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

The Central Government has approved India’s accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).

About SIOFA

• SIOFA is an international fisheries agreement signed in Rome on 7 July 2006 and brought into force in June 2012.
• It provides a regional framework for the conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources in the southern Indian Ocean.
• The FAO acts as the legal depositary of the Agreement.

Objectives

• Ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources.
• Promote sustainable development of fisheries through cooperation among participating countries.
• Strengthen scientific assessment and measures against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Resources Covered

• SIOFA covers fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other sedentary species within its area of competence.
• It excludes highly migratory species listed under Annex I of UNCLOS, such as tuna-like species.
• It also excludes sedentary species falling under the fisheries jurisdiction of coastal States.

Institutional Structure

• Meeting of the Parties (MoP): Main governing and decision-making body consisting of Contracting Parties.
• Scientific Committee: Conducts scientific assessments and provides advice on conservation and sustainable fishing.
• Secretariat: Coordinates administrative work and supports implementation of the Agreement.

India and SIOFA

• India has been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) since 2022, which limits its role in decision-making.
• Accession as a Contracting Party will allow India full participation in key bodies such as the Scientific Committee and Compliance Committee.
• India will gain better access to scientific data, research programmes and fish-stock assessments.

Significance for India

• High-seas fishing: Opens new fishing opportunities for Indian vessels and enterprises.
• Blue Economy: Supports expansion of India’s marine-resource economy.
• Scientific cooperation: Improves access to fisheries research and stock-assessment data.
• Global governance: Gives India a stronger voice in international fisheries management.
• IUU fishing: Strengthens cooperation against illegal and unregulated fishing.
• Strategic presence: Enhances India’s recognised presence in the southern Indian Ocean and participation in the High Seas Boarding and Inspection Scheme.
• Livelihoods: Can create new economic opportunities for Indian fishing communities and entrepreneurs.