Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023 – Current Updates (August, 2023)

August 9, 2023

The Lok Sabha recently took a significant step towards promoting aquaculture and improving the ease of doing business by passing an amendment bill. The bill, which aims to decriminalize certain activities related to coastal aquaculture, holds several important provisions.

Decriminalizing Aquaculture Activities

The amendment bill focuses on decriminalizing offences associated with coastal aquaculture activities. This move is expected to provide relief to individuals engaged in aquaculture and contribute to the ease of doing business in this sector.

The bill proposes to replace jail terms of up to three years with a penalty amounting to ₹1 lakh for certain offences related to coastal aquaculture. This change in penalties is aimed at making the regulatory environment more conducive for aquaculture operations.

Promoting Innovative Aquaculture Techniques

One of the pivotal aspects of the bill is its emphasis on promoting newer and more sustainable forms of aquaculture. Specifically, the bill encourages practices like cage culture and seaweed culture. These innovative techniques not only diversify aquaculture practices but also contribute to the overall sustainability of the industry.

Matsya Sampada Yojana: Boosting Fisheries Sector

Matsya Sampada Yojana is part of the government initiatives to boost the fisheries sector. This scheme includes a significant investment of ₹20,050 crore. It aims to modernize and enhance the productivity of the fisheries industry, aligning with the bill’s objective of promoting aquaculture.

Shrimp Production Surge and Removal of Minor Offence Imprisonment

From the year 2013-14 to 2022-23, there has been an impressive surge in shrimp production, rising from 3.22 lakh tonnes to a remarkable 11.84 lakh tonnes. This surge highlights the growth potential of the aquaculture sector.

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