Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
Critical for India's food security, fisher livelihoods, export earnings, and international maritime obligations. It involves balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, a recurring UPSC theme, and aligns with India's Blue Economy strategy and maritime interests.
India, with its vast coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), relies heavily on marine fisheries for livelihoods, food security, and exports. Sustainable management is crucial to balance economic growth with ecological conservation, especially in the context of high-value oceanic fisheries and the broader national Blue Economy vision.