India’s determination to combat climate change was underscored in the Press Information Bureau release of December 30, 2024, detailing the submission of its Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The report outlined India’s greenhouse gas inventory for 2020, progress in sustainable development, and mitigation efforts. Notably, it highlighted a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, reflecting the country’s commitment to addressing climate change.
This is particularly crucial for India’s blue economy, which contributes 4% to the nation’s GDP, generates $28 billion annually, and provides livelihoods to millions. However, climate change is increasingly threatening this sector, adversely impacting marine life and fish stocks.
READ | China counts on economic stimulus to offset tariff threat
Climate change and the fishing industry
India’s 7,517-kilometre coastline is vital for blue-water trade, tourism, and fisheries. However, rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, climate extremes, and pollution are negatively affecting fish stocks. These disruptions have cascading effects on the national economy and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
For example, Kerala’s sardine catches have declined by 57% over the past decade due to rising sea temperatures of 30-32°C, exceeding the optimal range of 27-28°C for sardines. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) attributes this decline to climate change.
Coastal erosion is another pressing issue. In Andhra Pradesh, 28.7% of its 974-km coastline has been eroded, particularly in locations such as Uppada and RK Beach in Visakhapatnam. Overfishing and marine mammal deaths further strain the ecosystem. Similarly, Tamil Nadu’s fish catches have declined by 75% over 15 years due to rising sea temperatures and altered salinity levels.
West Bengal’s hilsa population has also been severely affected, with migration patterns shifting. Hilsa catches in Bengal’s rivers dropped by 56% from 62,600 tonnes in 2002-03 to 27,539 tonnes in 2017-18. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s hilsa catch surged by 160% over the same period, highlighting regional shifts in fishery productivity. In Gujarat, Bombay duck landings declined by 56% between 2017 and 2022 due to reduced plankton availability from warmer waters. Similarly, Maharashtra’s silver pomfret production has halved over the past 35 years due to ocean acidification and overfishing of juvenile fish.
Ecosystem disruptions and coral bleaching
Coral reefs, critical to marine biodiversity, are increasingly threatened by mass bleaching. Rising ocean temperatures and the 2024 El Niño have driven extensive bleaching, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The phenomenon began around Havelock and has now spread to South Andaman, leading to a 20% decline in giant clam populations.
The Indian Coral Reef Monitoring Network (ICRMN) has recorded a 20% reduction in phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean over the past 60 years, disrupting the marine food chain. Additionally, higher sea temperatures have contributed to an increase in tropical cyclones, with eight recorded in 2023—more than twice the historical average.
Overfishing and pollution
Overfishing exacerbates the decline in marine biodiversity. On India’s southwest coast, 53% of commercially important fish species have declined due to uncontrolled fishing practices. Industrial and electronic waste pollution further compounds the problem.
Despite clean-up initiatives, the Ganges remains highly contaminated. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury accumulate in fish, making them unsafe for human consumption. Moreover, electronic waste disrupts the reproductive cycles of species such as catfish and mahseer, further endangering fish populations. These environmental hazards threaten food security and undermine the integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
Socio-Economic implications of climate change
Fisheries contribute 6.7% of the gross value added (GVA) to agriculture and directly support approximately 28 million jobs. In the Sundarbans, 80% of the population relies on inefficient agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture, making them highly vulnerable to climate change.
Declining fish stocks and habitat degradation are jeopardising food security, particularly for poor rural fishing communities. The rapid expansion of fisheries without effective management has further exacerbated the situation.
India’s coastal economy sustains over four million fishermen and makes the country the world’s second-largest fish producer, with a fleet of 250,000 fishing vessels. While coastal shipping currently accounts for 6% of India’s maritime trade, it has the potential to grow to 33% by 2035. However, this growth is threatened by rising sea levels and climate-related weather events. Coral bleaching and habitat destruction also pose risks to coastal tourism, a sector that employs 45 million workers and is projected to expand from $256 billion to $523 billion over the next decade.
Mitigation and adaptation measures
To tackle these challenges, India must prioritise climate-resilient fisheries and marine ecosystem conservation. Strict enforcement of industrial and electronic waste management policies is essential to reducing aquatic pollution. Investments in sustainable initiatives such as eco-tourism, biodiversity restoration, and climate-resilient fisheries are also necessary.
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has emphasised the importance of these measures in safeguarding India’s blue economy, protecting coastal livelihoods, and supporting global climate mitigation efforts.
Sustainable fisheries management and the protection of critical marine ecosystems will be key to mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change. In addition, long-term investment in technology, education, and policy reform will be essential to building resilience in India’s ocean economy.
India has a crucial opportunity to integrate climate action with economic sustainability. By implementing proactive measures, the country can secure the future of its blue economy while reinforcing its commitment to combating global climate change.
The authors are teaching fellows at the Department of Economics, KREA University, Sricity, AP.