A REVIEW ON DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN INLAND FISHERIES OF INDIA

The future sustainability of aquatic food resources hinges upon the success of fisheries, making it a cornerstone for meeting the escalating demand for food. However, the sustainable development of the fisheries sector faces a critical challenge in the form of diseases, necessitating adept management strategies. Over recent years, aquaculture production has shifted away from extensive culture systems towards semi-intensive and intensive technologies. However, disease management becomes paramount, as it poses a substantial challenge to the expansion and sustained viability of the aquaculture industry, leading to increased production costs. The current study seeks to enhance our understanding of fish diseases and their effective management. Diseases induced by fish pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have the potential to cause significant financial losses to aquaculture industries. Outbreaks commonly occur when fish experience stress due to various physical, chemical, and biological factors, including suboptimal nutrition. Effectively managing stock, soil, water, nutrition, and the environment proves to be a pivotal strategy in controlling or preventing disease problems within any aquaculture system. In the context of India, fish farmers often lack expertise in aquaculture health management strategies. This study addresses this gap by focusing on fish diseases management, recognizing its critical importance to the fish farming industry. The aim is to identify major gaps and formulate policies that can fortify and streamline disease management in inland fisheries. The insights derived from this paper are anticipated to enhance the disease management skills of fish farmers involved in aquaculture practices. By addressing the challenges posed by diseases in aquaculture, this research contributes to the overall sustainability and productivity of the fisheries sector, paving the way for informed policies and practices in aquaculture health management.