India’s Fisheries Sector Growth: Trends, Challenges & Government Initiatives

The government outlined that India’s fisheries sector has grown into a significant contributor to food security, employment and export earnings, backed by a record investment of Rs 39,272 crore since 2015.

• Over the next five years, the government aims to expand value-added exports, build inland export hubs and deepen India’s presence in markets including the UK, EU, ASEAN and West Asia.

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About India’s Fisheries Sector

• Trends: 
  • Fish Output: India is now the second-largest aquaculture producer globally, accounting for roughly 8 per cent of world fish output
    • Domestic fish production rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 — an average annual growth of around 7 per cent.
  • Seafood exports: Seafood exports have more than doubled over the past decade, climbing from Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25, driven largely by shrimp exports valued at Rs 43,334 crore.
    • Major Destinations: India now ships over 350 varieties of seafood products to nearly 130 global markets, with the United States accounting for 36.42 per cent of total export value in 2024-25, followed by China, the European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East.

Government Initiatives

• Large-scale deployment of Turtle Excluder Devices: The government has started large-scale deployment of Turtle Excluder Devices on shrimp trawlers across coastal states.

• Sanitary Import Permit System: On the regulatory front, the Sanitary Import Permit system has been fully digitised and integrated with the National Single Window System, cutting approval time from 30 days to 72 hours
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): launched in September 2020 with a total investment outlay of ₹20,050 crore.
  • Aim:  To transform the fisheries sector by filling critical gaps in fish production, productivity, quality, technology, and post-harvest infrastructure
• Technology and Data-Driven Solutions: Collaboration with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) to onboard 63 Fisheries Startups and Fisheries Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO) for digital market access.
• EEZ Sustainable Harnessing Rules, 2025: Provides priority fishing access to cooperatives, introduces digital ReALCraft Access-Pass, and bans destructive fishing practices to protect marine biodiversity.

Utility of Fisheries Sector

• Contribution to Economy: According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the sector supports nearly 30 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and almost twice as many across the value chain.
• Boost to Export Earnings: The sector plays a vital role in earning foreign exchange, with marine product exports contributing USD 7–8 billion annually, particularly through shrimp exports.
• Contribution to Blue Economy: The fisheries sector is a key component of India’s blue economy, enabling sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth and ecological balance.
• Regional Development and Inclusive Growth: The development of fisheries contributes to balanced regional development, especially in coastal and inland areas, thereby promoting inclusive growth.

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Challenges in India’s fisheries sector

• Overfishing and Resource Depletion: Overfishing has led to the depletion of marine fish stocks, threatening long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.
  • For Example: Excessive fishing along the coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu has resulted in declining catch per unit effort, indicating stress on marine resources.
• Climate Change Impacts: Climate change is adversely affecting fisheries through rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased frequency of cyclones, which disrupt fish habitats and fishing activities
  • For Example: Frequent cyclones in the Bay of Bengal have caused loss of fishing days and damage to fishing infrastructure.
•  Inadequate Infrastructure: The sector suffers from poor infrastructure, including lack of cold storage, processing units, and efficient transportation facilities, leading to inefficiencies.
• High Post-Harvest Losses: Significant post-harvest losses, estimated at 20–25%, reduce the overall productivity and profitability of the sector.
  • For Example: Poor handling, storage, and transportation lead to spoilage of fish before reaching markets, especially in remote inland areas.
• Credit and Insurance Constraints: Fishermen face limited access to institutional credit and insurance, making them vulnerable to financial distress and risks.
  • For Example: Small-scale fishermen often depend on informal moneylenders, leading to cycles of debt, while insurance coverage remains inadequate during accidents or natural disasters.

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Way Forward

• Promotion of Sustainable Fishing Practices: There is a need to adopt scientific and sustainable fishing practices to prevent overexploitation of marine resources and ensure long-term ecological balance.
  • For Example: Implementation of seasonal fishing bans and regulated fishing zones along coasts like Kerala helps in the regeneration of fish stocks.
• Strengthening Infrastructure and Cold Chain: Improving cold storage, processing facilities, and transportation networks is essential to reduce losses and increase value addition.
  • For Example: Development of modern fish landing centres under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana supports better storage and marketing of fish produce.
• Expansion of Aquaculture and Mariculture:Promoting inland aquaculture and coastal mariculture can reduce pressure on marine fisheries while increasing production.
  • For Example: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a leader in aquaculture, significantly boosting fish production and exports.
• Use of Technology and Modern Practices: Adoption of modern technologies such as satellite-based fishing advisories, GPS tracking, and fish finders can enhance efficiency and safety.
  • For Example: Use of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories helps fishermen locate fish shoals, reducing fuel costs and time.

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