India’s Blue Economy Push Seeks to Balance Growth and Ocean Conservation

India is increasingly looking at its oceans and coastline as a major engine of economic growth, with the Blue Economy offering opportunities across fisheries, shipping, tourism, energy, marine research and emerging industries. The approach aims to generate jobs and livelihoods while protecting marine ecosystems.

The country’s maritime infrastructure has expanded significantly. Major ports handled 915.17 million tonnes of cargo in 2025-26, registering a 7.06 per cent year-on-year rise. Around 95 per cent of India’s trade by volume is supported by maritime infrastructure. The Sagarmala programme, launched in 2015, has an estimated 845 projects worth about Rs 6.06 lakh crore, covering port modernisation, connectivity and related development.

Fisheries remain another important pillar of the Blue Economy. The sector supports nearly 30 million livelihoods, while India is the world’s second-largest fish producer. Seafood exports rose from Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 73,890 crore in 2025-26. However, improving landing facilities, cold storage, affordable credit and market access remains essential for fishing communities, particularly small-scale fishers and women.