Published: 12 October 2025Economy
India's Blue Economy: NITI Aayog Report Highlights Deep-Sea Fisheries Potential
NITI Aayog released a comprehensive report on India's Blue Economy, focusing on deep-sea and offshore fisheries development. India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) holds 7.16 million tonnes of potential fish resources, but only 4 Indian vessels currently operate in high seas.
The report recommends drafting an EEZ Fisheries Act, modernising the fishing fleet, and establishing a Deep-Sea Fishing Authority. Key challenges include regulatory gaps, infrastructure deficit, and high operational costs. India's total fish production stands at approximately 17.5 million tonnes, contributing ₹1.75 lakh crore to the economy and providing livelihoods to over 28 million fishers.
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Linked questionMedium
With reference to the NITI Aayog report on India's Blue Economy released in October 2025, consider the following statements:
1. India's Exclusive Economic Zone holds 7.16 million tonnes of potential fish resources.
2. Only 4 Indian vessels currently operate in high seas.
3. The report recommends drafting an EEZ Fisheries Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation · Correct answer DAll three statements are correct as per the NITI Aayog report on India's Blue Economy. India's EEZ holds 7.16 million tonnes of potential fish resources, only 4 Indian vessels operate in high seas, and the report recommends drafting an EEZ Fisheries Act, modernising the fishing fleet, and establishing a Deep-Sea Fishing Authority.
Frequently asked questions
What does NITI Aayog's Blue Economy report say about India's deep-sea fisheries potential?
**NITI Aayog's Blue Economy report highlighted that India has vast untapped potential in deep-sea fisheries**, with Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters extending over **2.37 million square kilometres**. Deep-sea fishing could significantly boost **GDP contributions from the marine fisheries sector**, currently valued at over ₹1.5 lakh crore.
What is India's Blue Economy and what sectors does it include?
**India's Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth**, covering sectors like **fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, shipping, ports, offshore energy, and coastal tourism**. NITI Aayog's report estimated the Blue Economy contributes approximately **4% of India's GDP** with potential to double.
What is India's Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ size and its Blue Economy significance?
India's **Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends over 2.37 million square kilometres** in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea. This vast maritime territory contains **significant fish stocks, polymetallic nodules, gas hydrates, and offshore energy resources** that form the backbone of India's Blue Economy potential.
What is Deep Sea Mission India and how does it relate to Blue Economy?
**India's Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)** is a ₹4,077 crore programme approved in 2021 to explore deep-sea resources, develop deep-sea technologies, and study marine biodiversity. It directly supports the **Blue Economy strategy by enabling exploration of mineral-rich seabeds** and advancing India's manned submersible capability to **6,000 metre depths**.
What are the main policy recommendations in NITI Aayog's Blue Economy report for India?
NITI Aayog's Blue Economy report recommends **modernising the fishing fleet, developing a Blue Economy Index, establishing marine spatial planning frameworks, and increasing investment in port-led coastal development**. It also calls for **better data collection on ocean resources and integration of Blue Economy into national accounting** systems.
