India has begun developing a dedicated national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries, placing fishing-community livelihoods, freshwater management and climate resilience at the centre of the proposed policy.
The development phase of the National Plan of Action (NPOA) was formally launched by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, on October 23, 2026. The announcement followed a two-day national workshop in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where officials, experts and stakeholders discussed the framework for preparing the plan.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Development of a national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries.
Location: National-level initiative; development workshop held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Authority/Organisation: Department of Fisheries, Government of India; BOBP-IGO; FAO framework.
Action Taken: The development phase was formally launched on October 23, 2026.
Impact: The proposed framework aims to improve fishing livelihoods, sustainable freshwater management and climate resilience.
The initiative is being led by the Union Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO). It is being developed under the framework of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The proposed plan is intended to address challenges faced by small-scale inland fishers while supporting the sustainable management of freshwater fisheries. Unlike a policy limited to production targets, the framework is expected to consider livelihoods, access to resources, employment conditions, market access and environmental pressures.
The government has not yet finalised the action plan. Consultations with fishing communities and other stakeholders are expected to shape its final provisions before the document is publicly launched.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Inland fisheries contribute substantially to India's fish production and support livelihoods across many regions. A policy that considers both environmental sustainability and the economic needs of small-scale fishers could help address long-standing challenges in the sector. The production target also places attention on how India can expand fisheries without weakening the freshwater resources on which the industry depends. The immediate development is the start of the policy-drafting process, not the completion of reforms. The plan's practical significance will depend on the final commitments, consultation outcomes and implementation arrangements.
India sets a five-year fish production target
During the workshop, Fisheries Secretary Dr Abhilaksh Likhi said India had set a target of reaching 30 million tonnes of fish production over the next five years.
According to the Department of Fisheries' announcement, the country had achieved annual fish production of 19.7 million tonnes. Inland fisheries accounted for approximately three-fourths of this output, highlighting the importance of freshwater systems to the sector.
The Secretary also said seafood exports had crossed ₹70,000 crore and were expected to rise to ₹1.25 lakh crore.
These are government-stated sector targets and figures, rather than guarantees of future production or export performance. Achieving them will depend on multiple factors, including the condition of water bodies, sustainable resource management, infrastructure, market access and the economic position of fishing communities.
The proposed action plan is intended to help ensure that growth in production and exports does not come at the expense of the livelihoods of small-scale fishers or the long-term health of inland ecosystems.
What the proposed plan will cover
India's inland fisheries are spread across diverse freshwater environments. The proposed plan is expected to cover rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes, floodplain wetlands, tanks and cold-water systems.
These environments differ in their ecological conditions, fishing practices, seasonal patterns and economic importance. As a result, a single approach may not be suitable for every fishing community or water body.
The development framework is expected to examine fishing rights and resource management, employment and decent work, gender equality, value chains, post-harvest trade, disaster risks and climate change.
Fishing rights and resource management are particularly important because access to fishing grounds and the condition of local water resources can influence household incomes. The final plan's approach to these issues will be important for communities that depend on inland fisheries for employment and food security.
Value chains and post-harvest trade are also relevant. Better handling, storage, transportation and market connections can help reduce losses and improve the value fishers receive for their catch. However, the extent of any benefit will depend on the measures ultimately adopted and how they are implemented.
Climate change and water quality emerge as key concerns
The Department of Fisheries identified climate change and deteriorating water quality as major challenges for inland fisheries.
Changes in water conditions can affect aquatic ecosystems, fish health and production. The Secretary specifically referred to concerns including declining oxygen levels in water bodies.
Such pressures can make fishing livelihoods more vulnerable, particularly where households have limited alternative sources of income. Climate-related disruptions and environmental degradation may also affect the availability and quality of fish resources.
The proposed plan is expected to incorporate measures for climate resilience and draw on the experiences of fishing communities that encounter these challenges directly.
The final framework will need to balance environmental protection with practical measures that can support fishers' incomes. The announcement does not yet specify the detailed interventions, funding arrangements or monitoring indicators that will be included.
Stakeholder consultations will shape the final document
The Bhopal workshop identified priorities for the plan's development and established a framework for the next phase of work.
Dr P Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, said the development phase would address issues including resource management, employment, gender equality, trade, disaster risks and climate change.
The proposed action plan is expected to be finalised after consultations with stakeholders and fishing communities. The government has indicated that a public launch is planned for the following month, after which implementation is expected to proceed.
The consultation process will be important because inland fishing communities operate in different ecological, social and economic settings. Their experiences may help identify barriers that cannot be fully understood through administrative data alone.
Until the plan is formally finalised, its detailed commitments and implementation arrangements should be treated as pending.
