The coastal aquaculture authority act 2005 has been amended and the Bill was passed in both Houses of the Indian Parliament in the month of August 2023.

The 2005 Act defines coastal aquaculture as Farming of shrimp, prawn, fish and other aquatic organisms carried out in controlled conditions in marine and brackish waters. The new Bill has a provision for aquaculture activities like breeding centers and hatcheries in the coastal aquaculture definition by the CAA.

The 2005 Act prohibits coastal aquaculture in areas within the 200 meters high tide line and also in creeks /Backwaters within the coastal regulatory zone. The Bill made amends to these by giving provisions to operate nucleus breeding centers or hatcheries in zones that are not under development and also to allow for seaweed culture in creeks /backwaters within the coastal regulatory zone.

Under the CAA Act, regulation of construction and operation of aquaculture farms, registering coastal aquaculture units and demolition of poultry farms in the coastal regulatory zones are included.

The new Bill includes provisions to increase standards of inputs and also effluent water treatment before discharge from the aquaculture units. The inspection procedures, testing of effluent water samples from aquaculture units and allocation of technical resources and manpower will be increased and strictly monitored.