Aqua Aquaria India 2011, 6.2.2011, Chennai

The speech of Hon'ble Minister of State ---- Aqua Aquaria India 2011, on 6.2.2011 at CHENNAI


India has become the 2nd largest fish producing country in the world, producing 7.58 Million tonnes of fish during the year 2008. Fisheries sector in India contributes significantly to the nutritional security by providing livelihood to approximately 14.49 million people in the country in addition to its contribution to the national economy. The Fisheries sector accounts for nearly 14 % of the agricultural exports from India fetching precious foreign exchange worth 2.133 billion US $ during the year 2009-10. Contribution of Fisheries to the GDP is growing at a rate of 4.5% per annum and its estimated contribution to total GDP was 1.07 % during the year 2007-08.

The world fish production through capture and culture fisheries in the marine as well as freshwater regimes, has been estimated to be 156 million tonnes. Of this, more than 100 million tonnes is destined for the human consumption. The world population is ever increasing and the rising food demand is causing further pressure on the available food resources. Hence, there is urgent need to boost fish production. Since over 15% of animal protein supplies originate from the fisheries sector, the sector is identified as a major factor contributing to food security.

India is blessed with vast aquatic resources with a rich diversity of fish fauna for sustainable utilization. Our country is recognized to harbour about 2,200 species of fish, which accounted for about 11% of all the fish species reported globally. About 24.7% of our fish species live in warm freshwater; 3.3% in cold water; 6.5% in estuaries and the rest 65.5% in the sea. With a long coastline of over 8000 Kms, 2.02 Million Sq. Km. of EEZ, our 0.5 Million Sq. Km of continental shelf area is estimated to have exploitable fisheries resources of 3.9 million MT of which, nearly 3.0 million MT are presently exploited. Further, about 1.2 million ha of potential brackish water area for coastal aquaculture and 5.4 Million Ha for Freshwater aquaculture, are available in the country.

Aquaculture in India is practiced with the utilisation of low to moderate levels of inputs such as, fertilizers and feed. India utilises only about 40 percent of the available 2.36 million hectares of ponds for freshwater aquaculture and about 14 percent of the total potential brackish water resources of 1.2 million hectares. In other words, there exists tremendous scope for both horizontal and vertical expansion of coastal and fresh water aquaculture in the country. Besides, there is immense potential for the development of Mari culture, which has taken roots only in recent years with culture of mussels and oysters. Considering the substantial contribution aquaculture makes towards socio-economic development in terms of income and employment through the use of unutilized and underutilized resources in several regions of the country, environment friendly and sustainable aquaculture has been accepted as the vehicle for rural development and, food & nutritional security for the rural masses.

It also has immense potential as a foreign exchange earner. Currently aquaculture contributes about 24 % of the country’s fisheries export worth of more than Rs.10, 000 Crores. Aquaculture is the only means by which the country can increase the raw material production for export purpose. Cage culture in floating or fixed cages is another option for diversifying. Diversity of our aquaculture environmental system offers suitable sites for pen culture also. Species like Tilapia, which has great demand in international markets can be cultured in freshwater environment by adopting diverse culture systems such as semi-intensive or intensive pond culture system, raceway system, cage culture systems etc.

Government of India has permitted regulated introduction of Pacific White shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei with the objective of utilizing the potential of the species to cater to the global markets. With the introduction of L. vannamei and the international market prices recovering for all shrimp varieties, the culture production has started showing signs of recovery. The culture of the native species, Penaeus monodon, now has to coexist with the culture of exotic species and cater to the market demand for larger size prawn sector.

Greater R&D support with strong linkages between research and development agencies, increased investment in fish and shrimp hatcheries, diversified aquaculture species, establishment of aquaculture estates, feed mills and ancillary industries have all been identified as the important areas for maintaining the pace of growth of the sector.

Ornamental fish keeping, the second most popular hobby after photography in the developed countries of the world, is gaining popularity in many developing countries also. In India though our ornamental fish export sector is smaller it is a vibrant sector with tremendous potential for growth and large-scale employment generation. Considering the high place of demand and scope of the ornamental fish industry, Govt. of India identified this sector as one of the thrust areas for development to augment exports. With various developmental activities and financial schemes, MPEDA aims to make this sector a breadwinner for un/under-employed persons and also a foreign exchange earner for the country.

Though fishery is a State subject, multiplicity of organizations under various Ministries under the Central Government at times fails to have a focused attention in the national interest. This needs to be addressed by forming a separate Ministry for handling fisheries subject in the national level.

I appreciate the efforts being taken by the Marine Products Export Development Authority in popularizing the aquaculture/aquariculture practices across the country encouraging productivity, employment and the economic status of a large section of the society. I earnestly hope that all the discussions during the technical sessions will be directed towards eco-friendly sustainable development of aquaculture for optimal utilization of our resource potential. I congratulate MPEDA for organizing the exposition of this magnitude. I wish the exposition all success.