Fishing in India: A Look at Purse Seine Technique and Conservation Efforts
India’s fishing industry faces several challenges, especially with the implementation of certain techniques such as purse seine fishing. The Supreme Court has recently allowed the application of this technique beyond the territorial waters (12 nautical miles) and within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles) of Tamil Nadu, albeit under specific restrictions. This ruling came after the Tamil Nadu Government imposed a ban on purse seine fishing in February 2022.
Concerns Raised Over Purse Seine Fishing
Purse seine fishing raises a number of significant worries regarding conservation efforts and sustainable fishing practices. The Supreme Court’s decision appears to prioritize administrative and transparency measures over conservation obligations laid down by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As stipulated by UNCLOS, coastal states possess sovereign rights to ensure the resources within their EEZ are appropriately used, preserved, and not subject to overexploitation, requiring them to determine a total allowable catch (TAC). However, merely restricting purse seiners to fish on specific days is insufficient without regulating their fishing methods.
Purse Seine Fishing: A Threat to Traditional Fishing and Marine Resources
The purse seine fishing technique presents a significant risk to the livelihoods of traditional fishers and marine resources. Purse seiners often overfish compared to traditional fishermen using conventional gear. They use non-targeted methods, indiscriminately capturing all types of fish in the net’s path, including juveniles, thereby posing a severe threat to marine life.
Implications for Food Security and Endangered Species
Overfishing via purse seine fishing also poses a substantial threat to food security and endangers marine species. In particular, it has contributed to a significant reduction in oil sardine availability, a preferred meal among Kerala’s population. Furthermore, non-selective fishing methods often result in by-catch of other marine life, potentially jeopardizing endangered species and risking potential trade embargoes.
About the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
The UNCLOS, established in 1982, is an international agreement providing a legal framework for marine and maritime activities. Also known as the Law of the Sea, the UNCLOS segregates marine zones into Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and High Seas. It is the only international convention that stipulates state jurisdiction in maritime spaces.
What is Purse Seine Fishing?
Purse seine fishing involves a long wall of netting framed with floating and leadline. The netting comes equipped with purse rings hanging from the lower edge, through which runs a purse line made of steel wire or rope, which enables the pursing of the net. This technique is considered efficient and has been extensively used along India’s western coasts to target single-species pelagic fish like tuna and mackerel in the open ocean.
Conservation Efforts for Marine Animal Resources
To combat the threats posed by fishing methods like purse seining, several conservation measures have been put in place. The United Nations General Assembly passed resolutions in 1989 and 1991 calling for moratoria on large-scale pelagic drift net fishing vessels in high seas. Other initiatives include the UN Ocean Conference 2022, aiming at global cooperation for the protection of the Ocean ecosystem, and the One Ocean Summit focused on combating illegal fishing, decarbonising shipping, and reducing plastic pollution. Moreover, regional conventions and declarations, such as the Convention for the Prohibition of Fishing with Long Drift Nets and the Tarawa Declaration, restrict port access for drift net fishing vessels and call for the prohibition of large drift nets.
The Tragedy of the Commons, an idea posited by Garrett Hardin that suggests “Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all,” underscores the need for collective action among authorities and fishermen, particularly purse seiners, to adhere to conservation efforts.
