Govt. approves India’s accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement

Why in News?

The Government of India has approved the country’s accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) to strengthen India’s participation in high-seas fisheries, expand access to valuable marine resources and enhance its role in global fisheries governance.

About SIOFA

• Full name: Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement.
• Signed: 7 July 2006, in Rome.
• Entered into force: June 2012.
• Objective: To ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources in its area through cooperation among contracting parties and promote sustainable fisheries development.
• Coverage: It manages fishery resources, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and certain sedentary species, subject to exclusions under the Agreement and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Significance of India’s Accession

• Access to marine resources: Indian-flagged fishing vessels and enterprises will be able to undertake authorised fishing for species such as squid, toothfish and alfonsino, subject to applicable conservation measures and fishing authorisations.
• Participation in decision-making: India will be able to participate fully in SIOFA’s Scientific Committee and Compliance Committee.
• Scientific cooperation: Membership will improve India’s participation in scientific research, fish-stock assessments and resource-management programmes.
• Combating illegal fishing: India can strengthen cooperation to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote responsible fishing practices.
• Maritime cooperation: Participation in the High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) Scheme will support regional maritime cooperation and India’s strategic interests.
• Economic opportunities: The agreement provides a framework for expanding India’s fishing operations into international waters, in line with the Government’s Guidelines for High Seas Fisheries issued in December 2025.

India’s Earlier Status in SIOFA

India has been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) to SIOFA since 2022. This status limited its participation in certain decision-making processes. Accession as a Contracting Party will enable India to participate fully in the agreement’s relevant bodies and activities.

Major Regional Fisheries Management Organisations in the Indian Ocean

Organisation	Area of responsibility
Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)	Fishery resources other than those covered by specific exclusions, including non-highly migratory fish stocks and certain sedentary species.
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)	Highly migratory tuna and tuna-like species.

India has been a Contracting Party to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) since 1996.

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