India Targets 30 Million Tonnes of Fish Production in Five Years

India aims to raise annual fish production to 30 million tonnes within five years, from the current 19.7 million tonnes. Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi stated the target on 23 October 2026, alongside an aim to increase seafood exports to ₹1.25 lakh crore.

Fish Production and Exports

Inland fisheries contribute approximately three-fourths of India’s fish production, while marine fisheries account for the remaining share. Fish production includes output from both capture fisheries and aquaculture. Capture fisheries harvest fish from natural water bodies, whereas aquaculture involves the farming of aquatic organisms under managed conditions. The seafood export target of ₹1.25 lakh crore is part of the sector’s five-year production objectives. Fish and fish products are also sources of food and income for fishing communities. The production and export targets are linked to improving the livelihoods of small-scale fishers.

National Plan for Inland Fisheries

The Department of Fisheries is developing a National Plan of Action for small-scale inland fisheries in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) framework. The plan entered its development phase at a national workshop held in Bhopal in October 2026. Its coverage includes fisheries in rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes, floodplain wetlands, tanks and cold-water systems. Inland fisheries include fishing and fish-farming activities conducted in inland water bodies. The plan is intended to address sustainable fishing, climate-related challenges, value chains and fishers’ incomes.

Challenges and Proposed Measures

Climate change, declining water quality and falling oxygen levels in water bodies are identified as challenges for inland fisheries. Low dissolved oxygen can affect the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms. The proposed plan focuses on sustainable fishing practices and measures to help fishing communities cope with climate-related challenges. It also includes strengthening value chains and improving fishers’ incomes. A nationwide outreach programme has been called for to engage small-scale fishers.

Important Facts for Exams

:

• India’s current annual fish production is 19.7 million tonnes.
• Inland fisheries contribute approximately three-fourths of India’s fish production.
• The National Plan of Action covers inland water bodies, including rivers, reservoirs, lakes and floodplain wetlands.
• BOBP-IGO stands for Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation.

India’s five-year targets are 30 million tonnes of fish production and ₹1.25 lakh crore in seafood exports. The proposed National Plan of Action covers small-scale inland fisheries across multiple types of water bodies.