Framework of fish farming in Assam

Assam has set an ambitious target of producing seven lakh tonnes of fish by 2030. Achieving the  target will require the state to increase the current fish production by 40% over the next five years. Addressing sustainability challenges posed by climate change impact on fish farming will be crucial to cater to rising demand. An increase in disposable income will further push the per capita fish consumption, which needs to be considered to accurately project the demand growth in the coming years. With 90% of the state’s population consuming fish, an increase in population naturally pushes up the fish demand, and the state becoming self-reliant to meet this demand is vital for its economy and reduces dependence on supplies from other states. Rising fish consumption puts pressure on inland fisheries and increases the risk of overexploitation of fish stock in natural water bodies. Fish stocks in protected areas such as reserved forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries play the most crucial role in the conservation of local fish species. These stocks replenish the wetlands when fish migrate to wetlands connected to rivers and forest streams during flood season. Conservation of the ecology of these rivers and forest streams and the floodplain is essential to ensure that natural migration of fish from protected areas continues without disruption. Diversion of forest for infrastructure projects such as expansion of highways, construction of greenfield highways, expansion of railway lines, and laying of new tracks results in fragmentation of the forest patches in protected areas and adverse impact on the ecology of rivers and streams. The rising atmospheric temperature and extreme weather events have given rise to conservation threats to the natural waterbodies and their ecology, which calls for mitigation measures to conserve indigenous and endangered fish species. The strategy for increasing production to prevent overexploitation in natural waterbodies such as wetlands, rivers, and lakes is to promote aquaculture through controlled cultivation in ponds and tanks and rearing fish in floating enclosures placed in rivers, lakes, etc. Adoption of technology has unlocked vast potential in aquaculture besides increasing production. Apart from meeting the requirement of food and nutrition, an increase in inland fisheries and aquaculture creates huge livelihood avenues in the entire fish value chain that involves fish farming, feed management, fish trade, and transportation. Sustainable commercial aquaculture demands availability of quality fish seeds so that survival and growth rates are high to ensure good return. In natural waterbodies, spawning season is determined by seasonal changes in water temperature, rainfall, and migration behaviour of different fish species, which explain the limited production and seasonal availability. In aquaculture, the natural environments can be mimicked through the controlling of temperature, light, use of hormones, and fish seeds, which allows offseason breeding of different species to cater to market demand round the year. Fish seed production getting equal priority with that of increasing total fish production in the state needs a stronger policy push so that the increase in commercial fish production is sustainable. As of now the primary focus is on meeting the state’s consumption demand. Motivating fish farmers and fish entrepreneurs in aquaculture to tap the growing demand of fish in neighbouring states and global markets of freshwater aquaculture fish products can help transform traditional fish farmers into key stakeholders of the growing fish industry. Health-conscious consumers in many countries have added freshwater fish to their daily diet, as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and is low in saturated fat with lean protein, which has unlocked growing market opportunities for those involved in freshwater aquaculture. The establishment of more fishery colleges in Assam will go a long way in enhancing fishery education and training of fish farmers on changing global trends in fish production and timely adoption of climate-compatible fish farming technology, which will greatly contribute towards making the state a hub of commercial fish production. Such transformative change will be possible only through mindset change and learning to look beyond the demand and supply situations within the state. The central and state governments providing more funding support for research on local fish species and increasing commercial production of these species and seeds will help in developing indigenous aquaculture technology, which may find markets outside. The greater challenge for policymakers is to transform fish farming as a subsistence livelihood for most traditional fish farmers into a vibrant economic activity that helps them to leverage the natural advantage of having abundant water resources, a climate favourable for fish farming, cultural practices, and rich fish genetic resources. Policies in place and a framework for implementation of the policies, programmes and schemes can act as catalysts in such a transformation if they allow the space for innovative ideas and experimentation and the necessary funds and ecosystem. A section of youth taking up aquaculture is an encouraging development, but given the abundance of natural water bodies in the state and market potential, there is scope for more youths to join the blue revolution and intensify it.