Indian fishers venture into treacherous high seas as nearshore stocks decline

Faced with depleted nearshore fisheries due to climate change, overfishing, and reef destruction, many of India's 4 million fishers are sailing farther into the high seas in search of better catch. This exposes them to dangers including straying into other nations' waters, leading to boat seizures, imprisonment, or even death. The Indian government encourages deep-sea fishing while also enacting policies to protect and recover coastal stocks. However, experts suggest focusing on rebuilding nearshore fisheries through measures such as marine protected areas and regulating fishing seasons, as a long-term solution to mitigate the risks faced by these intrepid fishers. (Mongabay)