Climate-Smart Fisheries: How Geospatial Tools Are Shaping India’s Coastal Aquaculture
India’s coastline stretches over 7,500 km, supporting one of the world’s largest and most diverse fisheries sectors. With over 17 million tonnes of annual fish production and more than 28 million people dependent on the sector for their livelihoods, India’s fisheries play a vital role in the economy and food security. However, climate change, habitat degradation, unpredictable weather patterns, and resource overexploitation are making the sector increasingly vulnerable. In this context, geospatial tools have emerged as vital assets for ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of fisheries and coastal aquaculture.
These technologies—ranging from satellite data, remote sensing, GIS mapping, and mobile-enabled advisories—are helping coastal communities and policymakers make informed decisions. From identifying rich fishing grounds to monitoring mangrove health and planning aquaculture zones, geospatial systems are enhancing productivity, reducing risk, and enabling climate-smart adaptation along India’s coasts.
Mapping the Fish: Potential Fishing Zone Advisories
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has been a pioneer in using satellite data to issue Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories. These advisories are generated using chlorophyll concentration and sea surface temperature data collected from satellites like NOAA, Oceansat-2, and Sentinel-3. These two parameters are key indicators of fish presence, especially for pelagic species such as sardines, mackerel, and tuna.
PFZ maps are shared twice a week during the fishing season in multiple Indian languages and are made accessible via SMS, mobile apps, WhatsApp, All India Radio, and Doordarshan. As of 2025, PFZ advisories are available for over 580 coastal locations. Studies by INCOIS show that fishers using PFZ advisories experience up to 30% increase in catch and 20–25% reduction in fuel consumption. This translates to higher incomes, lower carbon emissions, and reduced effort for fishers, particularly those in small-scale and artisanal segments.
States like Tamil Nadu and Odisha have actively promoted PFZ usage through local fisheries departments and university partnerships. Awareness workshops, mobile literacy programs, and printed maps have helped improve adoption, especially in districts like Nagapattinam, Thoothukudi, Ganjam, and Kendrapara.
Zoning Aquaculture with GIS
India’s aquaculture sector, which now contributes over 55% of total fish production, is expanding rapidly in coastal regions. However, unplanned growth, especially in shrimp farming, has led to environmental concerns such as mangrove loss, saline water intrusion, and conflicts with local communities. To address this, many states are adopting GIS-based aquaculture zoning systems.
In Tamil Nadu, the fisheries department uses GIS to overlay data on soil salinity, tidal range, proximity to water sources, flood-prone areas, and land use to identify suitable locations for brackish water aquaculture. These maps help officials screen farm applications and ensure sustainable site selection. The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) supports the development of such zonation maps using satellite imagery and field validation.
Similarly, Odisha has been using satellite data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8, in coordination with ORSAC (Odisha Space Applications Centre), to monitor aquaculture expansion and mangrove health in coastal zones like the Mahanadi delta and Bhitarkanika. The Chilika Development Authority uses drone imagery to oversee aquaculture operations in the lagoon and prevent encroachments in protected wetland zones.
Tracking Boats for Safety and Regulation
Another key use of geospatial technology is the geotagging and real-time tracking of marine fishing vessels. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Ministry of Fisheries has initiated large-scale vessel tracking, with over 80,000 boats geotagged as of 2025. GPS-enabled devices are installed on fishing boats to send regular location updates to coastal control centres.
This helps monitor fishing activity, enforce Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRA), track fishers during emergencies, and issue cyclone or tsunami alerts. In states like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) is used by the fisheries departments to coordinate rescues and prevent fishing in restricted zones. Integration with INCOIS’s Ocean State Forecast (OSF) allows for timely dissemination of wave height and wind speed warnings.
Empowering Fishers Through Mobile Platforms
Digital inclusion is central to making geospatial tools work on the ground. The Matsya Setu mobile app, developed by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and ICAR-CIFE, has emerged as a popular tool for fishers and aquaculture farmers. Initially an e-learning platform, the app now offers real-time PFZ maps, weather forecasts, pond management tips, and geotagged farm advisories based on the user’s location.
In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the app is widely used in aquaculture clusters like West Godavari and Nagapattinam. It allows farmers to monitor water quality, estimate feed requirements, and receive disease alerts. The integration of GIS features ensures that advisory content is tailored to local conditions, making it more actionable for users.
Overcoming the Barriers
Despite progress, several challenges remain. Connectivity at sea continues to limit the delivery of real-time advisories, particularly for deep-sea fishing vessels operating beyond mobile range. While satellite-based communication like GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is being explored, affordability and infrastructure gaps hinder widespread adoption.
Another issue is the lack of integration between biological data and dynamic weather information. PFZ advisories are effective in identifying fish-rich zones, but without real-time wind, wave, and cyclone data, they may not always ensure safety. Developing an integrated dashboard that combines fish availability, weather, and ocean state would improve decision-making.
Capacity building is also essential. Many fishers, especially older and marginalized groups, are unfamiliar with digital tools. Training programs under PMMSY, delivered through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, and NGOs, are addressing this gap, but further outreach is needed to ensure equitable access.
The Way Forward
To scale geospatial adoption, India must develop a national-level marine spatial data infrastructure. This platform should integrate fisheries zoning, aquaculture clusters, vessel data, cyclone vulnerability maps, and mangrove cover information, all accessible to local planners, researchers, and communities.
Collaboration across ministries, such as MoES, MoEFCC, and the Ministry of Fisheries, along with support from ISRO and private geospatial firms, will be key. States can be encouraged to adopt open-source GIS platforms, use drones for inspection, and promote co-management of resources through community participation.
Public-private partnerships under initiatives like Operation Dronagiri can also help deploy drones and AI models for coastal surveillance, farm inspection, and early warning systems. As India moves forward with its Blue Economy Vision 2047, the integration of geospatial intelligence will be vital for sustainability.
Conclusion
Climate-smart fisheries are not just a policy goal but a practical necessity in today’s changing coastal landscape. Geospatial tools are already making a difference—from PFZ maps that improve catch efficiency to GIS zoning that ensures sustainable aquaculture and real-time vessel tracking that saves lives. With the right investments in technology, training, and coordination, India can build a resilient fisheries sector that thrives alongside its coastal communities.
In 2025, India is showing how satellites, maps, and mobile apps can support not just fishing, but the future of the oceans themselves. The tide is turning—toward smarter, safer, and more sustainable seas.
Leave a Comment