PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India. Linkage: Same as livestock rearing, fisheries are a key allied sector driving rural non-farm jobs, and are in news due to FAO support and Blue Economy reforms. Hence the topic is highly important for both GS I and GS III. |
Mentor’s Comment
India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is undergoing structural transformation under the Blue Revolution, backed by FAO support and national reforms. This article decodes the sector’s growth drivers, emerging challenges, policy transitions, and global relevance. It is formatted to suit UPSC Mains expectations with subheadings, value additions, PYQs, and micro-themes for GS papers.
Introduction
India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has become one of the fastest-growing food-producing systems, contributing significantly to livelihoods, nutrition, exports, and rural economic diversification. Despite record production levels, challenges such as resource overuse, environmental degradation, weak traceability, and constrained market access continue to limit its full potential. FAO’s renewed commitment during World Fisheries Day 2025 highlights the sector’s strategic importance in India’s transition toward sustainable and climate-resilient aquatic food systems.
Why in the News?
The FAO issued a renewed commitment to India’s Blue Revolution on World Fisheries Day (21 November 2025), highlighting India’s rapid rise as a global fisheries powerhouse. India recorded 93.2 million tonnes of capture fisheries and a historic 130.9 million tonnes in aquaculture output, making it the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer. This comes at a time when the sector faces overfishing, habitat degradation, climate stress, and traceability gaps, creating a striking contrast between high growth and mounting ecological pressures. New initiatives, Kisan Credit Card inclusion, Matsya Sampada, Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages, and private-sector-led compliance, mark a major shift toward science-based, sustainability-linked governance in fisheries.
India’s Rapid Growth Trajectory
- Record production: India produced 93.2 million tonnes (capture) and 130.9 million tonnes (aquaculture), valued at $313 billion.
- Rising sectoral significance: Livestock and aquaculture contribute 23 million tonnes of aquatic animals, creating major employment.
- Expansion of inland aquaculture: Inland fish farming rose from 12.4 million tonnes (2008) to 17.54 million tonnes (2022).
- Private sector innovation: Investments in hatcheries, exports, feed, digital compliance, and environmental standards have strengthened value chains.
What Drives Current Reforms?
- Blue Revolution initiatives: Schemes like PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) expand climate-resilient freshwater and brackish aquaculture.
- Governance improvements: New norms integrate digital licensing, KCC inclusion, and seafood traceability.
- Market efficiencies: The government introduced measures for safety, credit, and supply chain upgrades.
- Coastal resilience: Projects on Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages strengthen vulnerable fishing communities.
How is FAO Supporting India’s Transition?
- Decades-long collaboration: FAO supports small-scale fisheries, sustainability frameworks, and policy strengthening.
- BOBP support: FAO’s Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) supports governance in small-scale fisheries.
- BOBLME and ecosystem-based management: Helps India adopt science-backed conservation, monitoring, and climate adaptation.
- Harbour modernisation: Technical Cooperation Programme improves fishing harbours like Vanakbara and Nawabandar.
What Are the Emerging Challenges?
- Overfishing and resource stress: Unsustainable catch levels strain marine ecosystems.
- Environmental degradation: Water pollution, habitat decline, and climate-induced variability weaken output.
- Traceability deficits: Weak monitoring affects export markets and compliance.
- Small-scale fishers’ constraints: Limited technologies, market reach, and safety nets restrict livelihoods.
How Does Sustainability Shape India’s Future Path?
- Science-based stock assessment: Enables evidence-driven management.
- Co-managed monitoring: Joint monitoring through MCS tools improves compliance.
- Digital and climate-ready practices: Enhance safety, transparency, and resilience.
- Ecosystem-based aquaculture: Embedded in guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.
Conclusion
India’s fisheries and aquaculture stand at a decisive inflexion point, high growth backed by technology and institutional reforms but constrained by ecological and market vulnerabilities. The combined push from FAO, national missions like PMMSY, climate-resilient strategies, and private-sector compliance systems can position India as a global leader in sustainable aquatic food systems.
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