A background note can be accessed here: Central Government Approves Accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fishing Agreement
India’s accession to SIOFA creates opportunities for authorised Indian-flagged vessels to fish for specified high-seas species. What determines whether Indian operators can compete commercially in these fisheries, given the technical and financial requirements of distant-water fishing?
Before commercial operations begin, India should map the technical feasibility, expected returns and SIOFA compliance costs for the Agreement area. Commercial viability will ultimately depend on whether individual voyages generate adequate returns. Most of India's fishing fleet is built for coastal and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) fishing, with limited endurance, cold storage and range, so competing with established high-seas nations calls for a systematic plan and upgrades across the value chain: deep-sea fishing methods, navigation and safety, onboard handling, cold-chain management, quality assurance, traceability, international marketing, and compliance with SIOFA’s Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) and their monitoring requirements.
A dedicated skill development programme should cover the whole chain, bringing together fisheries departments, training institutions and industry, and drawing on the experience of existing SIOFA fishing nations.
Pilot studies should come first, covering biological sampling, catch-rate assessment, bycatch monitoring and independent techno-economic evaluation, to establish which fisheries, vessel designs and operating models are genuinely viable. ICAR-CMFRI can lead this work. A few model vessels should then be deployed, accompanied by training for fisher communities, before the fleet is expanded.
SIOFA members participate in decisions on conservation and management of fisheries beyond national jurisdiction. How should India use its membership to influence fisheries rules when national commercial interests may differ from the scientific assessments and conservation priorities agreed by other members?
India should use its membership to build credibility, with scientific evidence underpinning its positions on quota allocation and fisheries management. It should contribute data, support observer programmes and stock assessments, and invest in domestic expertise in deep-sea taxonomy, stock assessment modelling and methods for assessing data-poor fishery methods, so that it shapes decisions rather than merely reacting to them. As a major Indian Ocean nation with a strong research base, India should field well-prepared scientists and fisheries managers in the Meeting of the Parties, the Scientific Committee, the Compliance Committee and relevant working groups.
Backed by reliable evidence, India should advocate precautionary, ecosystem-based and transparent management, fair participation of developing States and responsible access for new entrants, favouring long-term stock sustainability over short-term catch maximisation. Early engagement and coalitions with developing coastal States and like-minded members will strengthen these positions, while transparent reporting, data sharing and robust monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) will underpin credibility.
To sustain this engagement, the Government should set up a SIOFA technical cell within the Department of Fisheries, drawing on expertise from the Department, scientific organisations and the fishing industry.
The agreement creates a pathway for Indian vessels to expand fishing activity beyond national waters. How should India determine the role of distant-water fishing within its wider fisheries strategy, given the distinct economic and development priorities associated with coastal fisheries, processing and domestic seafood value chains?
Distant-water fishing should complement and remain consistent with India’s domestic fisheries strategy. More than four million people depend on coastal and marine fisheries, so public investment should continue to prioritise their livelihoods through sustainable harvesting, climate-resilient practices, better landing centres, cold chains, processing, value addition and market linkages.
High-seas fishing is capital-intensive and creates fewer jobs per rupee, so its benefits could concentrate among a few large operators. Cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and other collectives can pool capital with scheme support, share risks and operate suitable vessels, helping extend the benefits to fishing households. Support should include skilling and certification for crew, officers and observers, and access to vessels and gear with onboard freezing and processing.
Equally important are harbour and landing facilities, cold storage, value-addition infrastructure, certification and market linkages. Landing high-seas catches in Indian ports can strengthen processing, exports and domestic value chains. Expansion should begin by building links with existing markets, since the main SIOFA species currently have limited domestic market potential without value addition. Managed cautiously and scientifically, accession can become a rewarding new venture for stakeholders.