Critical evaluation of India’s trawl fisheries: pathways for responsible growth and sectoral harmony

Dineshbabu, A P and Jayasankar, J and Thomas, Sujitha and Rajesh, K M and Dash, Gyanaranjan and Kumar, Rajan (2026) Critical evaluation of India’s trawl fisheries: pathways for responsible growth and sectoral harmony. Current Science, 131 (1). pp. 49-63. ISSN 0011-3891

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Abstract

Mechanised fisheries, led by trawlers, contribute 70%–80% of India’s marine fish production, yet the sector’s growth must align with the nation’s inclusive approach that values the coexistence of mechanised, motorised, and traditional fisheries for sustainable coastal development. The present study critically evaluates the trawl fishery’s adherence to best practices, aiming to identify necessary reforms that ensure responsible growth without disrupting sectoral harmony in Indian marine fisheries. Globally, trawl management measures include regulatory actions and voluntary industry initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental effects of trawling, in alignment with broader sustainability goals. These measures cover gear design, trawl operations, spatial controls, impact quotas, and effort controls. The study highlights significant shifts in Indian trawl operations, especially since 2010. Notably, there is an increase in the presence of off-bottom species, while conventional resources like crustaceans decline. Trawlers in India are found to be emitting fewer greenhouse gases for catching 1 kg of fish compared to global trawling standards, and with the majority of India’s wild-caught export commodities coming from trawl fisheries, the lower carbon footprint of these operations enhances their appeal in the export market and positions them for carbon trading opportunities. The study also highlights the immediate need to reduce engine power according to vessel size to improve fuel efficiency, and additionally, it is important to identify an optimal fleet size based on resource availability, as the decrease in catch rates is increasing competition among trawler operators. State governments have various legal tools to address unsustainable practices. Although minimum legal size (MLS) restrictions are in place in most maritime states, the high costs associated with their strict enforcement are weakening their effectiveness. From a responsible fishing perspective, fish meal and fish oil plants voluntarily reject commercially caught species below the MLS size. If properly enforced, this approach can help control the possible expansion of high-speed pelagic trawling operations more effectively

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