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India's association with the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement
ଖବରରେ କାହିଁକି?
Tuna has a separate commission, so what does SIOFA manage? The high-seas fisheries split for Prelims
Government approval linked to SIOFA puts the spotlight on high-seas fisheries governance.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ମିନିଟ
The Government of India has approved moves linked to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), according to current-affairs reports.
SIOFA is a regional arrangement for managing non-tuna fishery resources on the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean, while tuna is managed by a separate regional commission.
ଉତ୍ସ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ତଥ୍ୟ
Remember these
- SIOFA = Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement, a regional fisheries management arrangement
- It covers non-tuna fishery resources on the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean
- Tuna is managed separately by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
- High seas lie beyond national Exclusive Economic Zones (200 nautical miles under UNCLOS)
- Fisheries inside EEZs stay under national jurisdiction
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ · ମେନ୍ସ
How the exam will ask it
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ
- SIOFA deals with non-tuna fishery resources on the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean.
- Tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean are managed by a separate body, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.
- Regional fisheries arrangements like SIOFA do not govern fisheries within the Exclusive Economic Zones of coastal states.
ମେନ୍ସ
GS-II (international agreements) and GS-III (blue economy). High-seas fish stocks fall outside national jurisdiction, so regional bodies like SIOFA set conservation and management rules under UNCLOS-based frameworks. Engagement offers India access to deep-sea resources and a voice in rule-making, but demands sustainable practices, monitoring capacity and data-sharing; the way forward is stronger deep-sea fishing capacity aligned with conservation norms.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) is a regional arrangement for the management of:
- Tuna and tuna-like species across the entire Indian Ocean
- Marine mammals such as whales and dolphins in the Indian Ocean
- Non-tuna fishery resources on the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean
- Coastal fisheries within the Exclusive Economic Zones of member states
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: C — The correct answer is Non-tuna fishery resources on the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean. SIOFA covers non-tuna fishery resources on the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean, while tuna is handled by a separate commission.
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