SDG 14: Life Below Water | SDG 15: Life on Land
Institutions: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
India will soon roll out an onboard electronic observer (e-observer) system for remote monitoring of fishing operations, announced by the Union Fisheries Secretary. The system, being developed by FSI, aims to capture precise scientific data on marine fish catch and operations across vessel types, supporting stock assessment and regulatory compliance under IOTC guidelines. This move builds upon the existing 36,000 fishing vessels already fitted with transponders for real-time tracking under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Because species like tuna and pelagic sharks are migratory, data transparency and cross-border collaboration are essential both for sustainability and to defend India’s seafood exports against trade barriers.
This innovation enhances India’s blue economy governance, strengthens legal and scientific defensibility of marine policies, and helps meet international compliance standards (which exporters often face). It also reduces costs / logistical barriers associated with human observers, and can improve trust with multilateral fisheries bodies. For coastal states and policy makers, this means designing protocols, training, infrastructure (data transmission, analytics), and ensuring vessel compliance (especially small / artisanal fleets).
What is an E-Observer System? → A technological system involving sensors, cameras, or data capture devices installed aboard fishing vessels to remotely monitor catch, bycatch, effort, location, and compliance, reducing reliance on human observers and improving coverage.
What is FSI? → The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is a premier government agency under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Established in 1983, it conducts surveys, stock assessments, and research on India’s marine fisheries resources, providing scientific data for sustainable policy and management.
What is PMMSY? → The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched in 2020, is India’s flagship scheme for fisheries and aquaculture. With an outlay of ₹20,050 crore, it focuses on modernising infrastructure, boosting production, ensuring traceability, reducing post-harvest losses, and doubling fishers’ incomes.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India ensure that the e-observer system is adopted across all fleet segments (large, small, artisanal) without exclusion, and effectively integrate the data into national fisheries management and export defense strategies?
Follow the full news here: PIB Release PRID 2172740