India’s annual fish production has nearly doubled since 2014, reaching 17.5 million tons, with inland fisheries contributing 13.2 million tons and outpacing marine fisheries, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, announced on Thursday. Speaking at the World Fisheries Day 2024 celebrations, the minister highlighted India’s rise as the second-largest fish producer globally, accounting for 8% of the world’s total fish yield. He praised the efforts of nearly 30 million individuals engaged across the fishery value chain for achieving this milestone.
The minister credited this growth to transformative initiatives such as the Blue Revolution, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSY). He also unveiled a series of new projects aimed at further strengthening India’s blue economy. These include the launch of the 5th Marine Fisheries Census for evidence-based policymaking, the National Plan of Action on Sharks for sustainable shark conservation, and India’s endorsement of the Regional Plan of Action on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in collaboration with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.
Other initiatives include the IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership Project to combat marine plastic pollution and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for retrofitted LPG kits to reduce marine fishing costs and emissions. Additionally, the Coastal Aquaculture Authority introduced a New Single Window System (NSWS) for online registration of coastal aquaculture farms. An MoU was also signed to implement a Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), promoting carbon-sequestering practices within the fisheries sector.
The minister underscored challenges such as plastic pollution, carbon emissions, and water contamination, asserting the government’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, improved water quality, and reduced plastic waste. He also acknowledged the sector’s fragmented structure and infrastructure deficits, advocating reforms and enhanced funding through mechanisms like the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
Awards and Global Collaboration
The event also spotlighted international efforts, with Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of FAO and Director of its Fisheries Division, presenting FAO’s Blue Transformation Initiative. This program emphasizes sustainable aquaculture, better fisheries management, and strengthening aquatic food value chains to combat global hunger and malnutrition.
Recognition was given to states, Union Territories (UTs), districts, and individuals for their contributions to the sector. Kerala was named Best Marine State, while Telangana received the award for Best Inland State. Uttarakhand was celebrated as Best Himalayan and Northeastern State, with Jammu & Kashmir earning recognition as Best Union Territory. District-level awards included Kerala’s Kollam (Best Marine District), Chhattisgarh’s Kanker (Best Inland District), Assam’s Darrang (Best Himalayan and Northeastern District), and Kulgam in Jammu & Kashmir (Best UT District).
This holistic approach to policy, innovation, and recognition marks a significant step towards India’s goal of sustainable fisheries and global leadership in the aquaculture domain.
