The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and create jobs, all while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. Unlike a traditional, exploitative ocean economy, it treats the ocean as a finite natural asset that must be protected and regenerated rather than just depleted.
Core Sectors of the Blue Economy
The blue economy spans a variety of traditional and emerging marine industries:
Harvesting Living Resources: Sustainable seafood production, aquaculture, marine biotechnology and to discover new medicines and chemicals.
Maritime Transport: Shipping, port activities, infrastructure development, and shipbuilding engineered to reduce carbon emissions.
Marine Renewable Energy: Harnessing clean electricity from offshore wind farms, wave energy, and ocean thermal power.
Coastal Tourism: Sustainable and eco-friendly travel and recreation that support local shorelines without damaging natural habitats.
Blue Carbon Sequestration: Protecting coastal ecosystems like mangroves and sea grasses, which naturally store massive amounts of atmospheric carbon.
Why It Matters Globally
According to tracking data from the World Bank, the global blue economy is valued at roughly $1.5 trillion annually and is projected to expand significantly to $3 trillion by 2030. Over three billion people rely on oceans for food security and employment.
By focusing on green business models, global policy frames like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below Water) aim to combat the triple threat of climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
The recent presentation of the Interim Budget included a significant emphasis on advancing Blue Economy 2.0 through the introduction of a novel scheme focused on restoration, adaptation measures, coastal aquaculture, and mariculture, employing an integrated and multi-sectoral strategy.
India has a vast coastline of 7500 km, and its exclusive economic zones (EEZ) extend over 2.2 million square km. Also, India is home to 12 major ports, over 200 other ports, 30 shipyards and a comprehensive hub of diverse maritime service providers.
It advocates the greening of ocean development strategies for higher productivity and conservation of the ocean’s health.
Oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, contain 97% of the Earth’s water, and represent 99% of the living area on the planet.
Blue Economy 2.0
This is aimed at promoting climate-resilient activities and sustainable development in coastal areas. With marine ecosystems facing unprecedented threats from climate change, pollution, and overexploitation, there is an urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard the health and resilience of ocean resources.
Expansion of Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture:Blue Economy 2.0 scheme will focus on the expansion of coastal aquaculture and mariculture, which play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for seafood while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
By promoting sustainable aquaculture practices and integrating them with other sectors such as tourism and renewable energy, the scheme aims to create economic opportunities for coastal communities while ensuring the long-term viability of marine resources.
Universities and Colleges
India’s major fisheries colleges and educational institutes are spread across various states and include state agricultural and veterinary universities
Premier Central Institutes and Universities ICAR: Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, Maharashtra: The premier deemed university for fisheries science, offering postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET), Kochi, Kerala specialises in nautical and marine engineering for deep-sea fishing operations.Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, Kerala is an apex ICAR research institute offering higher education and research guidance. Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi is the first dedicated Fisheries University in India.
South India College of Fisheries, Mangaluru, Karnataka: Established under the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU). The College of Fisheries, Mangalore, a premier Fisheries Education and Research Institute was established in 1969 by the then University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore as the first fisheries college in India under the agricultural university system of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. The College has now become part of the newly established Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar.
The College offers B.F. Sc. (4 years), M.F.Sc. (2 years) and Ph.D. Programmes (3 years) in Fisheries Sciences. The M.F.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes have 5 branches namely Aquaculture, Aquatic Animal Health Management, Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries Resources and Management and Fisheries Environment and Ecology and MFSc in Fisheries Engineering Technology.
Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI), Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Affiliated with the Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU).
West and Central IndiaCollege of Fisheries, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra: Operated under the Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth. College of Fishery Science, Nagpur, Maharashtra: Part of the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU). College of Fishery Science, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: Managed by Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University.
East and Northeast India College of Fisheries, Raha, Assam: A part of Assam Veterinary and Fishery University.College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, Tripura: Functions under the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal. College of Fisheries, Berhampur, Odisha: Affiliated with the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
North India College of Fisheries, Ludhiana, Punjab: Affiliated with Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).College of Fisheries Science, Hisar, Haryana: Managed by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU).To check the exact admission requirements, entrance exams (such as ICAR AIEEA), and course fees, visit the official website of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
NEET is not required for admission to Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) or B.Sc. Fisheries programmes. Admission to fisheries programmes is based on merit in your 10+2 board exams or through specialised agricultural and university-level entrance exams.
Required Entrance Exams
Instead of NEET, you will typically need to appear for one of the following:
CUET (Common University Entrance Test): Accepted by many central and state universities.
ICAR AIEEA: The All India Entrance Examination for Admission, conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
State-Level Exams: State agricultural or fisheries universities (like OUAT in Odisha or KCET in Karnataka) conduct their own exams.
Basic Eligibility
To apply for a fisheries degree, must meet the following baseline criteria:
Education: Pass your 12th standard (or equivalent) in the Science stream.
Mandatory Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB). (Some universities also accept Mathematics).
Minimum Marks: Usually a minimum aggregate of 50% in core science subjects.
For further details about colleges offering courses in fisheries can visit https://fisheriesindia.com/2020/03/list-of-fisheries-universities-and.html