ABSTRACT
The marine capture fisheries is characterized by almost stagnant or at times declining fish catches, overfishing, overcapacity, increasing landing of bycatch especially low value bycatch, increasing discards in multiday trawls, increasing conflict over fish resources, mounting investment needs, and export market fluctuations. The policies by the central Government and the State governments have a direct influence on marine fisheries of India. Marine fishing regulation and sustainable management of fisheries within the territorial waters come under the jurisdiction of concerned state governments/Union territories and therefore there is no uniform pattern followed by all states. The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 has been formulated to ensure efficient maintenance of Indian Mercantile Marine in a manner best suited to serve national interest. The Coast Guard Act, 1978 offers protection to maritime zones of India in the national interest. A model Act that provides guidelines to the maritime states to enact laws for providing protection to marine fisheries by regulating fishing in the territorial waters.
