India is set to introduce an onboard electronic observer system to monitor and record marine fish catches, Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi announced on Monday. The system is designed to provide accurate scientific data for stock assessment and management across various fishing vessels, promoting sustainability and improving access to international markets.
Dr. Likhi made the announcement while inaugurating a five-day global workshop on species identification, organized by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI). The workshop brings together fisheries experts and officials from 12 countries, including Japan, France, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa, along with 18 officials from India’s coastal states.
The electronic monitoring system, being developed by the FSI under the Fisheries Ministry, will track tuna and tuna-like species, which are vital for global fisheries management. Dr. Likhi said the initiative would not only support conservation but also protect Indian fishers and exporters from trade disputes. “Science-backed, credible data is our passport to international markets, ensuring a level playing field for our fishers,” he added.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), nearly 36,000 fishing vessels have already been equipped with transponders for real-time monitoring. India is also committed to regional and international cooperation for the sustainable management of highly migratory species such as tunas, tuna-like fish, and pelagic sharks.
Highlighting global trade challenges, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Director Dr. Grinson George called for revisiting the international quota system for commercial tuna fishing to secure higher allocations for developing nations like India. He also stressed the need for a well-developed cold chain infrastructure to preserve tuna quality, reduce spoilage, and enhance export competitiveness.
IOTC Secretariat Member Lauren Nelson said the workshop would focus on robust data collection and species identification to ensure reliable stock assessments for India’s tuna and allied fisheries. The event also featured speeches by Dr. R S Maheskumar, Head of the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), FSI Director General Dr. Sreenath K R, and Zonal Director Dr. Sijo Varghese, highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen fisheries management and sustainability.
