Can India’s fisheries sector weather climate change?

The earth just recorded 2024 as its hottest year ever. The evidence of global warming is clear and present. How will changing climatic conditions on a warming planet affect India’s fisheries sector? And how will the adverse effects on the sector affect fishers, fishworkers and the entire supply chain in an industry worth thousands of crores?

Research shows that certain varieties of fish might become scarce in the coming decades, and that fishing in some parts of the country is more vulnerable to climate change than others. How can India ensure marine ecosystems and fisheries remain healthy enough to provide critical food, nutrition, and ecosystem services? While there is uncertainty, we put together a picture by looking at current trends, future projections, and likely climate impacts.

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing around 8% of global fish produce. The country is bestowed with varied potential fisheries and aquaculture resources in the form of reservoirs (3.2 million hectares), floodplain wetlands (5.64 lakh ha), ponds and tanks (2.4 million ha), brackish water (1.2 million ha), saline/alkaline affected areas (2.47 lakh ha), rivers and canals (1.95 lakh km), and a coastline (8,118 km), with an estimated potential of fish production of 22.31 million tonnes.

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