Sustainable fisheries bring along multiple benefits. They help in keeping fish populations healthy, because if the fish consumed by humans is not safe and causes sickness, people will stop buying it. This will not only result in the loss of income for fishermen, but also harm human health. So, both need to be protected.
These fisheries ensure that fish populations remain balanced, which gives us a steady supply of seafood and also protects global food security. At the same time, marine ecosystems are preserved. Harmful practices like dumping chemicals or using destructive nets are controlled. Many nets earlier contained metals or harmful chemicals which polluted the water bodies and caused great harm to the marine life. Preventing these practices helps the ecosystem to a great extent. Healthy oceans also contribute to climate regulation. In fact, everything in nature is linked; fish, water, climate, people. Each and every one depends on the other. Taking care of fishes, means we are also taking care of Mother Nature and creating a better environment.
Now, one question might arise: how did fisheries management even come into existence? The answer lies in history itself. During the mid-20th century, industrial fishing grew rapidly because once something comes into trend, people begin investing on it on a huge scale. With the use of big nets and advanced technology, overfishing became a serious issue. This led to habitat destruction, and by the 1970s and 80s, scientists and governments noticed that fish stocks were collapsing. Just like we discover global warming today and plan solutions, at that time scientists realized the imbalance caused by overfishing.
To address this issue, countries and organizations started creating rules. The first big step was the 1972 United Nations Conference on Human Environment, which made people start taking marine life seriously. Then in 1982, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) gave countries rights and responsibilities for managing fisheries in their waters. Later in 1995, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries emphasized sustainability; balancing biodiversity, people’s needs, and marine ecosystems. Since then, most countries have been following these principles because fisheries are indirectly linked up into trade, business, livelihoods, and the health of nature.
If we compare this to energy, just like renewable energy came into existence because non-renewable sources were depleting, sustainable fisheries management came as a response to overfishing, collapsing fish stocks, and biodiversity loss. It was basically a solution to rectify things and restore the balance.
To understand why this management is so important today, we must look at the factors affecting ocean health. One big factor is overfishing, people catch fish in such huge quantities that it creates scarcity. Then comes pollution. Plastic waste, sewage, and litter thrown into rivers and seas pollute water bodies and affect marine life. Industrial and agricultural chemicals run off into the water, poisoning fish and killing marine animals.
Climate change is another major threat. Rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching and habitat loss. Melting ice affects polar ecosystems. Sea levels rise, tides increase, and rainfall patterns become extreme. For example, in India this year, rainfall has exceeded the normal level and caused floods across many areas. These are all signs of nature’s imbalance.
We also have ocean acidification; when oceans absorb excess CO2 from the atmosphere, the water becomes acidic, harming marine life. Habitat destruction and invasive species (species transported accidentally through ships or introduced intentionally) also disturb the natural balance. Ultimately, human activities are the biggest cause of ocean degradation, and that is why sustainable fisheries management has become so essential nowadays.
Even students are made aware of these issues. In schools, children are taught not to waste water, not to pollute, and not to contaminate water bodies. So, indirectly, from a very young age, we are tutored about pollution and the importance of balance in nature. But the real ways to prevent it are not always understood. The truth is that no problem can be solved by just banning it completely. For example, if someone has a disease in their hand, they cannot simply cut off the entire hand. That is not the solution. They have to go through treatment and therapy to heal it. Similarly, we cannot just ban people from eating fish. Millions depend on fishing as their occupation or even as a hobby. If we put a complete ban, it will create unemployment, food scarcity, and even lead to negative outcomes like theft or crime. So, the better approach towards managing this crisis is fisheries management which is going to create a balance for both fish populations and human needs are also taken care of.
Ocean health has degraded a lot over time. Earlier, the population was small and seafood consumption was less maybe around 2%. But now it has risen to around 20–25%. The higher the demand, the greater the stress on oceans. Just like we set up instruments in factories to control air pollution, fisheries management acts as an instrument to protect marine resources. If we want to save our planet for the next generation, we need to follow such management systems, because they not only protect nature but also teach us how to manage resources responsibly.
Now, has India been part of this initiative?
Of course, yes. India has played a very important role. The Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) are two key initiatives. PMMSY, was officially launched in 2015-16 ( but it was officially launched in 2020) with a ₹3,000 crore central outlay. Later, in 2020, the government launched a flagship program of ₹20,050 crore to modernize the fisheries sector.
The achievements have been huge: support to 14 lakh fisher families, marine exports worth ₹57,586 crore in 2021–22, construction of harbors and landing centers, better post-harvest facilities, and digital strengthening. Fishermen have also been provided Kisan Credit Cards since 2018–19. Technology like tracking, communication, and online vessel licensing has been introduced to monitor and safeguard fisheries.
Under PMMSY, climate-smart technologies like BioFloc, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), artificial reefs, and resilient coastal villages have been promoted. The NICRA (National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture) supports climate adaptation and fisheries research. The ground efforts include artificial reef installations in Kerala with ₹13.02 crore approved, marine protection forces in Tamil Nadu to safeguard turtles, and fish farming initiatives in conflict zones like Gumla, Jharkhand, where former militants turned to fish farming. These steps show how management has been linked with empowerment and conservation.
So, when we put everything together, the conclusion becomes as clear as water. Just like how a nation functions when the Prime Minister, President, Cabinet, MPs, and MLAs all work together, the ocean system also needs collective effort. Governments, fishermen, scientists, and citizens everyone has to contribute to protecting marine life. Fish populations must remain abundant for ecosystems to survive. Sustainable fisheries management, therefore, is not just a policy but a privilege, a responsibility we must uphold for the balance of nature and for future generations.
Article by Sruti Bhaumik