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Fisheries In India | Fisheries Notes for IBPS AFO & NABARD Exams


Fisheries in India: An In-Depth Look at a Growing Sector

India, a nation rich in aquatic resources, holds a prominent position in the global fisheries industry. As the third-largest fish-producing country in the world and the second-largest producer in aquaculture, India's contribution to global fish production is substantial, accounting for nearly 7%. With more than 10% of the world’s fish biodiversity found in India, the country plays a crucial role in both environmental sustainability and the global seafood market.

Table of Contents

Fisheries in India: Key Facts and Figures

  • Leading States: Andhra Pradesh is the largest fish-producing state, followed by West Bengal and Gujarat.
  • Economic Contribution: The fisheries sector contributes about 1.05% to India’s GDP and over 5.05% to the agricultural GVA.
  • Employment: Over 28 million people, primarily from marginalized communities, depend on fisheries for their livelihood.
  • Export Earnings: In 2020-24, India earned a whopping ₹55,234 crores from fish exports.
  • Protein Content: Fish is a rich source of protein, with 16-20% protein content, and Tuna fish boasts the highest at 25.2%.

Understanding Fisheries: Types and Classifications

Fisheries is an economic activity involving the harvesting or cultivation of fish. 
The sector can be broadly classified into two types:
  1. Capture Fisheries: Involves catching fish from natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers, or oceans.
  2. Culture Fisheries (Aquaculture): Involves raising fish in controlled environments like ponds or tanks.

Fish are further categorized as Finfish and Shellfish:

  • Finfish are aquatic vertebrates with gills, fins, and scales. Examples include Sardines, Mackerel, and Tuna.
  • Shellfish are aquatic invertebrates, including crustaceans like crabs and molluscs like oysters.

Types of Fisheries Based on Habitat

  1. Freshwater Fisheries: Found in rivers, lakes, and ponds with salinity less than 0.5 ppt. Examples include Mahseer and Catla.
  2. Brackish Water Fisheries: Found in estuaries and coastal waters with salinity between 0.5 to 30.0 ppt. Examples include Mullet and Seabass.
  3. Marine Fisheries: Found in seas and oceans with salinity above 30 ppt. Examples include Tuna, Grouper, and Ribbonfish.

Government Initiatives and Policies

To support the growth and sustainability of the fisheries sector, the Indian government has launched several schemes:
  1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A centrally sponsored scheme launched on 10th September 2020 by the Department of Fisheries. It aims to bring about a Blue Revolution through the sustainable development of the fisheries sector over five years (2020-2025). The scheme was announced in the 2019-20 Union Budget.
  2. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FAIDF): Approved by the CCEA to double farmers’ income by 2022. Proposed in the 2018-19 budget, FAIDF aims to increase fish production to 15 million tonnes by 2020 and 20 million tonnes by 2022-23, supporting the Blue Revolution. Nodal agencies include NABARD, NCDC, and scheduled banks.
  3. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Established on 10th July 2006 in Hyderabad, under the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries. Its main objective is to enhance fish production and productivity.
  4. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): Constituted on 24th August 1972, headquartered in Kochi, under the Department of Commerce, Govt. of India. MPEDA coordinates with Central and State agencies to promote market development, capture and culture fisheries, processing infrastructure, value addition, and quality control.

Fisheries Research and Development

Here's the list of important fisheries research institutes in India, organized by location:
  • Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI): Barrackpore, West Bengal
  • Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA): Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE): Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA): Bhubaneswar, Odisha
  • Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI): Kochi, Kerala
  • Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT): Kochi, Kerala
  • National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR): Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
  • National Research Centre of Coldwater Fisheries (NRCCF): Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
These institutions play a critical role in advancing the science and technology needed to support India's thriving fisheries sector.

State fish of different Indian states:

  • West Bengal: Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha)
  • Uttar Pradesh: Indian Featherback (Chitala chitala)
  • J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh: Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora)
  • Kerala: Green Chromide (Etroplus suratensis)
  • Bihar: Magur (Clarias batrachus)
  • Odisha: Mahanadi Mahseer (Tor mahanadicus)
  • Manipur: Pengba (Osteobrama belangeri)
  • Telangana: Murrel (Channa striatus)
  • Madhya Pradesh: Mahseer (Tor putitora)

List of important days related to fisheries:

  • World Wetland Day: 2 February  
  • World Water Day: 22 March  
  • World Tuna Day: 2 May  
  • World Oceans Day: 8 June  
  • National Fish Farmers Day: 10 July  
  • NFDB Foundation Day: 10 July  
  • Shark Week: 3-9 September  
  • World Hunting & Fishing Day: 26 September  
  • World Food Day: 16 October  
  • World Fisheries Day: 21 November  
  • World Conservation Day: 3 December

Important Facts about Fisheries

  • Blue Economy: Linked to the sustainable use of ocean resources, including fisheries.
  • Blue Revolution: Focuses on increasing fish production to enhance food security and economic growth.
  • Fisheries Breakdown:
    • Inland Fisheries: Account for 60% of India's fish production.
    • Marine Fisheries: Contribute 40% to the country's fish output.
  • Major Water Systems in India for Fisheries:
    • Ganga
    • Brahmaputra
    • Indus
    • East Coast
    • West Coast
  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Now extended to cover animals and fisheries, providing financial support to fish farmers.
  • Types of Fisheries:
    • Freshwater Fisheries: Includes species like Carp, prawns, murrel, and catfish.
    • Brackish Water Fisheries: Includes species like Seabass, pearl spot, mudfish, and finfish.
    • Mariculture: Farming of fish in marine environments (sea).
    • Aquaculture: Rearing of fish in controlled environments like fishponds.
  • Fish Physiology:
    • Respiration: Fish breathe through gills.
    • Life Span: Fish can live from just over 1 year to about 120 years.
    • Reproduction: The majority of freshwater fish are egg-layers.
    • Lateral Line System: Fish have an external sensory system called the lateral line for detecting movement and vibrations in the water.
  • Notable Fish Species:
    • World’s Smallest Freshwater Fish: Pandakapygmaea.
    • World’s Smallest Marine Fish: Eviotazonura.
    • World’s Largest Freshwater Fish: Huso huso (Beluga Sturgeon) and Arapaima gigas.
    • World’s Largest Marine Fish: Rhincodon typus (Whale Shark).

Conclusion

India's fisheries sector is a cornerstone of the country's agricultural economy, providing food, employment, and significant export earnings. With ongoing government support and sustainable practices being adopted, the future of fisheries in India looks promising. The Blue Revolution is not just a goal; it’s a journey towards a prosperous and sustainable fisheries industry, contributing to the global food basket.

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