Socio-economic and ecological impact of overfishing and a strategic sustainable approach for Indian fisheries

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyse the social and ecological landscape of fisheries in India. The paper aims to highlight the socioeconomic sensitivity of artisanal fisheries, focusing on the declining stocks and weak institutional support. The paper utilises secondary data applying both qualitative and quantitative approaches using data from the (FAO 2024) [4] , (FAO 2022) [3] and ("Part 1-2 (09.01.24).Cdr," n.d.). Government documents and international research were reviewed to survey the ecological and socioeconomic impact. Additionally, the cause and effect of overfishing in India's marine and inland sectors have been analysed. An illustrative and comparative approach was undertaken to show trends in various aspects, like fisheries production and consumption in specific areas. The study discloses that while social initiatives were undertaken to expand Indian fisheries, they faced challenges due to over-exploitation and inadequate policy execution. Moreover, this paper seeks to bridge the gap between ecological sustainability and socioeconomic equity by critically examining existing policies, case studies, and presenting long-term solutions for both the marine ecosystem and the fisheries community.