Centre Highlights Measures to Regulate Fish Catch and Protect Marine Stocks

New Delhi: The Government of India has reiterated its commitment to sustainable and responsible fishing practices, citing a series of regulatory and conservation measures implemented in collaboration with coastal states. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh outlined steps taken to prevent juvenile fishing and protect marine resources, including commercially important species such as pomfret. The ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has recommended Minimum Legal Size (MLS) norms for key fish species. Based on these scientific inputs, advisories have been issued to states and Union Territories to enforce mesh-size regulations and MLS provisions under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs). States such as Kerala and Maharashtra have already notified MLS standards, including for pomfrets. CMFRI also conducts periodic stock assessments along the Indian coast. According to the Marine Fish Stock Status (MFSS) Report, 2022, around 91.1% of India’s marine fish stocks are currently classified as healthy, reflecting the positive impact of science-based management. To safeguard traditional livelihoods, specific coastal zones have been reserved for non-mechanised and small-scale motorised fishing vessels, with mechanised trawlers barred from operating in these areas in several states. In response to declining Silver Pomfret (Pampus argenteus) stocks, Maharashtra has declared the species its ‘State Fish’ and notified MLS regulations to prevent juvenile harvest. Additionally, destructive fishing practices such as bull/pair trawling and the use of LED lights have been prohibited in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A uniform 61-day annual fishing ban during peak breeding seasons remains in force on both coasts. Financial assistance is provided under the PMMSY scheme to support traditional fisher families during the ban period.