Towards Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in India

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture

Context

• Fisheries and aquaculture in India, vital for livelihoods, nutrition, and trade, faces mounting challenges, from overfishing and pollution to climate change and inequitable access to resources.

Aquaculture & Fisheries in India

• Aquaculture refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of aquatic organisms—including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants—in controlled environments.
  • It complements capture fisheries and is vital for meeting the growing demand for protein-rich food.
• According to the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):
  • India is the third-largest aquaculture producer globally, contributing significantly to global fish supply.
  • The sector contributes 1.24% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and 7.28% to agricultural GVA.
• Fisheries in India: India is the second largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production.
  • According to the FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2024, global capture fisheries reached 92.3 million tonnes in 2022, while aquaculture hit a record 130.9 million tonnes, valued at $313 billion. India contributed 10.23 million tonnes.
  • Fish production has more than doubled in the past decade—from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013–14 to 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, marking a 104% increase.
• The sector supports the livelihoods of over 3 crore fishers and fish farmers across the country.
  • More than 26 lakh stakeholders are registered on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) as of August 2025.

India’s Major Aquaculture & Fisheries Zones

• Marine Fisheries Zones: India has an extensive coastline of 11,098.81 km, supporting for aquaculture and fisheries sector, including:
  • West Coast (Arabian Sea): From Gujarat to Kerala, including Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
  • East Coast (Bay of Bengal): From West Bengal to Tamil Nadu including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
• Inland Fisheries Zones: India’s inland fisheries are supported by rivers, reservoirs, ponds, tanks, and wetlands, especially in:
  • Eastern India: West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
  • Southern India: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
  • Central and Northern India: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh
• Brackish Water Aquaculture Zones: Brackish water aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, is concentrated in Andhra Pradesh (over 60% of India’s shrimp production), Tamil Nadu and Odisha, and West Bengal (Traditional Bheri Systems in the Sundarbans).

Key Concerns in the Sector

• Environmental Stress: Overfishing, habitat degradation, and water pollution are straining aquatic ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and long-term productivity.
  • In Kashmir’s Wular Lake, mass fish deaths—especially of snow trout—have been linked to illegal fishing practices using electric shocks, which devastate aquatic life.
• Climate Change Impacts: Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns are affecting breeding cycles and water quality, especially in inland aquaculture zones.
• Regulatory and Governance Challenges: Despite new deep-sea fishing rules, enforcement remains weak. The government’s recent notification aims to empower Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs), but concerns persist over foreign vessel bans and equitable access to marine resources.
• Food Safety and Traceability: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) stresses the need for certification and traceability to maintain credibility in global markets.
  • India risks losing export competitiveness, without robust standards.
• Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities: Small-scale fishers often lack access to credit, insurance, and infrastructure, making them vulnerable to market shocks and environmental disruptions, while aquaculture is a major employment generator.

Related Efforts & Initiatives

• Institutional and Policy Drivers: National agencies — including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), MPEDA, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) — have driven innovation and sustainability across the value chain.
  • Private sector investments have strengthened hatcheries, feed production, and export-oriented value addition.
• Transformative Government Initiatives: Flagship programmes like Blue Revolution and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) have accelerated inland and coastal aquaculture, improved safety standards, and enhanced regulatory frameworks.
• Key Reforms:
  • Vessel transponders for fisher safety and marine monitoring;
  • Kisan Credit Card inclusion for digital and financial access;
  • Matsya Seva Kendras for integrated fisheries support;
  • Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages Programme to enhance adaptation;
  • Draft National Fisheries Policy (2020) for sustainable governance;

Other Important Initiatives

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): It includes:
  • Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs);
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF);
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana;
  • Integrated Aqua Parks Under PMMSY;
  • Artificial Reefs Deployed Under PMMSY;
  • Designated Nucleus Breeding Centres (NBCs);
• Technological Advancements:
  • Satellite Technology Integration: National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System, application of Oceansat, Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) etc
  • GIS-Based Resource Mapping: Implementation of GIS technology for mapping marine fish landing centers and fishing grounds.
• India’s Sustainable Fishing Efforts:
• National Policy on Marine Fisheries (NPMF, 2017): It places a strong emphasis on sustainability as the core principle for all marine fisheries actions.
  • It guides the conservation and management of India’s marine fishery resources.
• Regulation and Conservation Measures: It has implemented several conservation measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine fish stocks, including:
  • Uniform Fishing Ban: A 61-day uniform fishing ban during the monsoon season in the EEZ to allow fish stocks to replenish.
  • Prohibition of Destructive Fishing Methods: Bans on pair trawling, bull trawling, and the use of artificial LED lights in fishing, which help reduce overfishing and minimize damage to marine ecosystems.
  • Promotion of Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sea ranching, the installation of artificial reefs, and mariculture activities such as seaweed cultivation.
  • Fisheries Regulations by States/UTs: Coastal States/UTs have implemented gear-mesh size and engine power regulations, minimum legal size (MLS) of fish, and zonation of fishing areas for different types of vessels, contributing to sustainable fishing.

FAO’s Longstanding Partnership with India

• Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP): Enhanced small-scale fishing technologies, sea safety, and post-harvest practices.
• Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project: Supported the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), conservation of endangered species, and reduction of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• GEF-Funded Aquaculture Project in Andhra Pradesh: Promotes climate-resilient, low-footprint aquaculture under Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture (EAA) and Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) principles.
• Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) of FAO: For modernization and sustainability of fishing ports, starting with pilot projects in Vanakbara (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Diu) and Jakhau (Gujarat).
• Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for renewed commitment to ‘India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports’, on World Fisheries Day 2025 (November 21).

Way Forward: Focusing on Sustainability and Inclusivity

• India’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors are poised for continued growth — but sustainability remains non-negotiable. India needs to:
  • Regulate fishing efforts using science-based stock assessments;
  • Strengthen Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) systems to curb IUU fishing;
  • Promote ecosystem-based approaches and sustainable aquaculture guidelines;
  • Enhance traceability, certification, and digital monitoring tools;
  • Ensure inclusivity for small-scale fishers and farmers;
• Blue Revolution 2.0: It is a new phase in India’s Blue Revolution, focusing on:
  • Sustainability: Emphasizing responsible fishing, habitat conservation, and climate resilience.
  • Inclusivity: Empowering women and small-scale fishers through training and access to markets.
  • Diversification: Expanding into mariculture, ornamental fish farming, and high-value species like shrimp and tuna.

Source: TH