Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Indian Ocean: The Way Forward

Abstract

The Oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface and contains 97% of the planet’s water. This is the life support system of the earth. The Ocean is the main protein supplier for the humankind. The Indian Ocean is a warm water ocean and well regulated by monsoons and currents. Large number of rivers and tributaries flow into this ocean, making it rich with minerals, seaweeds and planktons, which sustain the fish stocks. Man-made pollution and climate change can be detrimental to the sustenance of a balanced marine eco-system. Further, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing combined with destructive fishing methods can deplete this valuable protein source. Issues and conflicts in delimitation of maritime boundaries and fishermen not respecting even internationally or bilaterally established maritime boundaries are impediments to effective fisheries management. The Indian Ocean is vast and the third largest ocean in the world. The population of the Indian Ocean is around 2.5 billion. However, we must be mindful of the need to have a sustainable ocean based economic model, that will not over exploit the finite fishery resources but will continue to provide the much-needed protein sources to this large population, not only at present times but even in the future. Non-management of fisheries by states and non-adherence to rule based maritime order by non-state actors engaged in fisheries could have ramifications on traditional and human security aspects for the region. Fishing boats and some fishermen could be involved with various maritime crime activities for monetary or ideological gains, and, depletion of fisheries resources due to overfishing can have a direct impact on human security of the Indian Ocean littorals, as the main livelihood and economic activities of the coastal populations are connected to the ocean based resources. There were many instances of the fishermen being exploited by terrorist groups. Hence the management of fisheries in a sustainable manner is important for the Indian Ocean, as the peaceful co-existence of the nations depends on the continued Blue Economic models where the fisheries is managed and harvested in a sustainable manner.

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