The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released the draft National Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.
The objectives include: (i) utilizing and managing inland fisheries and aquaculture resources in an optimal and sustainable manner, (ii) increasing fish production, productivity, and fishermen’s income, (iii) creating employment through trade of globally competitive fish and fish-based value added products, and (iv) ensuring food and nutritional security.
Riverine Fisheries
States/UTs need to be empowered to carry out habitat conservation measures for protection and rehabilitation of native fish stocks.
Production of native species in the rivers will be enhanced through seed ranching of native stock by developing dedicated seed production units in the vicinity.
Reservoir Fisheries
The management of fisheries in all manmade reservoirs need to be transferred to the State Fisheries Department(s)/Agencies under scientific fisheries enhancement programmes and efficient governance framework.
Focus on product optimization through culture based fisheries in small and medium reservoirs. Site-specific action plan for each reservoir has to be worked out by respective Department of Fisheries.
Natural Wetlands
Each State/UT has to formulate guidelines adopting scientific approach for promotion of culture based fisheries in identified floodplain wetlands.
Develop facilities for hatcheries and seed rearing in the vicinity of potential areas following scientific practices.
Coldwater fisheries
Policies and legislation along with development and conservation programmes need to be in place for developing fisheries in Himalayan and North Eastern States.
Awareness for conservation of hill stream fishes and protection of endemic germplasm has to be created among the masses.
International support/cooperation may be sought for acquiring improved germplasm, disease management and farming practices.
Aquaculture Development
Develop State Action Plans for expansion of shrimp/prawn farming in inland saline/alkaline and freshwater areas. States/UTs are encouraged to prepare Integrated Coastal Aquaculture Development Plan for each of the coastal blocks and districts.
Formulate area specific plans for aquaculture zoning using modern scientific tools.
Promote development of aquaculture in low-lying areas and lands with saline and alkaline soils which render it unsuitable for crop cultivation.
In order to ensure that the fish produced from waste water aquaculture is safe for consumption, appropriate regulatory, management and precautionary measures need to be put in place in coordination with relevant agencies.
Encourage private sector to establish fish feed mills and use of locally available ingredients in feed formulations.
