India Joins Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement as Full Member

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Key takeaways

India elevated its status from a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party to a full Contracting Party in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).
First concluded in July 2006 under FAO auspices, SIOFA entered into force in June 2012 to manage non-tuna fish stocks in high seas beyond national Exclusive Economic Zones.
The agreement is headquartered in Saint-Denis, Réunion Island (France) and focuses on sustainable management of deep-sea marine life.
Full membership grants India binding decision-making powers and catch allocations, directly supporting its Guidelines for High Sea Fisheries, 2025 and MAHASAGAR initiative.

The Central Government approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).
This decision upgrades India's status from a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party to a full Contracting Party.

The Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) is a multilateral regional fisheries agreement and Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).
It focuses on the long-term conservation, management, and sustainable utilization of non-tuna fishery resources in the high seas of the Southern Indian Ocean.
It is an independent RFMO headquartered in Saint-Denis, Réunion Island (France).
The organization is governed by the Meeting of the Parties and gets support from Scientific and Compliance Committees.

Countries concluded this agreement in Rome in July 2006 under FAO auspices, and it officially entered into force in June 2012.
Unlike the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) that regulates tuna, SIOFA manages non-highly migratory fish stocks in international waters.
India originally obtained Cooperating Non-Contracting Party status in 2022, which allowed limited participation without decision-making rights before its October 2026 full accession approval.

The agreement covers high seas areas of the Southern Indian Ocean beyond national Exclusive Economic Zones.
It regulates deep-sea fish, alfonsino, orange roughy, toothfish, molluscs, and crustaceans, while excluding highly migratory tuna species.
It uses Scientific Committee assessments to set catch limits, gear restrictions, and protected zones around Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems like seamounts.
Authorized member vessels can inspect fishing operations on the high seas to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing.
Full Contracting Parties get binding voting rights, catch-allocation options, scientific cooperation, and vessel authorization.

This move helps Indian fishing enterprises access international waters beyond national EEZs, supporting the Guidelines for High Sea Fisheries, 2025.
It strengthens India's role in global ocean governance alongside major fishing powers, ensuring equitable access to high-seas marine resources.
It improves maritime domain awareness, ocean-based economic opportunities, and fisheries cooperation, aligning with India's MAHASAGAR vision.