Island fisheries at the centre of India’s Blue Economy push

Why in News

The Centre outlined plans to develop tuna fisheries, seaweed cultivation and ornamental fisheries in Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Prelims Pointers

• Together, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar islands account for nearly 40% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) supports fisheries development. 

• The notified clusters include the following.

1. Lakshadweep: Seaweed Cluster.

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Tuna Cluster.

3. Madurai district, Tamil Nadu: Ornamental Fisheries Cluster.

• Yellowfin, skipjack and bigeye are tuna found in waters around the island groups. 

• The EEZ can extend up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. 

• The coastal state has sovereign rights to explore, use, conserve and manage natural resources, including fish.

Prelims Traps

• “The 200-nautical-mile limit for the EEZ is measured from the outer edge of the territorial sea.” This is incorrect. It is measured from the same baseline used for the territorial sea. (UPSC Prelims 2022)

• “Lakshadweep’s notified cluster is for tuna because it has a traditional tuna fishery.” This is incorrect. The Seaweed Cluster is in Lakshadweep. The Tuna Cluster is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.