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Introduction:

The “Blue Revolution” refers to the sustainable and innovative development of the world’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors to meet the growing demand for seafood while protecting the health of marine ecosystems and improving the livelihoods of fishing communities. The sector has enormous potential to contribute to the country’s food security and rural livelihoods.

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Problems of pisciculture development in India:

• Lack of infrastructure: Primary challenges facing the development of pisciculture in India is the lack of adequate infrastructure, including fish hatcheries, fish seed farms, fish processing facilities, and transportation networks. This lack of infrastructure makes it difficult for fish farmers to produce and sell their products.
• Limited access to credit: Fish farmers in India often face difficulty in accessing credit, which limits their ability to invest in infrastructure and expand their operations. This lack of access to credit is a major impediment to the growth of the pisciculture sector.
• Poor quality fish seed: The quality of fish seed in India is often poor, with high mortality rates and low growth rates. This is due to a lack of proper breeding and selection techniques, which results in low-quality fish seed.
• Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major challenge for the pisciculture sector in India, as fish require large quantities of water for their growth and survival. This problem is compounded by the fact that many of India’s rivers are heavily polluted, making it difficult to maintain clean water for fish farming.
• Lack of skilled manpower: Another problem facing the development of pisciculture in India is the shortage of skilled manpower, including aquaculture technicians, fish health professionals, and fish processing workers. This shortage of skilled manpower makes it difficult for fish farmers to produce high-quality fish products and compete in the global market.
• Low profitability: Despite the potential benefits of pisciculture, many fish farmers in India struggle to make a profit. This is due to a variety of factors, including high production costs, low market prices, and limited market access.
• Environmental issues related to fishing, a recent WTO agreement has been proposed on illegal and unregulated

Strategies of pisciculture development in India:

• To properly plan freshwater and brackish water aquaculture, it is necessary to strengthen the current database, which is not sufficient for empirical policy analysis. By taking these steps, we can ensure the sustainable growth of the brackish aquaculture sector, benefiting both the economy and the environment.

In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India, a study found that the lack of reliable data on water availability and quality hindered the development of brackish water aquaculture. Improving data collection and analysis can lead to sustainable growth of the industry and benefit local communities.

• Leveraging the latest information technology is also critical to improving planning and monitoring of brackish aquaculture. Important to encourage this activity only in areas suitable for its purpose, which can be identified through remote sensing and GIS techniques to minimize ecological pollution and social conflicts.
• Improvements in breeding technology, disease control, feeds and nutrition, and low-impact production systems must be made to complement traditional knowledge and enhance efficiency. Both public and private policies should be formulated to provide financial support, enhance skills, and educate farmers about sustainable practices.
• Financial institutions should strengthen the flow of credit to the aquaculture sector, taking into consideration the ecology and regulatory framework governing this sector.
• The growth of the aquaculture sector, specifically brackish aquaculture, is largely driven by exports. However, in order to maintain this growth, it is essential to address the issues surrounding the ecological and economic sustainability of brackish aquaculture, while also identifying its comparative advantage through multidisciplinary and regional studies.
• Legal and institutional measures must be developed to regulate aquaculture activity in ecologically fragile zones, and these measures must be implemented and enforced by local authorities. Enforcing quarantine measures on fish seed and feed is also essential to ensure that imported material is not infected or unwanted.

Conclusion:

India possesses a significant portion of the world’s fish diversity and stands as the second-largest fish producer globally. In the current climate of food insecurity, the prospects of pisciculture are immense in providing sustenance for the growing population. A sustainable and ecologically balanced approach towards aquaculture can cater to both the environmental and socioeconomic needs of the society.

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