India’s 7,500-kilometre-long coastline, rich in marine biodiversity and home to millions of fishers, is increasingly threatened by the widespread use of illegal light fishing.
Despite a nationwide ban within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since 2017, weak enforcement has allowed the practice to continue, sparking urgent calls for action to mitigate its ecological and socio-economic consequences.

What Is Light Fishing?

Overview

• Light fishing involves the use of high-intensity artificial lights to lure fish and squid to the surface, making them easier to catch.

• The practice is banned under the National Policy on Marine Fisheries (NPMF), 2017, which seeks to preserve marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable fishing by prohibiting destructive methods such as light fishing.

Ecological and Social Impact

• Light fishing leads to the indiscriminate harvesting of marine species, including juvenile fish, thereby threatening fish stocks and future populations.

• It disrupts delicate marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs, and poses a significant risk to squid, a key species in the marine food chain. The depletion of squid affects predator species and creates ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.

• The practice also undermines the livelihood of traditional fishers, particularly in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala, where mechanized trawlers equipped with high-powered lights dominate fishing zones, creating unfair competition and escalating tensions between industrial and local fishing communities.

Why Is Light Fishing Still Prevalent Despite the Ban?

Policy Gaps and Jurisdictional Confusion

• Although light fishing is banned in the EEZ, enforcement within territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles) falls under the jurisdiction of individual states, as per Entry 21 of the State List (Seventh Schedule of the Constitution).

• This has led to inconsistent implementation—Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh enforce only partial bans, while Maharashtra focuses more on regulating trawling than banning light fishing outright.

Institutional and Operational Challenges

• Coastal Police have limited patrolling capacity, typically up to only 5 nautical miles from the shore, while light fishing often occurs beyond this limit.

• Inadequate penalties also weaken enforcement. For instance, fines in Karnataka amount to only ?16,000, while a single trip using light fishing techniques can yield profits up to ?1 lakh, making penalties ineffective as deterrents.

• The widespread availability of low-cost LED lights and portable generators has further accelerated the adoption of light fishing, making it accessible even to small-scale operators.

What Measures Can Improve Enforcement and Curb Light Fishing?

Implement a Uniform National Ban

• Introduce a comprehensive and enforceable nationwide ban on light fishing that applies to all territorial waters, in alignment with the 2017 EEZ regulations.

• This would support India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water, which focuses on conserving marine resources.

Strengthen Surveillance Through Integrated Enforcement

• Establish an integrated enforcement framework involving coordinated efforts by Coastal Police, Fisheries Departments, and the Indian Coast Guard.

• Conduct joint patrols and enhance surveillance through satellite monitoring systems, such as Earth Observation Satellite-06, to track illegal activity.

• Collaborate with institutions like the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to improve data sharing and real-time response.

Provide Economic Alternatives and Transition Support

• Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, offer financial support and training for fishers to adopt eco-friendly gear and sustainable practices.

• Facilitate alternative livelihood opportunities, such as aquaculture, eco-tourism, and other marine-based enterprises, to support communities moving away from harmful fishing methods.

Adopt Adaptive Global Best Practices

• Take cues from countries like Japan and Italy, which manage light fishing through seasonal bans and depth-based restrictions.

• By adopting similar adaptive and science-based regulations, India can strike a balance between biodiversity conservation and economic sustainability.