The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023

The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023

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The central government recently recommended the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 to improve ease of doing business. It is an amendment bill to the 2005 CAA Act.

Definition of Coastal Aquaculture

• It includes cultivating or culturing fish, prawn, shrimp and other similar aquatic species in brackish or saline water or in controlled conditions like ponds, enclosures, pens or within coastal waters.

• Freshwater aquaculture is out of the purview of Coastal Aquaculture.

Understanding Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) Act 2005

• Coastal Aquaculture Authority – The CAA was introduced through this Act.

• The Authority’s major goal is to manage the activities of coastal aquaculture in coastal areas so that there is sustainable growth without inducing any harm to the coastal ecosystem.

• CAA includes a Chairperson who can be a former or current HC judge with proficiency in coastal aquaculture.

• CAA members are nominated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Commerce, Central Department of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and a member secretary and 4 members on rotation basis from the coastal states.

• Coastal Area – It is attributed to those areas which are affirmed by the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and also other areas which are proclaimed by the Central Government through the Environment Protection Act 1986.

Amendment Bill 2023 – New Provisions

• Definition – The ‘coastal’ definition is broadened to include cultivation and rearing of all stages of fish life including mollusc, seaweed, crustacean, finfish and similar other variants.

• It encourages friendly environmental aquaculture like seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture, cage culture, pearl oyster culture and bi-valve culture.

• It strengthens creation of facilities to produce seeds and disease-free, genetically advanced brood stocks in seawater-accessible regions for employing in coastal aquaculture. Brood stocks aid breeding objective in aquaculture.

• Brood Stock Multiplication Centre – For rearing marine creatures under stringent disease surveillance and ample biosecurity.

• Antibiotics Usage – The Bill aims to inhibit pharmacologically-active elements and antibiotics usage in coastal aquaculture to maintain human health.

• Biosecurity – The Bill introduces plans for preventing and analyzing the risks of spreading or introducing harmful organisms such as bacteria and virus into regions practising coastal aquaculture.

Source - The Indian Express & National Fisheries Development Board