The government will empower traditional and small-scale fisher and fisher groups to undertake resource specific deep-sea fishing for harnessing untapped potential of high value resources like tuna, tuna-like species, myctophids and oceanic squids. This will be done in a sustainable manner with a precautionary approach in line with global standards regarding wild fish harvests, officials said. Some of the thrust areas for sustainable utilization of the deep-sea fisheries resources are an optimum fleet size of modern fishing vessels capable of undertaking extended voyages, infusion of modern technology and capacity building. The centre, in consultation with maritime States/Union Territories will also promote conservation measures like ranching, temporary ban periods and suitable at sea’ and on shore’ alternative livelihood activities to enable fishers/fish workers gradually shift to safer and secure economic activities including mariculture. In coastal States/UTs which have specific areas reserved for traditional fishers in territorial waters where mechanized fishing is not permitted, the government will support traditional fishers in consultation with states and user groups. The government is also promoting Biofloc Technology (BFT) as the new Blue Revolution’ through which nutrients can be continuously recycled and reused in the culture medium benefited by minimum or zero water’ exchange. BFT is an environment friendly aquaculture technique based on in-situ micro-organism production. The officials said major constraints impacting the growth of marine capture fisheries in India include limited scope for expansion because of over capacities in territorial waters, weak regulation, inefficient management and prevalence of traditional fishing practices. Inadequate infrastructure especially fishing harbours, landing centers, cold chain and distribution systems, poor processing and value addition, wastage, traceability and certification, non-availability of skilled manpower, are some of the other factors constraining the growth of the capture fisheries. In inland capture fisheries, seasonal nature of five fishing operations, depleted stocks in natural waters, issues related with tenure and lease rights, use of obsolete technology for harvesting coupled with low capital infusion are some of the significant limiting factors. Specific problems negating the growth of culture fisheries include poor physical condition of resources (specially water quality and quantity), low input culture system, lack of diversity in culture practices and species, lower productivity, inadequate regulatory mechanism, increased incidents of disease and several others. Besides BFT, the government is also promoting marine Fin Fish culture which is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors in aquaculture in the world, The Fin Fish culture is rapidly emerging from its infant stage in India. India has a 2.02 million km2 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and marine Fin Fish has gained much popularity because of its high nutritional profile and huge demand in seafood basket, both in domestic and international fish market.