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The government has introduced The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to decriminalise the offenses committed in those geographical areas so that genuine business activities get a boost. Union Fisheries Minister Mr Parshottam K Rupala introduced the Bill in the lower House. The Bill seeks to expand the scope, remove regulatory gaps and reduce the regulatory compliance burden without diluting environmental protection rules in the coastal areas. The amended law will also help usher in global best practices in this sector, including mapping and zonation of aquaculture areas, quality assurance, and safe aquaculture products. It will help encourage establishing facilities in areas with direct access to seawater to produce genetically improved and disease-free broodstock and seed for use in coastal aquaculture. The Amendment Bill also aims to promote production, productivity and exports, traceability, and increased competitiveness and entrepreneurship, leading to a sustained increase in incomes, employment, and economic activity in rural areas along the coast in an environmentally sustainable manner.