Trend of aquaculture growth in India as a commercial fish farming enterprise with diversification in cultivable fish species and farming practices

Abstract:

India possesses huge aquatic resources and offers potential for aquacultural development. Fisheries and aquaculture in India have emerged as a commercial fish farming enterprise from a traditional household fisheries activity over the last six decades, meeting domestic demand and exporting shrimps and seafood products in the international market and earning foreign exchange. Aquaculture growth is characterized by diversification in cultivable fish species and  development  of different  farming  practices  for  carps,  catfish  and  shrimps. Availability  of high quality feed and seed,  composite fish culture  of mainly carps  and introduction of exotic fish species, technological development, induced fish breeding, integrated  fish  farming,  marketing  and  trade  factors  have  led  to  this  growth  with government support.