New Delhi: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released a concept paper titled “Methodological Approach for Compilation of Experimental Monetary Asset Accounts of Marine Fish Resources”, aligned with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Central Framework, endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission as an international statistical standard.
This concept paper is issued as an open invitation for comments and feedback from experts, researchers, government agencies, and international organisations. Responses received will assist in the finalisation of a standardised methodology for monetary valuation of fish resources within India’s national accounts framework, placing India at the forefront of natural capital accounting among emerging economies. Accurate and transparent monetary valuation of fish resources will serve as a foundational input for data-driven policymaking and sustainable development, according to a MOSPI statement.
Feedback may be submitted to the Environment Unit, Social Statistics Division, MoSPI at ssd-mospi[at]gov[dot]in.
Since 2018, the MoSPI has been following the UN SEEA Framework and compiling various environmental accounts through the EnviStats India series covering various subjects like land, water, forest, pollination, minerals, etc. Building on this foundation, it has taken a further step by initiating the exploration of the methodological approach for developing experimental monetary asset accounts for marine fish resources.
The concept paper highlights the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of India’s fisheries sector, including its contribution to the economy and other key fisheries statistics. It also presents the concepts, terminology, classifications, and institutional arrangements followed in the fisheries sector in India, together with an assessment of the availability of relevant data for compiling natural resource accounts.
The paper further describes the accounting framework and key concepts of the SEEA Central Framework and presents a methodological approach for compiling marine fishery resource accounts. Drawing on the methodology proposed in the OECD (2025), Measuring Natural Resources in the National Accounts: A Compilation Guide, the paper assesses its practical applicability in the Indian context, taking into account the availability of data and existing institutional arrangements. It also demonstrates the step-by-step compilation of marine fishery resource accounts using available data, while identifying key data gaps, methodological constraints, and areas for future improvement
The monetary asset account framework provides the accounting structure for integrating physical stock condition, asset life, depletion, regeneration and monetary valuation within the SEEA-based environmental-economic accounting system. The integrated assessment of physical and monetary accounts demonstrates the importance of recognising fish resources simultaneously as biological resources and economic assets within the SEEA-based environmental-economic accounting framework.
The framework developed under the study improves understanding of changes in marine resource wealth and strengthens the analytical usefulness of fisheries statistics for sustainability assessment, marine resource planning and evidence-based fisheries management.
Fish resources constitute an important component of natural resources. Sustained dependence on fisheries for nutritional security and economic activity has increased the importance of systematically assessing stock condition, sustainability, long-term productive capacity and valuation of fish resources within an environmental-economic accounting framework. Economic valuation provides a means for measuring and comparing the various benefits of fisheries resources and their ecosystems, and can be a powerful tool to aid and improve their wise use and management, the statement added.
(IANS)
