Fish production has increased to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25 from 95.79 lakh tonnes fish production in FY 2013-14 increasing a significant 106%.

1. At a Glance

• Fish production in India rose from 95.79 lakh tonnes (FY 2013-14) to 197.75 lakh tonnes (FY 2024-25) — a ~106% increase in a decade [1][2].
• India is the world's 2nd-largest fish producer (~8% of global output), 2nd in aquaculture, largest shrimp producer & exporter, and 2nd in capture fisheries [1].
• The sector supports livelihoods of ~3 crore fishers/fish farmers; relevant for GS-III (agriculture, allied sectors, food processing, Blue Economy) [1].

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 12 January 2026 by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying highlighting the decadal doubling of fish production and 74.66 lakh employment opportunities generated since 2014-15 [1].
• Coincides with PMMSY completing its 5-year cycle (2020-21 to 2024-25) and ₹2,500 crore allocation in Union Budget 2026-27 [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• Blue Revolution (Neel Kranti Mission) restructured in 2015-16 under Department of Fisheries to integrate development of fisheries [2].
• Department of Fisheries carved out as separate department in February 2019; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying created in June 2019 [1].
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) — ₹7,522.48 crore corpus, operational from 2018-19 [2].
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) launched September 2020, outlay ₹20,050 crore for FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 [2].
• PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) — sub-scheme launched 2024 for formalising informal fisheries sector [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; nodal Department of Fisheries [1].
• Apex Body: National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad [2].
• PMMSY outlay: ₹20,050 crore (largest-ever investment in fisheries) [2].
• Funding pattern: 60:40 (general states), 90:10 (NE & Himalayan), 100% central (UTs) [2].
• FY 2024-25 fish production: 197.75 lakh tonnes [1].
• Aquaculture productivity: 4.77 tonnes/hectare [1][3].
• Seafood exports (2023-24): 16.98 lakh tonnes, value ₹62,408 crore [1][3].
• Employment generated since 2014-15: 74.66 lakh (direct + indirect) [1].
• Global rank: 2nd in fish production (~8% share), 2nd in aquaculture, 1st in shrimp [1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Fisheries contributes ~1.1% of GVA and ~6.7% of agricultural GVA [2].
• Sunrise sector — CAGR ~9% in fish production over the decade [1].
• Shrimp dominates export basket; key destinations: USA, China, EU [3].

Social

• 3 crore fishers/fish farmers, large share from coastal SC/ST and traditional communities [1].
• PM-MKSSY targets formalisation of 40 lakh small fish workers through National Fisheries Sector Digital Platform [2].

Environmental

• Push for seaweed cultivation, mariculture, artificial reefs under PMMSY for ecosystem restoration [2].
• Concerns: overfishing, mangrove loss, antimicrobial use in shrimp farming (not addressed in PIB release).

Scientific / Technological

• Promotion of biofloc, RAS (Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems), sea cage farming, ornamental fisheries [2].
• ReALCraft (Registration of Vessels) and National Fisheries Digital Platform for traceability [2].

Administrative / Federal

• Fisheries is a State subject (Entry 21, State List — fisheries; Entry 57, Union List — fishing beyond territorial waters) — implementation depends on state machinery.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 12 Jan 2026 PIB: Decadal doubling of fish production announced [1].
• Union Budget 2026-27: ₹2,500 crore allocation to PMMSY [2].
• PM-MKSSY rolled out as central sector sub-scheme of PMMSY with ₹6,000 crore outlay over 4 years (2023-24 to 2026-27) [2].
• India recorded 38% growth in fish production since PMMSY launch (2020) [3].
• Seafood exports crossed ₹62,000 crore in 2023-24 [3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Fish production FY 2024-25: 197.75 lakh tonnes; FY 2013-14: 95.79 lakh tonnes [1].
• India's global rank in fish production: 2nd (~8% share) [1].
• India is 1st in shrimp production and export [1].
• India ranks 2nd in capture fisheries globally [1].
• PMMSY launched in September 2020; outlay ₹20,050 crore; period 2020-21 to 2024-25 [2].
• Funding pattern PMMSY for NE/Himalayan states: 90:10 [2].
• Nodal body: NFDB, headquartered at Hyderabad [2].
• Department of Fisheries separated from Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying in February 2019 [1].
• Employment generated since 2014-15: 74.66 lakh [1].
• Aquaculture productivity: 4.77 tonnes/hectare [1].
• Seafood exports 2023-24 value: ₹62,408 crore; volume 16.98 lakh tonnes [1][3].
• FIDF corpus: ₹7,522.48 crore [2].
• Constitution: Fisheries — State List Entry 21; beyond territorial waters — Union List Entry 57.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Agriculture and allied sectors; food processing; inclusive growth; Blue Economy.
• GS-II: Welfare schemes; Centre-State implementation.
• Likely stems:
• "PMMSY has catalysed India's Blue Revolution but sustainability concerns persist. Examine."
• "Discuss how India can leverage its fisheries sector to enhance farmer incomes and exports while ensuring ecological balance."
• "Examine the role of inland aquaculture vs marine fisheries in India's food and nutritional security."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Blue Economy / Sagarmala — coastal infrastructure backbone for fisheries.
• Deep Sea Mission (MoES) — overlaps in marine resource utilisation.
• Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (state-level) & CMFRI — regulatory architecture.
• WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (2022) — India's stance on artisanal fisher protection.
• Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (amended 2023) — shrimp farming regulation.
• MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) — export promotion.
• National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 — policy framework.
• FAO SOFIA Report — global benchmarking of fisheries.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Ministry confusion: Department of Fisheries is under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying — NOT under Ministry of Agriculture (separated in 2019).
• Rank confusion: India is 2nd in aquaculture AND total fish production, but 1st in shrimp — easy to mix up.
• PMMSY year: Launched 2020, not 2019 (which is when the Ministry was created).
• NFDB location: Hyderabad (not Kochi — Kochi houses CMFRI/MPEDA).
• Constitutional entry: Fisheries (within territorial waters) is State List; beyond territorial waters is Union List — both exist.