India Is Now The 2nd Largest Fish Producer In The World; Responsible For 8% Of World’s Fish Production

India’s fisheries sector now makes up 8% of the global production, making it the second largest fish producer in the world. Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh revealed this data during World Fisheries Day 2024 celebrations.

India’s Fisheries Sector Contribute To World’s 8% Overall Production

It was World Fisheries Day 2024 on November 21. To celebrate the contribution and achievements of fishers and fish farmers of the sector, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) put together a celebration with the theme ‘India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Small-Scale and Sustainable Fisheries’ at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in Delhi.

The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh. While addressing the crowd, he revealed that India’s annual fish production has almost doubled to 17.5 million tons in the last decade. He further mentioned that inland fishing has now surpassed marine fishing, contributing 13.2 million tons.

According to NDTV, accounting for almost 8% of the world’s total fish production, India has now become the second-largest fish producer in the world. This achievement can be attributed to the department’s initiatives like the Blue Revolution, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah- Yojana (PMMKSY).

Also Read: Himachal Pradesh Imposes Four-Month Ban On Trout Fishing; Here’s Why

3 Crore Indians Involved In Fish Production Chain

Did you know that nearly 3 crore people are involved in fish production across the value chain? This includes fishers, fish farmers, and other stakeholders. This number speaks volumes about how widespread this sector is in India. As per reports, the country stands second in aquaculture production, leads in shrimp production and export, and is one of the largest producers in capture fisheries.

During his address, Minister of Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh also spoke about the key challenges and solutions for the fisheries sector. He underscored the issues of plastic pollution, carbon emissions from traditional fishing and water pollution during his speech. To overcome these challenges, he spoke about the department’s efforts to reduce plastics, improve water quality and promote eco-friendly practices.

Also Read: Top 5 Fish Markets In Kolkata To Visit For The Freshest Catch

What are your thoughts on this interesting development in the fisheries sector? Let us know in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)