Marine and Coastal Pollution: Causes, Consequences, and India’s Multidimensional Response

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A container from the ship MSC ELSA-3 that washed ashore at Tharayilkadavu in Alappuzha on May 25. Photo: SURESH ALLEPPEY

Introduction

Marine and coastal pollution is a growing environmental, economic, and public health concern globally. India, with its 7,500 km-long coastline and millions dependent on coastal and marine resources, faces the dual challenge of managing marine ecosystem health while ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Incidents like the sinking of MSC Elsa-3 off Kerala’s coast, which released hazardous cargo and microplastics into the sea, exemplify the urgent need for robust scientific, legal, and policy responses. India has taken several forward-looking steps at both national and international levels to curb marine and coastal pollution and promote climate-resilient coastal communities.


Body

I. Causes of Marine Pollution

A. Land-Based Sources (≈80%)

  • Industrial, agricultural, and municipal runoff.

  • Plastics and solid waste through rivers and storm drains.

  • Toxic substances: heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, radioactive materials.

B. Marine-Based Sources

  • Oil spills, ship waste, fishing gear, and maritime accidents.

  • Abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), known as ghost nets.

II. Effects of Marine Pollution

A. Environmental Impacts

  • Marine life ingesting microplastics and toxic substances.

  • Biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.

  • Coral bleaching and bioaccumulation of toxins.

B. Economic and Livelihood Impacts

  • Contamination of fish leading to market collapse.

  • Costly clean-up operations and restoration.

  • Loss of income for fishers and tourism operators.

C. Public Health Hazards

  • Illnesses from contaminated seafood and harmful algal blooms.

  • Long-term health effects due to toxin accumulation in the food chain.

III. Government and Scientific Initiatives

A. Legal and Institutional Framework

  • MARPOL Convention: India is a signatory to the global framework for preventing marine pollution.

  • Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 & Rules, 2009: Regulate pollution from shipping.

  • Periodic inspections: Scheduled and surprise inspections of Indian and foreign vessels under Flag State and Port State Control regimes.

  • Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981 & Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs): Control foreign and domestic illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

B. National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017)

  • Highlights microplastic pollution and ghost nets.

  • Advocates regulatory control over land and sea-based pollutants.

  • Encourages ecosystem monitoring and pollution mitigation.

C. Department of Fisheries: Major Projects and Reforms

1. Global Partnerships:

  • Glolitter and Reglitter Projects (with FAO & IMO): Combat sea-based plastic litter, especially ALDFG and ship waste.

  • National Action Plan (NAP) for reducing marine plastic litter from sea-based sources.

2. Conservation and Regulation:

  • Ban on destructive fishing methods (e.g., pair trawling, LED lights).

  • Establishment of artificial reefs, sea ranching, and seaweed farming.

  • Uniform fishing ban during breeding season (61 days).

  • Promotion of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets.

  • Implementation of mesh size regulations and minimum legal size of fish to prevent juvenile fishing.

3. Climate Resilience:

  • 100 villages identified as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under PMMSY.

  • Infrastructure support: fish drying yards, jetties, cold storages, rescue facilities.

  • Promotion of climate-resilient aquaculture (seaweed, bivalves, ornamental fish).

4. Technological and Digital Integration:

  • ReALCraft portal for fishing vessel registration and licensing.

  • Biometric identity cards for fishers.

  • Fishery Survey of India (FSI) awareness drives on FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF).

  • MoU with ONDC to enable fishers to sell produce digitally.

  • Fish Market Price Information System (FMPIS) launched in 2018–19 for real-time price updates in 111 markets.

D. Scientific Monitoring and Research

  • National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under MoES:

    • Deploys real-time water quality buoys.

    • Conducts marine outfall studies.

    • Uses molecular tools and collaborates with international institutions (JAMSTEC, CeFAS, NIVA).

  • IAEA’s role:

    • Radiolabelled tracers for microplastic tracking.

    • Isotopic analysis (Lead-210, Caesium-137) to reconstruct pollution timelines.

    • Receptor-binding assays to detect algal biotoxins.

  • UNEP:

    • Global Programme of Action, Regional Seas Programme, and GPML Platform supporting global coordination.

IV. Solutions and Way Forward

  • Strengthen regulation and enforcement through real-time surveillance and stricter penalties.

  • Ban high-risk pollutants and ghost gear from entering the ocean.

  • Promote eco-friendly livelihoods and aquaculture practices.

  • Scale up digital marketing platforms for fisherfolk and promote price transparency.

  • Expand citizen participation in marine litter cleanups and beach monitoring.

  • Boost international partnerships and funding for marine conservation technologies.

Conclusion

India’s marine environment faces diverse threats from plastic pollution, IUU fishing, and industrial waste. However, the Government of India has mounted a multi-layered response—from scientific research and global cooperation to socioeconomic support for fishers and digital empowerment. With continued focus on regulation, sustainability, and climate resilience, India is paving the way for a blue economy that protects both the ocean and the communities that depend on it.

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