India has initiated a comprehensive national strategy to modernize its freshwater fisheries, rolling out the development phase of the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for inland small-scale fisheries. The initiative underpins an ambitious five-year vision: scaling domestic fish output to 30 million tonnes and driving seafood exports to ₹1.25 lakh crore.
Formally launched by Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi in Bhopal, the roadmap balances commercial expansion with sustainable freshwater stewardship and livelihood security for artisanal fishing communities.
Targets at a Glance
- Fish Production: Target of 30 million tonnes over the next five years.
- Seafood Exports: Projected to hit ₹1.25 lakh crore, expanding India’s footprint in high-value global markets.
- Core Focus: Safeguarding small-scale inland fishers, bridging supply chain gaps, and building climate resilience.
Strategic Focus: Livelihoods, Value Chains, and Water Governance
The NPOA is designed to address structural bottlenecks across India’s varied inland aquatic landscapes—from river basins and floodplains to reservoirs, lakes, and wetlands.
According to Dr. Likhi, the initiative prioritizes three critical areas:
- Value Chain Strengthening: Upgrading post-harvest infrastructure, cold chains, and direct market access to minimize post-catch loss and boost producer margins.
- Resource Management: Establishing coordinated governance across freshwater bodies to mitigate the impacts of pollution, habitat degradation, and competing water demands from industry and agriculture.
- Climate Resilience: Equipping small-scale operators with adaptive practices to navigate seasonal shifts, reservoir drawdowns, and extreme weather events.
Global Alignment and Multi-Stakeholder Roadmap
Developed under the guidelines of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the initiative is spearheaded by the Union Department of Fisheries in partnership with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO).
The drafting process will incorporate nationwide stakeholder consultations—engaging state fisheries departments, research institutions, local fishing cooperatives, and community leaders—to ensure that the finalized policy reflects local realities and aligns with international best practices for small-scale fisheries governance.