Blue Economy: Concepts, Initiatives and Policies in India

The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable utilization of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. Unlike traditional ocean economies focused solely on resource extraction, the Blue Economy balances marine industrialization with environmental conservation. India possesses a vast maritime advantage with a 7,516.6 km coastline, 1,382 offshore islands, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering over 2 million square kilometers. Recognizing this potential, the government treats the Blue Economy as one of the ten primary pillars of its strategic Vision for a $10 Trillion Economy.

Framework and Key Pillars of the Blue Economy

The World Bank defines the Blue Economy as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.” The concept gained global momentum during the 2012 Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

Fundamental Dimensions

• Marine Living Resources: Sustainable capture fisheries, marine aquaculture, mariculture, and marine biotechnology.
• Marine Non-Living Resources: Deep-sea mining for minerals, offshore oil and natural gas extraction, and seawater desalination.
• Renewable Marine Energy: Offshore wind energy, tidal power, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), and wave energy generation.
• Maritime Transport and Services: Port infrastructure, shipping lanes, shipbuilding, ship repair, and logistics networks.
• Ocean Tourism and Recreation: Coastal ecotourism, beach preservation, and marine heritage sites.
• Marine Ecosystem Health: Coastal protection, mangrove restoration, carbon sequestration (Blue Carbon), and waste management.

Institutional Framework and Policy Landscape in India

India has formulated structured frameworks to harness its marine potential while protecting fragile coastal environments.

Draft National Blue Economy Policy

Prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the draft policy outlines a multi-sectoral strategy to enhance the contribution of the ocean sector to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It establishes seven priority themes:

1. National accounting framework for the Blue Economy and ocean governance.
2. Coastal marine spatial planning and tourism.
3. Marine fisheries, aquaculture, and fish processing.
4. Manufacturing, emerging industries, trade, technology, services, and skill development.
5. Logistics, infrastructure, and shipping.
6. Coastal and deep-sea mining, offshore energy, and research.
7. Security, strategic dimensions, and international engagement.

Sagarmala Programme

Launched in 2015 under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sagarmala aims to reduce logistics costs for domestic and export-import cargo through port-led development. The project operates on four main pillars:

• Port Modernization and New Port Development.
• Port Connectivity Enhancement via rail, road, and inland waterways.
• Port-Linked Industrialization through Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs).
• Coastal Community Development through fisheries and skill training.

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)

Approved in 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Deep Ocean Mission focuses on deep-sea exploration and technology development. Key components include:

• Matsya 6000: A manned submersible designed to carry three human beings to a depth of 6,000 meters into the ocean.
• Polymetallic Nodule Mining: Development of technologies for mining copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
• Ocean Climate Services: Setting up advisory services to study climate change impacts on ocean systems.
• Deep-Sea Flora and Fauna Research: Exploration and sustainable utilization of deep-sea bio-resources for pharmaceuticals and industrial products.

Sectoral Breakdown of Ocean Economy

Major Initiatives Supporting the Blue Economy

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Launched in 2020, PMMSY addresses critical gaps in fish production, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure, and traceability. It aims to double fishers’ incomes and boost marine export earnings.

MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)

Announced in the Union Budget 2023-24, the scheme promotes mangrove afforestation along India’s coastline by pooling funds from MGNREGS and CAMPA. Mangroves act as natural storm barriers and serve as high-capacity carbon sinks.

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications

Issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, CRZ rules classify coastal areas into four zones (CRZ-I to CRZ-IV) to regulate industrial setup and protect fragile coastal ecosystems from pollution and erosion.

Ocean Services, Modelling, Applications, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)

An umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences that provides ocean forecast services, tsunami early warnings, marine living resource monitoring, and coastal state mapping.

Blue Flag Certification

An international eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches meeting strict standards for clean water, safety, environmental management, and accessibility. Multiple Indian beaches hold this certification.

Regional and Strategic Dimensions

India uses its Blue Economy strategy to strengthen diplomatic and maritime ties in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): Vision enunciated in 2015 to build cooperative regional security and economic partnerships with Indian Ocean littoral states.
• Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): India leads working groups on the Blue Economy within IORA to set standards for sustainable fishing, marine scientific research, and safety at sea.
• International Seabed Authority (ISA): India holds exploration contracts with the ISA for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and polymetallic sulphides in the Southwest Indian Ridge.

Core Blue Economy Facts

• Coastline Length: India has a coastline of 7,516.6 km, covering 9 coastal states and 4 union territories.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline, giving India sovereign rights over 2.02 million square kilometers of ocean area.
• Global Fish Rank: India ranks as the 3rd largest fish-producing nation and the 2nd largest aquaculture producer in the world.
• Deepest Manned Submersible: Project Matsya 6000 aims to send humans 6,000 meters underwater to perform deep-sea mineral and biological research.
• Polymetallic Nodule Composition: Deep-sea nodules contain iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper located at sea depths ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 meters.
• ISA Allocation: India was the first pioneer investor registered by the UN International Seabed Authority in 1987 for polymetallic nodule exploration.
• First Marine National Park: Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, created in 1982 to protect coral reefs and mangroves.
• First Dugong Reserve: Set up in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, to protect endangered marine mammals and seagrass beds.
• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT): Established in 1993 in Chennai as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Earth Sciences to develop indigenous ocean engineering technologies.