Impact of overfishing by large mechanised fishing operations

1. At a Glance

• Overfishing = harvesting marine fish stocks faster than they can naturally replenish; in India, mechanised vessels (trawlers, purse-seiners, gillnetters >20m) contribute the bulk of marine catch [1].
• India has 64,414 mechanical fishing vessels, concentrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka [1].
• Relevant for GS-III (Environment, Fisheries, Blue Economy) and GS-II (Centre–State, governance of commons).
• Examinable angle: CMFRI stock assessment, PMMSY, fishing bans, Article 297 (EEZ).

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 11 Feb 2026 by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying answered Parliament on the impact of overfishing by large mechanised operations and disclosed vessel statistics and CMFRI stock-status [1].
• Companion release on "Catch limits for fishing" (PRID 2226347) issued same day, signalling policy focus on sustainability [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 1950s–60s: Indo-Norwegian Project introduced mechanised trawling in Kerala — start of capital-intensive fishing.
• 1976: Maritime Zones of India Act → declares 200 nm EEZ under Article 297 of the Constitution.
• 1981: Maharashtra/Kerala/TN Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRA) — states legislate within 12 nm; Centre regulates 12–200 nm.
• 2017: National Policy on Marine Fisheries — "ecosystem approach", precautionary principle.
• 2020: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) launched (FY 2020-21 to 2024-25), outlay Rs 20,050 cr [4].
• 2024: CMFRI assessed 135 stocks — 91.1 % found sustainable [3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying → Department of Fisheries [1].
• Apex research body: ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute) [1][3].
• Total mechanised vessels (2026): 64,414 [1].
• Top states: Maharashtra 20,062; Gujarat 18,559; Tamil Nadu 5,029; Karnataka 4,845; Kerala 3,748 [1].
• 2024 marine fish landings: 3.47 million tonnes (↓2 % YoY) — cyclones Dana, Fengal, Remal, Asna cited [3].
• Stock health: 91.1 % of 135 assessed stocks sustainable (2022 assessment) [3].
• Uniform fishing ban: 61 days during monsoon in EEZ (east coast Apr 15–Jun 14; west coast Jun 1–Jul 31) [3].
• PMMSY outlay: Rs 20,050 cr (Centre 9,407 + State 4,880 + Beneficiary 5,763); target 22 MMT fish production by 2024-25 [4].
• Constitutional base: Article 297 (vesting of ocean resources in Union); Entry 21 List II (fisheries within territorial waters — State); Entry 57 List I (fishing beyond territorial waters — Union).

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Marine sector underpins livelihoods of ~28 million fishers; mechanised fleet contributes bulk of the 3.47 MT landings [3].
• Overcapitalisation → declining CPUE (catch per unit effort), rising fuel subsidies, falling margins for small-scale fishers.

Environmental

• Bottom trawling destroys benthic habitat; bull/pair trawling and LED-light fishing banned to curb juvenile mortality [3].
• Bycatch of turtles, dolphins, juveniles → biodiversity loss; climate stress compounds (rising SST, cyclone frequency) [3].

Social

• Conflict between traditional artisanal fishers (<12 nm) and mechanised trawlers; MFRAs enforce zonation.
• Loss of nutrition security in coastal communities as commercially valued species decline.

Legal / Constitutional

• Article 297 vests EEZ resources in Union; Maritime Zones Act 1976 operationalises.
• State MFRAs regulate gear-mesh size, Minimum Legal Size (MLS), engine power, zonation [3].
• WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (2022) — disciplines harmful subsidies; India a signatory.

Administrative

• Federal split: 12 nm = State; 12–200 nm = Centre — creates enforcement gaps.
• Mitigation tools: sea ranching, artificial reefs, mariculture (seaweed) promoted [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 11 Feb 2026 — PIB release on overfishing by mechanised vessels & state-wise fleet data [1].
• 11 Feb 2026 — Parallel PIB release on catch limits for fishing [2].
• 2024 — Marine fish landings 3.47 MT (↓2 %); CMFRI flags cyclone impact [3].
• Sep 2025 — "5 Years of PMMSY" booklet released; deep-sea fishing vessels inaugurated at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai under PMMSY [4].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Total mechanical fishing vessels in India: 64,414 [1].
• State with highest mechanised fleet: Maharashtra (20,062), followed by Gujarat (18,559) [1].
• Apex marine fisheries research body: ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi (under DARE, not MoEFCC) [1].
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (not MoEFCC) [1].
• Uniform monsoon fishing ban duration: 61 days [3].
• 2024 marine fish landings: 3.47 million tonnes [3].
• CMFRI: 91.1 % of 135 assessed stocks found sustainable (2022) [3].
• PMMSY outlay: Rs 20,050 crore, duration 2020-21 to 2024-25 [4].
• PMMSY fish production target: 22 MMT by 2024-25 [4].
• Banned practices: pair trawling, bull trawling, LED-light fishing [3].
• Constitutional vesting of ocean resources: Article 297 of the Constitution.
• EEZ extent: 200 nautical miles under Maritime Zones Act, 1976.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Conservation; Environment; Agriculture allied sectors (fisheries, Blue Economy).
• GS-II — Government policies (PMMSY); Centre–State issues in regulation of commons.
• Possible stems: 1. "Overfishing by large mechanised vessels threatens both ecological sustainability and livelihoods of artisanal fishers. Examine, with reference to PMMSY and CMFRI assessments." (GS-III, 250 words) 2. "Discuss the federal challenges in regulating marine fisheries in India's territorial waters and EEZ." (GS-II, 150 words) 3. "Critically assess the role of seasonal fishing bans and gear restrictions in marine stock conservation." (GS-III, 250 words)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PMMSY — flagship fisheries scheme.
• Blue Economy / Draft Blue Economy Policy — overarching vision.
• CMFRI & FSI (Fishery Survey of India) — institutions.
• WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (2022) — discipline on harmful subsidies.
• Sagarmala & Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 — coastal governance.
• CRZ Notification 2019 — coastal regulation overlap.
• UNCLOS 1982 — EEZ and freedom of fishing on high seas.
• Climate change & marine ecosystems — cyclones, SST, acidification.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry — CMFRI is under ICAR / Ministry of Agriculture (DARE), not Ministry of Fisheries directly, even though policy on fisheries is with the latter.
• Confusing Article 297 (vests ocean resources in Union) with Article 296 (escheat).
• Fishing ban: 61 days uniform monsoon ban — east coast Apr 15–Jun 14 and west coast Jun 1–Jul 31 are different windows, not simultaneous.
• PMMSY outlay Rs 20,050 cr (not Rs 20,000 cr) — break-up Centre/State/Beneficiary [4].
• Mistaking Maharashtra for Gujarat as the largest fleet state — Maharashtra leads in mechanised vessels (20,062) [1].