← Concept Library · Polity & Governance
Polity & Governance GS 2 In the news 4 times

India's Fisheries Sector

Economic and Export Significance

India is the third-largest fish-producing country in the world and the second-largest aquaculture producer globally, contributing ~7% of global fish production. The fisheries sector supports approximately 30 million livelihoods and contributes about INR 1.28 lakh crore to the national economy.

Marine fisheries constitute ~36% of India's total fish production, while inland fisheries and aquaculture account for the balance. India's seafood exports have grown to ~$7.8 billion annually, making it one of the largest seafood exporters globally (predominantly shrimp to the US, EU, Japan, and Southeast Asia).

Key details
  • India's total fish production: ~24.5 million tonnes (FY24)
  • India's EEZ marine fish production: largely from coastal (<50 nautical mile) zone
  • Deep-sea potential: Tuna, swordfish, cephalopods — largely untapped in India's EEZ
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): INR 20,050 crore scheme for fisheries development (2020-25)
  • PMMSY target: Increase fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2024-25; create 55 lakh additional employment
  • National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Nodal agency for fisheries development under FAHD Ministry
In the news

Tracked since February 19, 2026 · last seen June 19, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

Related concepts
See it in today’s brief. Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief