India has reaffirmed its position as a global fisheries powerhouse, ranking as the second-largest fish producer in the world and contributing nearly 8 per cent to global output. According to the Department of Fisheries, the country has also secured the second spot in aquaculture production, marking a major milestone in its growing role in global food security and trade.
The achievements come on the back of targeted interventions since 2015, with cumulative government-approved investments and announcements reaching ₹38,572 crore across schemes in the sector. As a result, total fish production has surged to 195 lakh tonnes, supported by an impressive annual growth rate of 8.74 per cent.
Seafood exports have provided further evidence of the sector’s upward trajectory, reaching ₹60,524 crore in the financial year 2023-24. To sustain this growth, the government has notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters nationwide. These clusters aim to strengthen value chains, with a focus on specific species, and deploy advanced technologies to enhance production and processing standards.
Between April and September this year, the Department of Fisheries facilitated a series of virtual stakeholder interactions. The exercise reached more than 15,000 fishers and fish farmers from 34 states and union territories. Led by Fisheries Secretary Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, these discussions covered coastal, inland, hilly, island, and North-Eastern regions, ensuring representation from nearly every district.
These interactions provided a platform for participants to share challenges and aspirations while highlighting pressing needs. Among the concerns raised were the availability of quality fish seed, establishment of brood banks, and provision of affordable feed and local feed mills. Stakeholders also sought improved support for infrastructure, including transport, cage culture, mini hatcheries, ice boxes, poly sheets, cold storage, and aquaculture facilities with an emphasis on renewable energy integration such as solar power.
Technology-driven solutions also featured prominently in the deliberations. Fishers spoke about the potential use of drones for live fish transport to expand markets, the application of satellites for ensuring safety at sea, and timely Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories to optimise operations. These measures, they said, would not only improve efficiency but also strengthen resilience in the face of climate challenges.
The government’s initiative to provide fishing vessels with free-of-cost transponders received particular appreciation from stakeholders. These devices, now installed across a growing fleet, deliver vital information such as PFZ advisories, real-time weather alerts, and cyclone updates. According to the ministry, the technology has been instrumental in guiding fishers along safer routes, enhancing security at sea and reducing risks to life and livelihood.
Officials noted that the collective outcome of policy interventions, technological adoption, and direct engagement with stakeholders has created momentum for the sector. By addressing local-level challenges while expanding global market opportunities, the fisheries industry is positioned as both an economic driver and a critical pillar of food security.
With exports on the rise and production steadily expanding, India’s fisheries sector has become integral to rural livelihoods as well as national trade. The government has reiterated its commitment to continuing its support through investment in infrastructure, modernisation, and capacity-building, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared widely among fishers and fish farmers.
The Department of Fisheries emphasised that these initiatives are not only about increasing production but also about embedding sustainability and inclusivity. By empowering local communities with tools, knowledge, and technologies, the sector aims to balance growth with environmental responsibility.
As India strengthens its global standing, the fisheries sector is expected to remain a vital contributor to both domestic food security and international trade, showcasing the country’s growing leadership in sustainable aquaculture and marine resource management.
