Blue Economy: Policies, Initiatives and Key Sectors in India

The Blue Economy encompasses the sustainable utilization of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and marine ecosystem health. Covering a coastline of over 7,500 kilometers, 1,382 offshore islands, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning 2.2 million square kilometers, India holds strategic maritime advantages. The sector contributes to national output through fisheries, maritime transport, offshore energy, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology. Strategic frameworks and institutional mechanisms drive sustainable coastal growth and ocean governance across these marine sectors.

National Policy Framework and Vision

India’s Blue Economy framework aligns national development targets with marine conservation goals, focusing on sustainable utilization of oceanic wealth.

Draft National Blue Economy Policy

NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) formulated the Draft Policy Framework for India’s Blue Economy. The policy outlines seven key pillars:

• National accounting framework for the Blue Economy and ocean governance.
• Coastal marine spatial planning and tourism development.
• Marine fisheries, aquaculture, and fish processing clusters.
• Manufacturing, emerging industries, trade, technology, services, and skill development.
• Logistics, infrastructure, and shipping including transshipment hubs.
• Coastal and deep-sea mining, offshore energy, and seabed exploration.
• Security, strategic dimensions, and international commitments.

Deep Ocean Mission

Approved in 2021 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences with a budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years, the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) focuses on deep-sea technology development and exploration.

• Matsya 6000: An indigenous human-occupied submersible developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to carry three personnel to a depth of 6,000 meters.
• Polymetallic Nodules (PMN): Exploration of nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese over a 75,000 square kilometer site allocated to India by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
• Desalination and Energy: Developing offshore ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plants for coastal regions and island territories.

Key Sectors of India’s Blue Economy

The ocean economy integrates traditional maritime industries with emerging high-technology sectors.

Maritime Transport and Port Infrastructure

• Sagarmala Programme: Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to reduce logistics costs through port-led development, port modernization, coastal community development, and port connectivity.
• National Waterways: Development of inland water transport through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the National Waterways Act, 2016, prioritizing major routes like NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly) and NW-2 (Brahmaputra).
• Major Ports: 12 Major Ports operate under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, alongside over 200 notified non-major ports managed by State Maritime Boards.

Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Launched in May 2020 with an investment of ₹20,050 crore under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It targets increasing fish production to 22 million metric tons, enhancing aquaculture productivity, and expanding export earnings.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): Provides concessional finance for developing cold chains, fish landing centers, deep-sea fishing vessels, and modernization of fishing harbors.

Offshore Energy and Deep-Sea Resources

• Offshore Wind Energy: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) acts as the nodal ministry for offshore wind power development, targeting coastal zones off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
• Gas Hydrates: Joint exploration initiatives led by the National Gas Hydrate Programme (NGHP) to identify potential methane hydrate reserves in the Krishna-Godavari and Mahanadi basins.

Institutional Setup and Key Agencies

International Initiatives and Bilateral Partnerships

• SAARTHI and SAGAR Vision: Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) forms the strategic policy guiding India’s Indian Ocean outreach.
• IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association): Active participation in regional maritime security, disaster risk management, and blue economy working groups.
• Indo-Norway Task Force: Established to collaborate on blue economy initiatives, marine spatial planning, and ocean management frameworks.
• High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: Global initiative where member nations commit to sustainably managing 100% of national ocean areas under sovereign jurisdiction.

Key Facts for Quick Revision

• India possesses a coastline of 7,516.6 kilometers and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.2 million square kilometers.
• Ministry of Earth Sciences serves as the primary administrative authority executing the Deep Ocean Mission.
• Matsya 6000 is an indigenous deep-submergence vehicle designed to carry three humans to a depth of 6,000 meters.
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) allocated 75,000 square kilometers in the Central Indian Ocean Basin to India for polymetallic nodule exploration.
• International Seabed Authority headquarters are located in Kingston, Jamaica.
• Sagarmala Programme was launched in March 2015 to promote port-led economic development.
• Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 replaced the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, providing greater operational autonomy to 12 Major Ports.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana carries a total financial outlay of ₹20,050 crore.
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) operates out of Hyderabad, providing Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories and ocean state forecasts.
• National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) functions under CSIR and maintains its primary laboratory in Dona Paula, Goa.
• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• India signed its first formal Blue Economy dialogue framework with Norway in 2019.