Fisheries and aquaculture remain vital sources of food, nutrition, and employment in India, directly supporting over 20 million fishers and farmers and twice that number across the value chain. As the fastest-growing sector in India, it holds enormous potential for economic and nutritional development, said, Professor Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Professor Barange was in New Delhi to participate in the World Fisheries Day event on November 21, 2024. Hosted by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India (GoI), this event was preceded by an FAO-led session on November 20, 2024, focused on “Opportunities and Challenges for India’s Fisheries and Aquaculture with Global Trends in the Context of Climate Change and Food and Nutrition Security.” The session aimed to outline India’s challenges and opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture and foster dialogue with key stakeholders to unlock the sector’s full potential.
During the session, FAO reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical expertise and support to strengthen India’s aquaculture and empower its fishing communities.
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Professor Barange led the discussion, which drew over 30 participants, including K. Mohammed Koya, Fisheries Development Commissioner, GoI, representatives from other UN agencies like UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), World Bank, non-governmental organisations such as WWF India, private entities, and FAO’s technical programme leads.
FAO Representative in India, Takayuki Hagiwara, opened the discussion by emphasising the significance of fisheries and aquaculture for India. “These sectors are vital for India, yet their potential remains underutilised. Collaboration across sectors is crucial to elevate their role in public policy,” he said.
Professor Barange presented a comprehensive overview of India’s fisheries and aquaculture within the context of global trends. He highlighted that climate change poses the most significant challenge to aquaculture in India. “India stands as the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, leading in inland fisheries and ranking sixth in marine fisheries. Effective management is key to ensuring nutrition security and equitable livelihoods nationwide,” he explained. On a global scale, he pointed out that 600 million people depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, reinforcing the immense potential of these sectors.
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The discussion also spotlighted FAO’s Blue Transformation strategy, which envisions creating sustainable, productive, and equitable fisheries and aquaculture systems. This approach aims to boost aquatic food contributions toward ending hunger and poverty while integrating them into agrifood system strategies. The strategy’s recognition as a priority in the recent G20 agriculture ministers’ declaration marked a significant step forward.
FAO’s Blue Transformation focuses on three key objectives (i) expanding and intensifying sustainable aquaculture to meet global demand for aquatic foods while distributing benefits equitably (ii) effectively managing all fisheries to maintain healthy stocks and secure fair livelihoods and (iii) enhancing value chains to ensure the social, economic, and environmental viability of aquatic food systems.
This vision aligns with India’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a scheme aimed at achieving a Blue Revolution through sustainable and inclusive fisheries development. The programme seeks to harness the sector’s potential, modernise value chains, double fisher and fish farmer incomes, increase contributions to agricultural GDP and exports, and establish robust management frameworks.
The session also explored key topics such as the affordability and accessibility of healthy diets and FAO’s adaptability toolbox, which includes institutional and livelihood adaptation measures as well as strategies for risk reduction and resilience.
Photo credit: ©FAO/Giuseppe Carotenuto
