Snapshot of Indian Fisheries & Aquaculture sector (Fueling the Future of Global Protein Demand)

World population is expected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, implying a further increase in pressure on the existing food resources. Aquaculture sector can play a vital role in feeding the rising global demand for protein.

India is the second largest producer of fish in the world and about 68 per cent of India's fish comes from the aquaculture sector. In terms of employment, the sector supports the livelihood of over 28 million people in India especially the marginalized and vulnerable communities. Export earnings from the fisheries sector was $6 billion during 2020-21.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) - A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India” with highest ever investment of Rs 20,050 crore for a period of five years with effect from the financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/union Territories.

India's top export destinations for fish and fish products are China, USA, Southeast Asia, European Union, and Japan.

● Fisheries sector has demonstrated an outstanding double-digit average annual growth of 10.87 per cent since 2014-15 with record fish production of 145 lakh tonnes in FY 2020-21 (provisional)

● 74 per cent of fish production was contributed by inland fisheries and the rest 26 per cent was contributed by marine fisheries in FY2020

● 28 million fishers and fish farmers are engaged at a primary level in the fisheries and aquaculture sector

● 100 per cent FDI is allowed under the automatic route in pisciculture and aquaculture sector in India