Kerala Fishermen Get High-Seas Access, But Face Infrastructure and Skill Hurdles

The Union government has issued Letters of Authorisation (LoA) allowing Indian fishing vessels to operate in international waters and harvest deep-sea marine resources. This policy shift aims to address the longstanding underutilisation of India's marine potential, estimated at 58.6 lakh metric tonnes annually, while ensuring compliance with international fishing regulations.

Historically, Indian fishing activities have been concentrated within 40 to 50 nautical miles of the coast, leaving vast high-sea resources untapped. The new system mandates an online application process, adherence to catch limits, bycatch mitigation, and measures against illegal fishing. Peter Mathias, a boat owner from Kollam who received the state's first LoA, said, 'Foreign fleets have long dominated the high seas. Now, Indian deep-sea fishers can compete on equal footing. The abundance of premium tuna and deep-sea squid can transform our export market.'

Officials note that moving larger vessels to international waters could relieve pressure on coastal ecosystems, allowing them to recover naturally. However, traditional fishers and industry experts highlight significant hurdles. The capital required to build or acquire deep-sea vessels is prohibitive for most ordinary fishermen. Additionally, boats lack modern onboard preservation systems used by foreign competitors. As Mathias explained, 'Sushi-grade tuna fetches five to ten times the price of standard frozen tuna. We need advanced freezing technologies to produce premium seafood for global markets. Subsidies are essential for modernisation.'

Another critical challenge is the shortage of skilled labour. Fisheries department officials report that most crew members on deep-sea vessels operating from Kerala are from neighbouring Tamil Nadu. 'Traditional fishers lack training in advanced techniques like industrialised gillnetting and longlining,' an official said. 'Comprehensive training and capacity-building programs must be rolled out to address these labour and infrastructure gaps. Only then can Kerala's fishing communities fully harness this opportunity.'

The policy marks a significant step toward expanding India's fishing frontiers, but without addressing these structural issues, the benefits may not reach traditional fishers as intended.