New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- Harnessing India's deep-sea and offshore fisheries is critical to unlocking vast yet underutilised marine resources that can strengthen food security, boost exports and improve livelihoods along the coast. India is among the world's largest fish producers and fisheries plays an important role in the national economy.

Export earnings reached $7.38 billion ( Rs.64,708 crore) in FY24, roughly double the value recorded in FY14. Yet, most fishing activity remains confined to coastal and inland waters.

India has a coastline of more than 11,000 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending 200 nautical miles, yet the country's deep-sea resources beyond the continental shelf remain largely untapped.

Deep-sea fishery r...