Executive Summary:
On August 29, 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of Kerala, held a one-day workshop in Kochi, Kerala, on Capacity Building of Coastal States on Development of Ocean Accounts. The workshop aimed to improve the compilation of Ocean Accounts, integrate ocean ecosystem data into national accounting systems, and promote sustainable ocean governance. The event addressed the urgent need for incorporating ocean ecosystem data into India's national accounting systems.
Key Points / Main Content:
Workshop Objectives and Framework:
* The workshop aimed to improve the process of compiling Ocean Accounts in line with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework.
* It sought to integrate Ocean Ecosystem Accounts alongside traditional economic measures like GDP.
* The workshop emphasized aligning with the UN System of National Accounts (SNA) 2025, which stresses accountability for natural assets.
Key Discussions and Themes:
* Incorporating ocean ecosystem data into national accounting systems enhances transparency in GDP estimates and supports data-driven policymaking.
* The Chennai High-Level Principles for Sustainable Blue Economy and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water were highlighted as international frameworks.
* The Blue Economy Policy of the Ministry of Earth Sciences was referenced as a foundation for effective ocean accounts and sustainable marine planning.
* Experts presented on topics including SEEA and Ocean Accounting frameworks, fisheries data for ocean accounting, ocean condition accounts, satellite remote sensing, preliminary Ocean Accounts for Tamil Nadu, climate change impacts, and innovative methods in oceanography.
Outcomes and Commitments:
* The workshop aimed to develop a roadmap for strengthening institutional coordination and building state-level capacity.
* MoSPI committed to working with States/UTs, line ministries, and scientific institutions to establish a national framework of Ocean Accounts.
* Emphasis was placed on the need for evidence-based decision-making across all sectors for India's development.
Impact Analysis:
Coastal States/UTs:
Impact: Coastal States/UTs are key stakeholders in developing and implementing ocean accounts at the subnational level. They are expected to contribute to and benefit from improved data-driven policymaking for sustainable development.
Action Required: Translate workshop discussions into concrete action at the subnational level and collaborate with MoSPI and other institutions.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI):
Impact: MoSPI is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a national framework of Ocean Accounts. This initiative aims to enhance India's economic indicators and promote sustainable ocean governance.
Action Required: Work closely with States/UTs, line ministries, and scientific institutions to establish a national framework of Ocean Accounts.
Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of Kerala:
Impact: DES Kerala played a collaborative role in organizing the workshop and is recognized for its skilled workforce. Its experiences and contributions serve as a model for other states.
Action Required: Continue to contribute actively to the development of ocean accounting and share expertise with other states.
Expert Group on Ocean Ecosystem Accounts/Partner Institutions:
Impact: The Expert Group and partner institutions provide specialized knowledge and technical support for developing ocean accounts. Their research and insights are critical for informing policy decisions.
Action Required: Continue providing expertise and support in the development of ocean accounts, contributing to data collection, analysis, and methodology refinement.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI): The central government ministry responsible for statistical data collection and analysis, and for programme implementation.
Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of Kerala: The state government organization responsible for economic and statistical data collection and analysis in Kerala.
Kochi, Kerala: The city and state where the workshop on Capacity Building of Coastal States on Development of Ocean Accounts was held.
Ocean Accounts: A framework for integrating ocean ecosystem data into national accounting systems.
Shri Subash Chandra Malik: Additional Director General SSD, MoSPI, who delivered the Welcome Address at the workshop.
Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI: Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, who emphasized the need to incorporate ocean ecosystem data into national accounting systems.
Chennai High-Level Principles for Sustainable Blue Economy: An international framework adopted during Indias G20 presidency in 2023 to promote ocean conservation and responsible economic growth based on marine resources.
Blue Economy Policy of the Ministry of Earth Sciences: A policy highlighting seven thematic areas, referenced as a foundation for effective ocean accounts and sustainable marine planning.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
One-Day Workshop on “Capacity Building of Coastal
States on Development of Ocean Accounts” held on
August 29, 2025 in Kochi, Kerala
Posted On: 30 AUG 2025 9:13AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, in collaboration
with the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of Kerala, organised a one-day
workshop on “Capacity Building of Coastal States on Development of Ocean Accounts” in Kochi, Kerala
th
on 29 August 2025. The workshop brought together officers from Ministry of Earth Sciences, Directorates
of Economics and Statistics, coastal States/UTs, members of the Expert Group on Ocean Ecosystem
Accounts, experts from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Indian National Centre for Ocean
Information Services, National Remote Sensing Centre, National Centre for Coastal Research, Centre for
Marine Living Resources & Ecology, and Indian Maritime University.
Delivering the Welcome Address, Shri Subash Chandra Malik, Additional Director General (SSD), MoSPI,
extended a warm welcome to all participants and underscored the workshop’s role for improving the process
of compiling Ocean Accounts in line with the SEEA framework.
In his Keynote Address, Shri N.K. Santoshi, Director General (Central Statistics), MoSPI, underscored the
Ministry’s commitment to enriching India’s economic indicators by integrating Ocean Ecosystem Accounts
alongside traditional measures. He highlighted how these accounts complement GDP by illuminating the
dynamics of our marine resources-tracking the extent, condition, services, and assets of coastal ecosystems.
In his Inaugural Address, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, emphasized the urgent need to incorporate
ocean ecosystem data into India’s national accounting systems, in alignment with the upcoming UN Systemof National Accounts (SNA-2025), which stresses accountability for natural assets like oceans, water and
forests. He noted that such integration enhances transparency in GDP estimates, promotes fair distribution of
ecosystem benefits, and strengthens data-driven policymaking for disaster risk reduction and sustainable
development. He placed special emphasis on global initiatives:
The Chennai High-Level Principles for Sustainable Blue Economy-adopted during India’s G-20
(cid:108)
presidency in 2023-serve as an international framework to promote ocean conservation, resilience,
and responsible economic growth based on marine resources.
SDG 14: Life Below Water is central to the agenda, aiming to protect oceans and marine resources
(cid:108)
through sustainable management, pollution reduction, biodiversity conservation, and climate
change adaptation, key for the well-being of millions and the health of the planet.
The Blue Economy Policy of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, highlighting seven thematic areas,
(cid:108)
was referenced as a foundation for effective ocean accounts and sustainable marine planning.
Dr. Garg also commended Kerala’s Directorate of Economics and Statistics for its large and skilled
workforce, urging cross-state learning and the vital role of robust statistics for India’s goal of becoming a
developed nation by 2047 (Viksit Bharat). He reinforced the ministry’s support for coastal states and
underlined the need for evidence-based decision-making not just in ocean accounts, but across all sectors- so
that India’s development rests solidly on reliable, up-to-date data.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Sri. G.S. Rajath, Director, DES, Kerala, expressed gratitude to the Secretary
MoSPI, Expert Group members, partner institutions, and officers from coastal States/UTs. He acknowledged
their valuable contributions and reiterated that the success of ocean accounting depends on translating
discussions into concrete action at the sub-national level.
The workshop featured two Technical Sessions. The following expert presented their views on the concept
related to ocean accounting:
Ms. Anita Baghel, Deputy Director General (DDG), SSD, MoSPI gave an overview of the System of
Environmental Accounting (SEEA) and Ocean Accounting frameworks and highlighted MoSPI’s initiatives
and progress towards environmental accounting SEEA and Ocean Accounting in India.
Dr. Aswathy. N, Principal Scientist, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi presented
on Using Fisheries Data for Ocean Accounting Challenges and Opportunities, Evolving data and
Technological advancements in fisheries data collection. Dr. Venkat Shesu Reddem, Scientist-F, Indian
National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad suggested for ocean condition
accounts with the standardization and normalisation with other parameters of ocean ecosystem accounting.
Dr. P V Nagamani, Group Head, Ocean Sciences Group, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC),
Hyderabad, presented on Satellite Remote Sensing plays a vital role in Ocean Accounting. Remote Sensing
and Geospatial Technologies together can provide more robust and effective tools / solutions for Ocean
Accounts.
From National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai Dr. U.S. Panda, Scientist-F, told that, NCCR
along with world bank has prepared a preliminary Ocean Accounts for Tamil Nadu state informed that as pertheir estimation Ocean Natural Accounts approximately has 1% share (Rs 43000 cr) of Tamil Nadu GSDP.
Dr. Smitha B.R., Scientist-E, Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, presented
on Climate Change and Ocean Accounting: Assessing Impacts on Marine Living Resources. She mentioned
that Ocean Accounting is vital to track the health of the marine ecosystems, variation in the resource potential,
ecosystem services, and resilience of marine ecosystems. Dr. KVK Rama Krishna Patnaik, Faculty,
Physical, Oceanography, Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam spoken about the innovative methods in
modern Oceanography, highlighted the need for sustainable ocean development through proper data collection
methods. He emphasised that the ocean energy is one of the important sector of blue economy which need
immediate focus.
The day ended with the development of a roadmap aimed at strengthening institutional coordination, building
state-level capacity, and creating credible, policy-relevant ocean accounts. The workshop reaffirmed MoSPI’s
commitment to work closely with States/UTs, line ministries, and scientific institutions to establish a national
framework of Ocean Accounts, thereby advancing India’s vision to sustainable ocean governance.
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Samrat / Allen
(Release ID: 2162128)