The Centre is placing renewed emphasis on promoting indigenous fish species in aquaculture as part of its Blue Revolution strategy, aiming to enhance sustainability, food security and livelihoods while conserving India’s rich aquatic biodiversity, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Thursday.
India’s diverse aquatic ecosystems—ranging from Himalayan rivers to coastal and marine waters—are home to over 2,800 indigenous fish and shellfish species, including 917 freshwater, 394 brackishwater and 1,548 marine species, according to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These native species play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting local economies.
While the country has developed breeding and seed production technologies for more than 80 commercially important species, aquaculture production remains concentrated around a limited number of species. Indian major carps account for over three-fourths of freshwater aquaculture output, while brackishwater production is dominated by a single exotic shrimp species, highlighting the need for diversification.
To address this, the Department of Fisheries has prioritised several indigenous species with high aquaculture potential, including fringed-lipped carp, olive barb, striped murrel, pabda, singhi, Asian seabass, pearlspot, pompano, mud crab and Indian white shrimp. Breeding and farming technologies for these species are already available, making them suitable for large-scale adoption.
The ministry said promoting native species would not only reduce dependence on exotic varieties but also strengthen rural livelihoods, preserve cultural traditions and improve resilience to environmental challenges.
Under flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), the government is supporting seed and feed availability, infrastructure development and capacity building through training and workshops.
In collaboration with ICAR, the Centre has also selected key indigenous species for genetic improvement programmes and approved the establishment of Nucleus Breeding Centres for freshwater and marine species to ensure the supply of high-quality seed.
Further, 34 production and processing clusters based on region-specific indigenous species have been notified across several states and Union Territories, including the North Eastern region, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, to boost production, strengthen value chains and generate employment, particularly for rural women and youth.
The ministry said the initiative reflects India’s broader push for self-reliance in fisheries while ensuring the long-term sustainability of aquatic resources.
