Small-Scale Fisheries and Sustainability in India: A Thematic Analysis of Fisheries Instruments
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Authors
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AYUSHI PANDEY
Department of Fisheries Biology, College of Fisheries, Dr. BSKKV, Ratnagiri - 415 629, Maharashtra, India
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R.A. PAWAR
Department of Fisheries Biology, College of Fisheries, Dr. BSKKV, Ratnagiri - 415 629, Maharashtra, India
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S.A. MOHITE
Department of Fisheries Biology, College of Fisheries, Dr. BSKKV, Ratnagiri - 415 629, Maharashtra, India
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A.S. PAWASE
Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Dr. BSKKV, Ratnagiri - 415 629, Maharashtra, India
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M.S. SAWANT
Department of Fisheries Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Dr. BSKKV, Ratnagiri - 415 629, Maharashtra, India
Keywords:
Fisheries instruments, Samll-scale fisheries (SSF), SustainabilityAbstract
Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are crucial for India’s coastal and inland ecosystems, food security, and rural livelihoods. This study analysed twenty six national and state-level fisheries instruments including laws, plans, and regulations, to evaluate their integration of sustainability principles in line with the FAO SSF Guidelines. Sustainability was operationalized across three pillars: ecological (e.g., conservation, fishing effort regulation), socio-economic (e.g., infrastructure, market access, welfare), and governance and enforcement (e.g., licensing, co-management, monitoring). Keyword frequency analysis and Kruskal-Wallis testing revealed a significant imbalance, with socio-economic considerations dominating (60.36%) while ecological (20.21%) and governance (19.42%) themes remained underrepresented (p < 0.05). Qualitative review highlighted that state-level Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs) emphasized top-down regulation with minimal community participation or welfare support, illustrating a design-delivery gap. Recent instruments, such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (2020) and National Fisheries Policy (2020), showed rhetorical alignment with global sustainability frameworks, but operationalizing ecosystem-based management, co-management, and inclusive governance remains limited. The findings underscore the need for integrated, communityinclusive strategies to strengthen resilience, equity, and long-term sustainability in India’s SSF sector. Bridging the gap between policy design and implementation is essential to safeguard livelihoods and maintain ecosystem health within India’s blue economy.
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