Use of Latest Technologies in the Fisheries Sector

Fishery Development in India The year 2015, during a speech in Mauritius, Prime Minister Modi made a statement that is worth researching and contemplating today. The Prime Minister said, The blue wheel in India's national flag represents a blue revolution or the capacity of the oceanic economy. This speech was aimed at declaring India as a base for the global oceanic economy. That's why the Prime Minister envisioned the revival of the Ashoka Chakra and said, 'We should promote greater cooperation in trade, tourism, and investment; develop the basic infrastructure; enhance marine science and technology; promote sustainable fisheries; safeguard marine environment; and achieve comprehensive development of the oceanic economy.

Fishery development is an important sector in India. It serves as a significant food source for Indian citizens and manages government policies and programs to conserve marine life, promote fish production, and provide employment opportunities in this sector. In terms of aquaculture, India is the second-largest country in the world and the third-largest fish producer after China. The Indian Blue Revolution has brought significant improvements in fish capture and aquaculture industries. It is counted among emerging sectors and is expected to have a substantial impact on the Indian economy. The term “Blue Revolution” refers to the rise of aquaculture as a crucial and highly productive agricultural activity. It is vital for achieving both economic prosperity of the country, fishermen, and fish farmers, as well as contributing to food and nutritional security, while considering biodiversity and environmental concerns.

Fishery sector in India contributes significantly to the country's economy. It provides valuable foreign currency and employment opportunities to millions of people. Additionally, it is a livelihood means for economically disadvantaged sections of society. The country's population relies on over 7 million fishermen for fish capture. Fishery management is an important component of the country's economy, contributing 1.07% to India's GDP.
Indian fisheries have recently witnessed a transformation in the international marine-dominated fishery sector. It has contributed significantly, ranging from 36% in the 1980s to as high as 70% in recent times, to fish production. The shift from capture-based to culture-based fishing in international fisheries has paved the way for the stability of the aquatic economy. At the grassroots level, the sector supports the livelihoods of approximately 16 million fishermen, fish farmers, and value chain actors. Although there has been significant growth in international fish farming and aquaculture in the country, their full potential has yet to be realized. The country's extensive river and canal network of 191,024 km, 1.2 million hectares of floodplain lakes, 2.36 million hectares of ponds and tanks, 3.54 million hectares of reservoirs, and 1.24 million hectares of brackish water resources provide excellent opportunities for livelihood creation and economic prosperity.

History of Fisheries:

The interest in fish and fisheries in India dates back to the third millennium BCE. Evidence of the use of fish as food can be traced through the excavation of the Indus Valley Civilization. References to fish farming can be found in historical texts like Kautilya's Arthashastra and King Someshvara's Manasollasa. Traditional practices of fish farming in small ponds have been prevalent in India for centuries. In the beginning of the 19th century, significant progress was made in productivity through controlled breeding of carp in tanks. Traditional methods of fish capture have been practiced in central and southern India for over 2,000 years.

Modernization of Indian Fisheries:
The modernization of fisheries in India began after independence. In the First Five-Year Plan (FYP; 1951-56), the government recognized fisheries as one of the most promising means of improving food supply. Despite being underdeveloped, the fisheries sector was contributing approximately 10 lakh rupees annually to the national income. The initial FYP acknowledged that both inland and marine fisheries had low productivity and low consumption. It was necessary to meet the minimum dietary requirements of the Indian population.

Current Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in India:

More than 10% of the world's fish and shellfish species are found in India's rich and diverse fisheries, including deep seas, lakes, ponds, and rivers. The country's extensive coastline, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and vast continental shelf area serve as a home to marine fishery resources. Inland fisheries resources include rivers, canals, floodplain lakes, ponds, tanks, brackish water, and similar areas.

Currently, India accounts for 7.96% of global fish production. The estimated total fish production for the financial year 2020-21 is 14.73 million metric tons (MMT), with a contribution of approximately 11.25 MMT from inland and 3.48 MMT from marine sectors. India is among the top seafood exporters worldwide. The fishing industry is vital for its economy and has historically been a significant source of foreign currency earnings. Despite uncertainties in the global market due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seafood exports remained at 43,717.26 crore rupees.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest fish-producing state in India, accounting for 27.4% of the market share, followed by West Bengal at 13.8%. Almost every Indian state contributes to the production of some inland fish, with the top six states accounting for about three-fourths of the country's total inland fish production. Combined efforts in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh contribute to nearly half of the freshwater fish production in the country.

The role of the fisheries sector in agriculture.

The role of the fisheries sector in agriculture is significant in almost all states of the country's agricultural economy. Coastal and centrally governed regions such as West Bengal, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry have witnessed a substantial increase in their share in the fisheries sector. Goa had the highest share in the value of fish production from fishing and allied activities. Andhra Pradesh ranks second, followed by Tripura and Kerala. During the period from 2011-12 to 2016-17, the value of fish production from fishing showed a continuous growth of 17.91% CAGR.

Issues of fisheries development in India:

1. Stability: The global fisheries and aquaculture report of the Food and Agriculture Organization indicates that approximately 90 percent of the global marine fish stock is either fully exploited or overfished, and overfishing has reached a point where replenishment is biologically impossible. Despite having a significant amount of fish in coastal waters, high-value fish stocks are found in deep seas.
2. Productivity: Both sectors suffer from low productivity: per fisherman, per boat, and per acre. In Norway, for example, a fisherman/farmer catches/produces 250 kilograms of fish per day, while the Indian average is around four to five kilograms.
3. Lack of cold storage facilities leads to spoilage of large fish. The use of formalin for preserving fish has been banned for export to maintain the freshness of the stock.
4. Insufficient mechanization: Large-scale fishing involves small-scale fishermen who operate traditional boats: either non-motorized or with basic outboard motors. These boats are not effective in operating beyond the nearshore waters.

Government Initiatives: 

Due to the efforts of both the government and private sectors, India's fisheries and aquaculture industries have made remarkable progress towards modernization and sustainable economic development in recent years. The Prime Minister's Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a scheme launched for the development of fisheries in the country. Under this scheme, the central government has invested ₹20,050 crores in this sector. This scheme was recently initiated by the central government. Additionally, several schemes are being implemented at the state level for the development of this sector, including the Matsya Vikas Puraskar Yojana, which is applicable in Chhattisgarh.
The Indian fisheries and aquaculture sector has become the fastest-growing agricultural-related sector in the country. In recent years, inland fisheries and aquaculture have gradually increased their share in total fish production. The government has implemented several policies to enhance the capacity of these sectors. The government's goal is to increase fish production from 140 lakh tons to 220 lakh tons by the financial year 2025, which can be achieved through marine fisheries, inland fisheries, and aquaculture.