraft were continuing to search for the missing. The accident came a day after South Korean officials responded to the capsizing of another Chinese fishing boat in international waters about 80 kilometres west of South Korea's southwestern Gageo island, which killed at least two crew members. South Korean officials rescued six others from that boat and were continuing their search for three missing crew members on Monday.

Centre announces new deep-sea fishing rules to empower small fishers

The revised norms seek to tap high-value tuna resources that remain largely underutilised, even as neighbouring countries harvest them extensively in the Indian Ocean region

Bihar Assembly elections: Why parties are fishing for Mallah vote

Extremely Backward Classes vote equally key to INDIA and NDA

Odisha imposes 7-month fishing ban to protect nesting Olive Ridley turtles

The Odisha government on Saturday imposed a seven-month-long ban on sea fishing activity within 20 km of the coast at the river mouths of Dhamra, Devi and Rusikulya as part of its annual Olive Ridley turtle conservation programme, officials said. The ban on sea-fishing, however, remains enforced round-the-year in the Gahirmatha coast, which is widely regarded as the largest habitation corridor of these highly endangered marine species. Besides, Gahirmatha has been accorded the status of a marine sanctuary in view of the congregation of turtles, said forest officials. The ban on sea fishing activity would remain effective from November 1 to May 31. It ensures the safety of marine animals during their breeding and mating season, said officials, adding that the ban has been clamped in accordance with Sections 2, 7 and 4 of Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 and provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The ban will be strictly implemented as it is done every year to

IMD issues cyclone alert in Andaman & Nicobar Islands; heavy rains likely

Authorities have also issued local port warnings, and heavy rains are likely in the islands until October 23

Still dreaming of the deep sea: India's blue economy and its blind spots

If India truly has such promise in the deep sea, why has modern fishing there never taken off?

NITI Aayog calls for rapid expansion, mordenisation of fishing fleet

NITI Aayog has called for rapid expansion and mordenization of the fishing fleet and expanding market access, to promote the country's blue economy. The Aayog has also pitched for scaling up operations and strengthening monitoring and surveillance mechanism. The report titled 'India's Blue Economy' emphasised on the need of capacity building and research in this field. It also noted that choice of technique must be carefully aligned with the target species, vessel capabilities, and regulatory frameworks that promote sustainable fishing practices. To promote fish exports, the report also called for establishing framework and addressing critical infrastructure gaps. India has an extensive maritime area, with a coastline stretching over 11,098 km across nine coastal states and four union territories. The country has a long history of marine fishing with a focus traditionally on coastal and inshore resources. The thriving fisheries sector contributes significantly to the national ec

India to launch e-observer system for remote monitoring of fishing: Govt

Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi on Monday said the central government will soon come up with an onboard electronic observer system for remote monitoring and recording of marine fish catch. This is aimed at providing accurate scientific data for stock assessment and management by monitoring fishing operations across various vessel types, he said. Likhi highlighted India's efforts to strengthen its fisheries data management system while inaugurating a five-day global workshop on species identification organized by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and Fishery Survey of India (FSI) here. According to him, electronic monitoring and efficient data collection on tuna and tuna-like fish catches and fishing activities are critical to improve the management of these fisheries in accordance with the IOTC guidelines, which mandates observer coverage and electronic monitoring. The e-observer is being developed by the FSI, under the Fisheries Ministry. Apart from a conservation

WTO's long-awaited global agreement to curb overfishing takes effect

A World Trade Organisation agreement aimed at reducing overfishing took effect Monday, requiring countries to reduce subsidies doled out to fishing fleets and aiming to ensure sustainability of wildlife in the world's seas and oceans. Following a string of national approvals more than three years after its adoption, the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is designed to help limit the depletion of fish stocks caused by excessive fishing. The Geneva-based trade body touts the deal as its first focusing on the environment, and the first broad and binding multilateral agreement on ocean sustainability. The deal, championed by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, formally took effect on Monday after four more countries Brazil, Kenya, Tonga and Vietnam adopted it. The approvals mean 112 countries are on board, clearing by one country the requirement that at least two-thirds of WTO's 166 members give formal acceptance. China, the United States, and the European Union's 27-member

India's marine fish landings drop 2% to 3.47 million tonnes in 2024

India's marine fish landings dropped by 2% in 2024, with Kerala witnessing a 4% fall. Gujarat remained the largest producer, while disruptions from cyclones and heatwaves affected fishing activities

India's marine fish catch dips 2% in 2024, Gujarat leads landings

India's marine fish catch fell slightly in 2024 to 3.47 million tonnes, down two per cent from the previous year, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) said on Monday. Gujarat landed the most fish for the year at 754,000 tonnes, followed by Tamil Nadu with 679,000 tonnes and Kerala with 610,000 tonnes, CMFRI said in its annual estimates. Indian mackerel topped the catch list at 263,000 tonnes, followed by oil sardine at 241,000 tonnes. Across the country, landings of mackerel, threadfin breams, oil sardine, ribbonfish, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods fell from 2023 levels. But catches of lesser sardines, penaeid shrimps, anchovies and tuna increased. While the west coast region suffered an overall decrease in landings, the east coast showed an increasing trend, with exceptions in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, it said. Maharashtra registered the highest growth of 47 per cent compared to the previous year. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha also saw notable .

Sikkim's fisheries sector thriving, has engaged over 2,000 families: CM

The fisheries sector in Sikkim is thriving, with over 2,000 families engaged in pisciculture, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said on Thursday. In his message on National Fish Farmers' Day, Tamang said the sector has become a significant contributor to self-employment, food security, and the local economy. The government's initiative to promote sustainable fisheries has led to the adoption of modern aquaculture technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems and biofloc, he said. "The youth of Sikkim are showing increasing interest in adopting modern aquaculture technologies, indicating a promising future for the fisheries sector. The government's plan to introduce Organic Fish Farming aligns with the state's organic vision and will create new market opportunities for farmers," he said. "The government's support for fish farmers has enabled them to emerge as torchbearers of innovation and resilience. Fish farming has become a profitable and sustainable livelihood for many, ...

No intention of ceding Katchatheevu island, says Lankan foreign minister

Sri Lanka has no intention to cede the Katchatheevu island, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said, calling the "rumblings" in India an issue between the political parties there. We have our diplomatic channels open to resolve the issue, but what is certain is Sri Lanka will never agree to let go of a part of Sri Lanka which is Katchatheevu and established so by international law," Herath on Thursday told Sirasa TV in response to a question on frequent arrests of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. Fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on June 27 said the issue of Sri Lanka arresting Indian fishermen stems from an agreement during the Emergency, imposed in 1975, under which their rights for fishing in some specific areas were given up. Herath, however, brushed off the issue, saying that "rumblings" over the Katchatheevu issue are "political sparring ...

New gas project off Senegal sparks fears among local fishing communities

It's impossible to miss the gas platform off the coast of northern Senegal. Its flare stack burns day and night above the rolling breakers. The natural gas project, a joint venture between British energy giant BP and US-based Kosmos Energy, started operations on the final day of 2024. It is meant to bring jobs to the densely populated fishing community of Guet Ndar, just outside the old colonial capital of Saint Louis. The gas extraction plant, the deepest in Africa, is aimed at helping to transform Senegal's stagnant economy after the discovery just over a decade ago of oil and gas off the country's coast. The first offshore oil project also began last year. Fishermen say the project is killing their livelihoods Mariam Sow, one of the few remaining sellers in the once-thriving fish market, said the decline began in 2020 when the platform started rising from the sea. This market used to be full every day, Sow said, gesturing at the barren lot. The nearby beach is now occupied by .

PM Modi reviews fisheries sector plans with focus on deep-sea, exports

The fisheries sector in India plays a crucial role in supporting rural livelihoods and contributing to the country's national economy

Set up Indian Council for Fisheries to tap sector's full potential: Panel

The Council on Fisheries as per the Panel would not only facilitate focussed and in-depth research, but also address the challenges faced by the fishery sector

SL Navy arrests 32 Indian fishermen, seizes 5 boats for suspected poaching

The Navy has so far this year arrested 131 Indian fishermen and held 18 fishing boats for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters, the statement said