Overview

• NITI Aayog released a national blueprint positioning deep-sea and offshore fishing as a key Blue Economy growth area beginning in 2025.
• The report estimates 7.16 million tonnes of potential resources yet counts only four Indian-flagged high-seas vessels, compared with 1,883 for Sri Lanka and 1,216 for Iran in the IOTC region.
• It urges comprehensive EEZ legislation and a separate Vessels Act to register deep-sea-capable boats and close regulatory gaps beyond 12 nautical miles.
• The plan outlines phased timelines—2025–28, 2029–32, and 2033 onward—with an indicative cost of Rs 8,330 crore to be financed by converging central fisheries schemes.
• Recommendations include cooperative fleet ownership, time-bound targeted incentives, 10–15 minor deep-sea landing centres, enhanced mapping and surveillance, stronger research, and technology integration across the value chain.