India’s Fisheries Sector Growth & Sustainable Reforms

Transforming India’s Fisheries Sector

Syllabus

GS 3

Government Policies and Interventions

Why in the News?

Recently, on World Fisheries Day 2025, the FAO supported India’s theme “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports,” highlighting the need for sustainability, value addition, and stronger aquatic value chains nationwide.

Introduction

• India’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors have grown rapidly over the past decades, becoming pillars of food security, employment, trade, and nutrition.
• This progress reflects technological innovation, institutional support, and policy reforms.
• Yet, issues such as overfishing, climate change, pollution, and inequality highlight the urgent need for sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready aquatic food systems.

India’s Rising Fisheries and Aquaculture Landscape

Remarkable Growth Over Four Decades

• India’s aquatic food production increased from 44 million tonnes in the 1980s to 17.54 million tonnes in 2022-23, reflecting a major structural transformation.
• Both capture fisheries and aquaculture have contributed to this surge, but aquaculture has emerged as the strongest driver.
• According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, global capture fisheries produced 3 million tonnes, while global aquaculture reached 130.9 million tonnes in 2022.
• India contributed 23 million tonnes of aquatic animals, making it the second-largest global aquaculture producer.

Why Aquaculture Dominates India’s Growth

• Aquaculture expansion has been shaped by better technology, improved hatcheries, scientific practices, and supportive institutions.
• Brackish water and inland aquaculture have grown rapidly due to investment inflows, species diversification, and improved feed and seed quality.
• Private sector participation from seed production to export has strengthened efficiency across value chains.

Institutional and Policy Support Driving Transformation

Role of National Institutions

• ICAR fisheries institutes have been central in developing technology, breeding programmes, and scientific training.
• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has supported export quality, traceability, and market access.
• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has enabled infrastructure growth and modernisation.
• Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) ensures environmental compliance in coastal aquaculture.
• Government Programmes Strengthening the Sector
• Blue Revolution Initiative
• Laid the foundation for large-scale productivity improvement, infrastructure development, and modern aquaculture systems.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Focuses on production enhancement, aquaculture expansion, fisher welfare, and innovation.
• Helps integrate fishers into the Kisan Credit Card system for financial inclusion.
• Promotes safety through vessel transponders, improving navigation and rescue response.
• Matsya Seva Kendras provide integrated support ranging from advisories to service delivery.
• Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages Programme enhances resilience against climate-driven risks.
• The Draft National Fisheries Policy 2020 directs the future vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.

FAO’s Long-Standing Partnership with India

Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP)

• One of FAO’s earliest regional small-scale fisheries initiatives.
• Supported India in safer fishing technologies, post-harvest improvements, and training for small-scale fishers.
• Strengthened sea safety and reduced risks among coastal fishing communities.

Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project

• Supported India in adopting an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).
• Enabled development of National Plans of Action against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Helped conserve endangered species and strengthen small-scale fisheries sustainability.

Supporting Climate-Resilient Aquaculture in Andhra Pradesh

• Through a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project, FAO is helping Andhra Pradesh adopt:
• Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA)

Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture (EAA)

• The project aims to build a low-footprint, climate-resilient aquaculture system that can be scaled across India.
• This supports both environmental sustainability and economic gains for farmers.

Strengthening Fishing Ports and Harbours

FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)

• Assists the Government of India in strengthening fishing ports to improve:
  • Environmental performance
  • Social standards
  • Economic efficiency
• Two pilot ports — Vanakbara (Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Diu) and Jakhau (Gujarat) — will receive technical tools to:
  • Identify key challenges
  • Formulate investment projects
  • Improve value chain integration
  • Enhance sustainability and post-harvest handling

Challenges Facing the Sector Today

Environmental and Ecological Stress

• Overfishing has depleted several marine species.
• Habitat loss, including destruction of mangroves and breeding grounds, has weakened ecological balance.
• Pollution from industry, plastics, and chemicals continues to harm water bodies.
• Climate change increases sea-level rise, ocean warming, and extreme weather events, affecting fish availability.

Socio-Economic Barriers

• Many small-scale fishers and farmers struggle with:
  • Lack of credit access
  • Limited technology adoption
  • Unpredictable market prices
  • Weak bargaining power
  • Inadequate post-harvest facilities
  • These constraints reduce incomes and increase vulnerability.

Traceability and Market Access Gaps

• Poor traceability impacts export competitiveness and food safety.
• India loses significant value due to inefficient cold chains, processing gaps, and wastage.

Roadmap for a Sustainable Blue Future

Strengthening Sustainability in Fisheries

• Adopt scientific stock assessments to manage fishing pressure.
• Expand Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems for regulating fishing activities.
• Combat IUU fishing through stronger enforcement and cooperative governance.
• Promote community co-management for shared responsibility.

Sustainable Aquaculture Practices

• Follow Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) and ecosystem-based approaches.
• Encourage responsible feed, disease management, and low-impact technologies.
• Enhance capacity building for small-scale farmers on climate adaptation.

Improving Traceability and Quality

• Promote digital tools for traceability, supply chain transparency, and market linkage.
• Strengthen certification systems for quality assurance and export readiness.
• Expand cold chain networks from pond to port.

Ensuring Inclusivity and Smallholder Support

• Provide credit, insurance, training, and cooperative models to empower small-scale fishers.
• Promote gender-inclusive policies, as many women depend on post-harvest and processing livelihoods.

Conclusion

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors hold enormous potential, but sustainability must guide future growth. Strengthening technology, inclusivity, environmental protection, and value addition will ensure resilient aquatic systems that secure livelihoods, nutrition, and long-term national development.

Source:The Hindu

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the major challenges faced by India’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors and suggest sustainable strategies aligned with global best practices.