India’s Fisheries and Aquaculture: Its Promising Course

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture

Introduction

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is growing rapidly, supporting livelihoods, nutrition, exports and coastal development. India has become a global aquaculture leader, backed by technological change, institutional support and major schemes such as Blue Revolution, PMMSY and new digital initiatives. At the same time, environmental stress, climate risks, weak infrastructure and governance gaps show why a more sustainable and inclusive “Blue Transformation” is urgently needed.

Facts and Data Related to Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector

1. India is the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, contributing 10.23 million tonnes of aquatic animals.
2. The country’s total aquatic food production rose from 2.44 million tonnes in the 1980s to 17.54 million tonnes in 2022–23.
3. Marine Products exports increased by 11.08 % from US$ 0.81 Billion in October 2024 to US$ 0.90 Billion in October 2025.
4. Coastal states and Union Territories, produce 72 percent of the country’s total fish production and account for 76 percent of India’s total seafood exports.
5. GST on key fish products has been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent, making value-added seafood more affordable at home and strengthening India’s export competitiveness.
6. Livelihoods: Supports approximately 28 million people through fishing, processing, and related activities.

Challenges to Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector

1. Environmental and climate challenges

• Overfishing and resource depletion: Many fish stocks are overexploited, threatening their sustainability and disrupting marine ecosystems.
• Climate change: Rising sea levels can destroy coastal ecosystems like mangroves, which are vital nurseries for fish, and increasing storm intensity can damage infrastructure. Climate change also affects water temperature and quality.
• Pollution: Contamination of water from industrial and other sources threatens aquatic life and the health of the sector.
• Habitat loss: Urban and industrial expansion reduces the wetland and other natural areas needed for both wild fish populations and aquaculture.

2. Infrastructure and technology challenges

• Inadequate infrastructure: Deficiencies in cold storage, processing facilities, and transportation lead to significant post-harvest losses.
• Slow technology adoption: The sector struggles to embrace innovative and sustainable techniques and equipment, from modern fishing technology to water-efficient aquaculture systems.
• Limited extension services: There is a lack of sufficient support, such as soil and water testing, and real-time market information for fishers and farmers.

3. Governance and management challenges

• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing: IUU fishing is a major problem that can devastate fish stocks, particularly those of high economic value.
• Weak governance: Conflicting regulations across different regions make effective enforcement difficult.
• Slow technology adoption: The industry needs to embrace modern practices and technologies, but adoption rates are slow, especially at the production level.
• Limited extension services: There is a shortage of adequate support, such as soil and water testing facilities and real-time market information, for farmers and fishermen.

4. Health and disease challenges

• Disease outbreaks: Disease can spread quickly in aquaculture environments, especially with poor biosecurity measures and limited awareness of emerging diseases.
• Unpredictable interactions: Unanticipated interactions between cultured and wild populations can also pose challenges.

Incentives Taken for the development of India’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector

1. India initiative
2. National Marine Fisheries Census 2025: This fully digital, geo-referenced census covers 1.2 million fisher households across 13 coastal states, integrating real-time monitoring and socio-economic data through mobile apps like VyAS–BHARAT and VyAS–SUTRA. It supports targeted policy planning and transparent welfare delivery.
3. Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) : The 2025 EEZ Rules mark a shift to sustainable deep-sea fishing. They prioritize Fishermen Cooperatives and FFPOs for deep-sea ventures, regulate access through digital pass systems, and ban destructive practices.
4. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): Established in 2018 with a corpus of ₹7,522 crore, FIDF provides concessional finance and 3% interest subvention for infrastructure projects.
5. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): It is flex scheme driving India’s blue revolution which is launched in 2020 with ₹20,312 crore, promotes sustainable fisheries through infrastructure, safety, and digital inclusion.
6. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).

• Approved in 2024 with ₹6,000 crore, PM-MKSSY aims to formalize the fisheries sector and extend aquaculture insurance. It offers 40% premium assistance, capped at ₹25,000 per hectare.
• Integration with digital platforms like the ReALCraft portal and the National Fisheries Digital Platform ensures efficiency and traceability.

6. Safety and Monitoring

• To enhance safety and monitoring, the government is using digital safety technologies. Under the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) Project.
• The NABHMITRA app and these transponders help improve maritime safety, support real-time communication, and assist enforcement agencies in monitoring secure and legal fishing activities.

1. Institutional and Global Initiatives
2. Bodies like ICAR fisheries institutes, MPEDA and the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) have promoted innovation, better practices and value chain development across capture fisheries and aquaculture.
3. The FAO has supported India through the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP), the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) project and a GEF-funded aquaculture project in Andhra Pradesh, which focus on climate-resilient, sustainable and ecosystem-based aquaculture and fisheries management.
4. Under a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), FAO assists India in enhancing fishing port capacities to address environmental and social challenges. Two pilot ports—Vanakbara (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Diu) and Jakhau (Gujarat)—will receive support to identify strategic investment projects that strengthen sustainability and value chains.

Way forward

1. Strengthen science-based management by mapping fish stocks, setting catch limits, curbing IUU fishing, strictly enforcing coastal regulations, and aligning national practices with FAO responsible fisheries guidelines.
2. Diversify production by promoting mariculture, deep-sea and offshore fisheries to reduce pressure on crowded coastal and inland waters and to unlock the underused potential of the EEZ.
3. Upgrade infrastructure by expanding harbours, landing centres, cold chains, testing laboratories and export hubs, and aligning these investments with PMMSY and broader Blue Economy investment plans.
4. Support small-scale fishers: Support small-scale fishers by improving access to formal credit, insurance, cooperatives, safety at sea, housing and social protection, with a special focus on women workers across the value chain.
5. Invest in climate-resilient aquaculture by promoting better quality seed and feed, stronger disease control, regular water-quality monitoring, digital tools and low-impact systems such as cage culture and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
6. Improve data and institutions by modernising surveys, building robust digital databases and enhancing coordination among the Department of Fisheries, research institutes and coastal States for evidence-based policy and management.
7. Promote value addition and sustainability through eco-labelling, improved processing, better use of by-products and community-led co-management of resources and habitats, ensuring long-term resilient incomes and nutritional security.

Conclusion

India’s fisheries and aquaculture are on a promising but fragile path. Stronger science-based management, climate-resilient practices, better infrastructure and data, and focused support to small-scale fishers and women workers are essential. With sustained national reforms and FAO-backed cooperation, India can achieve a resilient Blue Revolution that secures incomes, nutrition and marine ecosystems.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s recent policy initiatives and international collaborations are shaping the sustainable developmentof its fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Source: The Hindu