Tides of Transformation

In its course of reviving coastal livelihoods and combating climate change, India's blue economy is sculpting a sustainable marine future through smart harbours and deep-sea governance, among other things

- ABHILAKSH LIKHI

A blue economy encompasses a framework for the sustainable, inclusive, and resilient management of our marine resources. Such an approach is closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 of the United Nations, which emphasises the need to conserve and sustainably use the oceans and seas. During India's 2023 G-20 Presidency too, world leaders committed themselves to mainstreaming the need to build a resilient blue economy. In fact, a key pillar of India's "Viksit Bharat" vision for 2047 is the focus on a robust blue economy with an investment of Rs 8.60 lakh crore.

In this context, fisheries and aquaculture have a major role in leveraging economic development through the nation's extensive 11,098 km coastline and a vast 2.4 million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). India is the second-largest fish-producing country in the world. In addition, it is now also the second-largest nation globally in aquaculture production. The country has witnessed a 103 per cent increase in national fish production since 2013-14, which now stands at a record 195 lakh tons in 2024-25. Our seafood exports have doubled to Rs 60,523 crore.