Gandhinagar: A bill to amend the Gujarat Fisheries Act of 2003 is to be introduced in ongoing assembly session to pave the way for this new body.

The Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to create the Gujarat State Fisheries Port and Aquaculture Development Authority. This authority will be responsible for the development, management, and regulation of the fisheries sector in the state, including the crucial area of aquaculture.

Key Focus on Aquaculture

The bill introduces several new definitions to the existing act, highlighting the importance of aquaculture:

• Aquaculture: The farming of fish, shrimp, prawns, and seaweed in fresh, brackish, or salt water, under controlled conditions.

• Aquaculture Business: Activities related to the production, manufacturing, supply, dealership, distribution, sales, and services of aquaculture inputs, equipment, harvest, and post-harvest operations.

• Aquaculture Business Operations: All operations and activities undertaken to conduct aquaculture business.

• Aquaculture Equipment: Devices, tools, instruments, and accessories used in aquaculture, such as aerators and automatic feeders.

• Aquaculture Farm: A facility where water can be stored for aquaculture.

• Aquaculture Farmers: Individuals, firms, or companies involved in aquaculture.

• Aquaculture Harvest Operations: Activities undertaken to harvest aquaculture produce.

• Aquaculture Inputs: Seeds, feed, feed supplements, chemicals, products, medicines, and other materials used directly or indirectly in aquaculture.

• Aquaculture Post-Harvest Operations: Activities from harvest to the sale of produce to the customer, including weighing, icing, transportation, pre-processing, processing, value addition, packaging, preservation, storage, cold chain, trade, marketing, and export.

Objectives of the Amendment

The amendment bill aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To establish the Gujarat State Fisheries Port and Aquaculture Development Authority for integrated and specialized management of the fisheries sector, including aquaculture.

• To comprehensively develop the fisheries sector, including aquaculture, through the establishment of the authority.

• To ensure holistic and systematic development of the fisheries sector in Gujarat by integrating the management of fishing ports with aquaculture management.

• To oversee the management, regulation, and development of the fisheries sector.

• To play a crucial role in licensing, quality control, infrastructure support, and financial assistance, thereby ensuring balanced and sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in Gujarat.

Functions and Powers of the Authority

The proposed authority will have the power to:

• Conduct surveys and studies related to aquaculture.

• Issue orders for services related to aquaculture and ports.

• Initiate research and development programs.

• Promote training and skill development programs.

• Collect and interpret market data related to seafood exports for the benefit of aquaculture farmers.

• Inspect and audit aquaculture farms, hatcheries, feed production units, and other related units to ensure quality standards.

• Enter and inspect aquaculture production, processing, distribution, and sales units.

• Impose penalties for violations of the act.

• Form committees or sub-committees for the effective functioning of the authority.

• Exercise any other powers as per the rules under this act.

The authority will also be responsible for various functions, including:

• Developing, regulating, and controlling fisheries harbor terminals.

• Acquiring land and purchasing equipment for fisheries harbor terminals.

• Providing safety measures for the arrival and departure of vessels and for coastal establishments at fisheries harbor terminals.

• Ensuring the swift and hygienic handling and disposal of fish within fisheries harbor terminals.

• Maintaining cleanliness and pollution-free conditions in the fisheries harbor area.

• Promoting aquaculture-based organizations and industries to increase production, productivity, sustainability, and profitability.

• Promoting, monitoring, and regulating the production, distribution, and sale of inputs like seeds, feed, chemicals, products, medicines, and equipment, while ensuring adherence to standards, policies, and environmental safety.

• Monitoring, controlling, and inspecting diseases in aquaculture.

• Intervening in aquaculture activities to protect the interests of stakeholders during emergencies, in consultation with them.

• Achieving financial stability for the authority.

• Providing market intelligence services to aquaculture farmers.

• Promoting technology transfer through collaboration with national and international organizations.

• Managing, conserving, and developing aquaculture resources and the aquaculture industry.

• Certifying and promoting aquaculture inputs.

• Assisting in the establishment of aquaculture infrastructure, including hatcheries, feed mills, and processing facilities.

• Promoting scientific research, innovation, and adoption of modern technology for sustainable aquaculture development.

• Supporting aquaculture farmers and entrepreneurs with training, capacity building, and extension services.

• Advising the state government on policy matters and the statutory framework related to aquaculture development.

• Undertaking any other activities necessary for the growth, regulation, and sustainability of aquaculture in the state.

• Performing other functions assigned by the state government and any other activities for the efficient performance of the authority’s functions.

Financial Implications

The establishment of the Gujarat State Fisheries Port and Aquaculture Development Authority is expected to involve expenditure from the state’s consolidated fund. ¹ However, the exact amount of the grant to be made available for this purpose is not yet determined. ²