India world’s second-largest fish producer, contributing 8 pc to global output

India is now the world’s second‑largest fish producer, contributing 8 % of global output, and it also ranks second in aquaculture production. The government says a steady rise in fish supply and exports is a result of targeted measures launched in 2015.

Since that time, officials have approved more than Rs 38,572 crore across a range of schemes. Today, India’s fish production tops 195 lakh tonnes—an 8.74 % annual growth rate. In 2023‑24, seafood exports climbed to Rs 60,524 crore.

To keep the momentum, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) has set up 34 production and processing clusters. These “species‑specific” clusters help link farmers, hatcheries, and processors and push the latest technology into the value chain.

From April to September, the DoF ran virtual meetings with over 15,000 fishers and fish farmers from all 34 states and union territories. Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of Fisheries, led the sessions. Participants raised issues and ideas that cover every corner of the country—coastal, inland, hilly, island, and North‑Eastern regions.

Key concerns from the field include:

• Better quality fish seed and brood banks – reliable breeding stock is vital for healthy stocks.
• Affordable, local feed mills – reducing feed costs can boost farmer profits.
• Improved transport and storage – many growers want better cages, mini hatcheries, ice boxes, poly sheets, and cold‑storage facilities.
• Solar energy integration – renewable power could lower operating costs for farms and processors.
• Technology adoption – drones can transport live fish more efficiently, satellite tools can help fishermen stay safe, and fishing‑zone advisories can reduce risks.

Fishers welcomed a government grant that installed transponders on their boats at no cost. The devices now give real‑time weather alerts, cyclone warnings, and potential fishing‑zone advisories, helping fishermen choose safer routes.

Together, these initiatives aim to sustain India’s fish‑farm boom, reduce post‑harvest losses, and expand markets—keeping the nation at the forefront of global aquaculture and seafood trade.

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