In a recent meeting with state fisheries unions, farmers, fish workers, processors and exporters, the ministry urged them to grow a wider range of species and adopt the latest farming practices. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphotos
In view of the recent challenges in seafood exports due to uncertainty over rates and the impact of climate change, the Union Fisheries Ministry is advising states and the fishing industry to diversify their markets and production, reduce the risk of disease and reach customers from around the world.
In a recent meeting with state fisheries authorities, farmers, fish workers, processors and exporters, the ministry urged them to grow a wider range of species and adopt the latest farming practices, such as integrated multi-trophic aquaculture to grow more fish in the same space, to gain access to new global markets.
In fact, Union Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh recently chaired a meeting with envoys from countries considered as potential new markets. Although invited, the United States was absent from the meeting, which was attended by representatives from more than 40 countries, including China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.
Risk reduction
A senior ministry official told The Hindu that a farmer dependent on one species faces a huge risk. If infected with a disease, the seeds of that particular species could spread from state to state. In 2006-2007, for example, the white spot syndrome virus destroyed the breeding of the black tiger shrimp, a popular brackish water species, Penaeus monodon.
“We have asked farmers to diversify their species. We have a lot of species with us which have domestic as well as international demand,” the official said. “We have asked the states to promote species diversification in inland aquaculture by promoting shrimp, tilapia, pangasius in place of varieties like horn (Labeo rohita) and Catla (Catla catla) which do not have a global presence in the market. We will help the states to create production and processing clusters where production, processing, value addition and export could be done for the benefit of local farmers and can create jobs.”
To avoid farmers’ dependence on Litopenaeus vannamei (white shrimp) and ensure a disease-free species, government scientists are now working to improve two native varieties – Penaeus indicus (Indian white shrimp) and Penaeus monodon (giant tiger shrimp). “Both have good export markets. We export these species to more than 100 countries,” the official said.
Global demand
The official said there is a huge international demand for certain fish like seabass because their meat quality is good. Kerala’s popular karimeen or pearl spot also has international appeal. “Both can be grown in brackish waters. Now we are trying to develop this variety especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan where the ground water is saline in many parts. We want to turn wasteland into rich land,” the official added.
The center also decided to help states promote seaweed cages, a common practice in China and Norway. “We are now using it as a model in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. Indian pompano, silver pompano, cobia, grouper and sea bass could be grown using this mariculture technology,” the official said.
“We are creating a network and value chain to ensure that quality seeds reach the states. Each state has its own culture of eating fish. We will grow fish according to these culinary traditions,” the official said.
Published – 23 Jan 2026 23:06 IST
