Fish production and export in India

India is one of the leading fish-producing nations in the world, contributing significantly to global fish supply, food security, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. Blessed with vast marine and inland water resources, the country has developed a robust fisheries and aquaculture sector that serves as an important component of the Blue Economy. Over the decades, India’s fish production and exports have increased manifold due to scientific interventions, infrastructure development, and favourable policies.

Overview

The fisheries sector in India is a vital part of its agricultural and rural economy, providing livelihood support to over 28 million people, including fishers, farmers, and allied workers. It contributes approximately 1.24% to India’s GDP and over 7% to the agricultural GDP.
India ranks third globally in fish production (after China and Indonesia) and second in aquaculture. The sector’s growth has been driven by inland aquaculture, particularly freshwater fish farming, which accounts for nearly 70% of total fish production.

Resources for Fish Production

India’s diverse aquatic resources provide immense potential for fisheries development:

• Marine Resources:
  • Coastline: about 8,118 km
  • Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): about 2.02 million sq. km
  • Continental shelf: about 0.53 million sq. km
• Inland Resources:
  • Rivers and canals: about 197,000 km
  • Reservoirs: about 3.15 million hectares
  • Ponds and tanks: about 2.35 million hectares
  • Floodplain lakes and derelict waters: about 0.8 million hectares

This extensive resource base supports both capture fisheries (harvesting from natural waters) and culture fisheries (fish farming through aquaculture).

Trends in Fish Production

India’s fish production has witnessed rapid growth over the past few decades due to the expansion of aquaculture and adoption of improved practices.

The data indicate that inland fisheries and aquaculture have overtaken marine fisheries as the dominant source of production. The introduction of carp polyculture, catfish farming, shrimp aquaculture, and integrated fish farming has significantly boosted inland production.

Major Fish Species Cultured

1. Freshwater Species:

• Indian Major Carps: Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala)
• Exotic Carps: Silver carp, Grass carp, Common carp
• Catfishes: Magur (Clarias batrachus), Singhi (Heteropneustes fossilis)
• Freshwater Prawns: Macrobrachium rosenbergii

2. Brackishwater and Marine Species:

• Shrimp: Penaeus monodon (black tiger shrimp), Litopenaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp)
• Finfish: Seabass, Mullet, Milkfish, Pomfret, Mackerel
• Molluscs: Oysters, Clams, Mussels

The whiteleg shrimp (L. vannamei) has become a key export species since its introduction in 2009, revolutionising India’s aquaculture industry.

State-wise Fish Production

The leading fish-producing states in India include:

1. Andhra Pradesh – the largest producer (over 35% of national output) due to extensive inland aquaculture.
2. West Bengal – major contributor from freshwater aquaculture and riverine fisheries.
3. Gujarat – leading marine fish-producing state.
4. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra – strong in marine capture fisheries.
5. Odisha, Assam, and Bihar – growing contributors through freshwater aquaculture.

Government Initiatives

To promote fish production and sustainable fisheries, several national programmes have been launched:

1. Blue Revolution (Neel Kranti Mission):
   • Launched in 2016 for integrated development of fisheries across marine, inland, and aquaculture sectors.
2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
   • Initiated in 2020 with an investment of ₹20,050 crore.
   • Aims to enhance fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2024–25, double export earnings, and improve fishers’ income.
3. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):
   • Established in 2006 to coordinate fishery development programmes and promote aquaculture technologies.
4. Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF):
   • Created to provide financial support for the development of fishing harbours, cold chains, processing facilities, and modern vessels.
5. Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs):
   • Enacted by coastal states to regulate fishing activities and ensure sustainability in marine ecosystems.

Export of Fish and Fishery Products

India is a major exporter of seafood, with products reaching more than 120 countries worldwide. The export sector is managed primarily by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), established in 1972.
Key Export Destinations:

• United States
• European Union
• China
• Japan
• Southeast Asia
• Middle East

Export Performance (Recent Years):

Shrimp Exports:

• Account for nearly 70% of export earnings.
• The United States and China are the largest importers of Indian shrimp.

Other Export Products:

• Frozen fish, cuttlefish, squid, crab, lobster, and dried marine products.

Challenges in Fish Production and Export

Despite impressive growth, the fisheries sector faces several challenges:

1. Overfishing and Resource Depletion: Excessive exploitation of coastal resources threatens biodiversity and long-term yields.
2. Environmental and Disease Issues: Aquaculture systems often face problems like water pollution, eutrophication, and shrimp diseases.
3. Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate cold storage, processing facilities, and transportation reduce efficiency and quality.
4. Market Fluctuations: Global price volatility and trade restrictions impact export earnings.
5. Climate Change: Rising sea levels, ocean warming, and salinity shifts affect fish habitats and productivity.
6. Regulatory and Certification Barriers: Stringent quality standards in export markets require continuous monitoring and compliance.

Future Prospects

India’s fisheries sector holds immense potential for further expansion through technological innovation, sustainable practices, and diversification. The government aims to:

• Increase fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2025 under PMMSY.
• Promote recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS) and biofloc technology for sustainable intensification.
• Enhance value addition and branding of Indian seafood in international markets.
• Expand mariculture (marine aquaculture) for high-value species such as seabass, cobia, and pompano.
• Strengthen supply chain logistics, cold storage, and e-marketing platforms.
• Encourage women’s participation and community-based resource management.