Central Government approves India’s accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)

The Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement, or SIOFA, is a regional framework for managing high-seas fisheries. It covers fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and other sedentary species in its area of competence. It excludes highly migratory species and certain sedentary species under coastal-state jurisdiction.

SIOFA matters because fishing beyond national waters needs cooperation. Its members work on scientific understanding, stock assessments, sustainable harvests, and action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The agreement also provides rules for authorised fishing and high-seas inspections.

India has been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party since 2022. Accession would make it a full Contracting Party, giving India stronger decision-making rights, access to scientific programmes and data, and legitimate fishing opportunities. It would also support India’s wider Blue Economy and presence on international waters.

As a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party, India had limited participation in SIOFA decision-making. It could not fully shape the work of important bodies such as the Scientific Committee and Compliance Committee. Accession changes India’s status to a Contracting Party.

That status allows Indian-flagged fishing vessels and enterprises to undertake authorised fishing for covered resources within SIOFA’s jurisdiction. It also gives India full participation in SIOFA bodies, scientific data, research programmes, and stock assessments. These rights create clearer opportunities for fishers and entrepreneurs.

The change is important because India’s fleet currently operates largely within 60–80 nautical miles of the EEZ. The government wants to expand fishing capacity into international waters. Membership can therefore support new businesses, legitimate access to high-value resources, and stronger national participation in global fisheries governance.

SIOFA accession opens authorised fishing opportunities for several valuable marine resources. The article specifically names squids, toothfish, alfonsino, and other non-migratory fish stocks. These resources fall within the agreement’s high-seas framework, subject to its rules and conservation measures.

For example, an Indian-flagged vessel could seek authorisation to fish for toothfish or alfonsino in SIOFA’s jurisdiction. The key mechanism is membership. As a Contracting Party, India can operate within the agreement’s system and participate in decisions, science, and compliance arrangements that govern sustainable harvests.

The opportunity is broader than a species list. SIOFA covers fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and other sedentary species, while excluding highly migratory species and some coastal-state resources. Accession could therefore expand India’s fishing options while linking them to scientific assessments and sustainability requirements.

The high seas constitute approximately 65% of the global ocean. They are vast international waters where fishing activity is shaped by agreements and cooperation rather than one country’s national control. Their scale makes science, monitoring, and shared rules essential.

The article identifies five dominant fishing countries or regions. China accounts for 21%, Taiwan for 13%, Japan for 11%, South Korea for 11%, and Spain for 8% of high-seas fishing. These figures show the concentration of activity among established fleets.

India’s fishing vessels currently operate largely within 60–80 nautical miles of the EEZ. The government wants to develop capacity across possible high-seas areas, including through access agreements in other countries’ EEZs. SIOFA accession would help India establish a recognised presence alongside existing global fleets.

India currently participates in SIOFA as a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party. That status limits its role in decision-making, including in the Scientific Committee and Compliance Committee. Becoming a Contracting Party would give India full participation in these bodies.

The practical change is significant. India could contribute more directly to scientific assessments of covered resources and gain access to scientific data, research programmes, and stock assessments. It would also have a stronger voice when SIOFA develops fisheries measures and compliance arrangements.

This fuller role would connect India’s fishing opportunities with better information and shared governance. It could help Indian authorities and enterprises plan responsible operations, while allowing India to advance national strategic priorities. The article presents accession as a way to strengthen India’s recognised presence in global fisheries governance.

SIOFA’s objectives include improving scientific understanding, supporting sustainable harvests, and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. India’s accession would let it collaborate with other Cooperating Parties on these shared goals. That cooperation matters because high-seas resources cross operating areas and require common rules.

The agreement provides several mechanisms. India could participate in scientific assessments, research programmes, and stock assessments. It could also contribute to the High Seas Boarding and Inspection Scheme, which has been adopted and is set to be implemented under SIOFA. These tools improve knowledge, oversight, and compliance.

India’s active involvement could help protect marine resources and their long-term viability. It would also support fishing communities by linking new opportunities with responsible practices. The article identifies national coastal security as another benefit of participation in high-seas inspections.

An exclusive economic zone is a maritime area where a coastal state has specified rights over resources, while the high seas lie beyond national maritime jurisdiction. The high seas are therefore not controlled by one coastal country. Fishing there requires cooperation among states and agreed international rules.

SIOFA provides that framework in the Southern Indian Ocean. It governs covered resources such as fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and other sedentary species in its area. It excludes highly migratory species and sedentary resources under coastal-state fishery jurisdiction. Its work includes science, sustainable harvests, and compliance.

This division explains why SIOFA matters to India. Indian vessels currently operate largely within 60–80 nautical miles of the EEZ, but India wants wider high-seas capacity. Accession would provide legitimate access, participation in governance, and a recognised role alongside existing international fleets.