NATIONAL INLAND FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE POLICY

2019
Technical Committee for Drafting NIFAP
1. Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director (Retd.), ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai-Chairman
2. Joint Secretary, DoF, Ministry of A & F W, New Delhi
3. Ms. I. Rani Kumudini IAS Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad
4. Dr. Sudhir M. Bobde IAS, Managing Director, Fisheries Development Corporation, Uttar
Pradesh
5. Shri Rama Shankar Naik IAS, Commissioner of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh
6. Dr. M. V. Gupta, World Food Prize Laureate, Hyderabad
7. Dr. A. G. Ponniah, Director (Retd.), ICAR-CIBA, Chennai
8. Dr. Paul Pandian, Fisheries Development Commissioner, DoF, New Delhi
9. Dr. P. K. Katiha, Principal Scientist, ICAR-HQ, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi
10. Shri Nishat Ahmed, Director of Fisheries, Bihar
11. Shri Subrata Mukherjee, Director of Fisheries, West Bengal
12. Dr. Salim Sultan, Senior Consultant (Fisheries), NFDB / DoF, New Delhi
13. Shri K. B. Surwade, Director (Fy. Stats) DoF, New Delhi
14. Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
15. Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata
16. Dr. Manash Choudhury, Joint Adviser, NITI Aayog, New Delhi
17. Shri B. K. Mishra, Managing Director, FISHCOPFED, New Delhi
18. Dr. R. S. Biradar, Joint Director (Retd.), ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
19. Dr. B.C. Jha, Principal Scientist (Retd.), ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata

The NIFAP Drafting Sub-Committee

1. Dr. Dilip Kumar, Former Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
2. Dr. A. G. Ponniah, Former Director, ICAR- CIBA, Chennai
3. Dr. R. S. Biradar, Former Joint Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
4. Dr. B. C. Jha, Principal Scientist (Retd.), ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, Kolkata
5. Dr. P. K. Katiha, Principal Scientist, ICAR- Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi
6. Dr. Salim Sultan, Senior Consultant (Fisheries), NFDB / DoF, New Delhi

ICAR-CIFE Policy Research & Support Group

1. Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
2. DoF Dr. Shashi Bhushan, Scientist, FRHPHM Division, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
3. Ms. Rathi B., Scientist, AAHM Division, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
4. Ms. Neha Qureshi, Scientist, FEES Division, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai
 Draft NIFAP February2019

CONTENTS

1. Section I: Preamble
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Vision
1.3. Mission
1.4. Objectives
2. Section II: Inland Fisheries
2.1. Riverine fisheries
2.2. Reservoir fisheries
2.3. Natural wetlands
2.4. Cold water fisheries
2.5. Recreational fisheries
3. Section III: Aquaculture
3.1. Aquaculture development
3.2. Seed, feed and other aquaculture inputs
3.3. Introduction and regulation of exotic species
3.4. Disease surveillance
3.5. Diversification of aquaculture
3.6. Ornamental fish culture
4. Section IV: Cross-cutting Areas and Themes
4.1. Post-Harvest, marketing and value addition
4.2. Food safety and Trade
4.3. Human resource development
4.4. Extension and support services
4.5. Institutional finance
4.6. Fishers and farmers welfare
4.7. Governance and Institutions
4.8. Fisheries cooperatives
4.9. Research and development linkage
4.10. Strengthening of inland fisheries and aquaculture database
4.11. Gender and equity
4.12. Climate change and disaster management
5. Section V: Strategy for Implementation

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1. PREAMBLE

1.1. Introduction

Fisheries and aquaculture remain important sources of food, nutrition, income, economic
prosperity and livelihoods for people around the world. Global capture and culture fish
production (2016) were 90.90 and 80.00 million tonnes respectively with India being second
largest producer of fish in the world. From 0.75 million tonnes in 1950-51, total fish
production of India touched 12.61 million tonnes in 2017-18 with a contribution of 8.92
million tonnes (about 71%) from inland sector. This sunrise sector contributes about 1% to
National Gross Value Added (GVA) and 5.43% to Agricultural GVA (2015-16) while engaging
over 14.5 million people at the primary level and almost twice the number along the value
chain. During 2017-18 the export of fisheries products reached over 1.37 million tonnes
valued at INR 451070 million (US$ 7.08 billion). The inland sector grew at a Compounded
Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of nearly 6% between 1979 and 2015, while overall fish
production has registered an average annual growth rate of more than 7% in recent years.

Although inland fisheries and aquaculture have grown in absolute terms, the development
in terms of its potential is yet to be realized. The unutilized and underutilized vast and varied
resources, in the form of 191,024 km of rivers and canals, 1.2 million hectare of floodplain
lakes, 2.36 million hectare of ponds and tanks, 3.54 million hectare of reservoirs and 1.24
million hectare of brackish water resources offer great opportunities for livelihood
development and ushering economic prosperity. As the sector is extremely diverse and
dynamic, there is a need to streamline policies and programmes, infuse public and private
investments, and take R&D benefits to the farmers and fishers towards optimal resource
utilization and development of the sector as an instrument of growth. It is essential to
evolve an integrated and comprehensive approach towards sustainable development of
inland fisheries and Aquaculture that caters to the needs of the states/UTs and the priorities
of the country as a whole. Issues related to inland capture fisheries and Aquaculture are
trans-boundary in nature that needs to be addressed in a concerted manner. Considering
such aspects, the National Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (NIFAP) has been
envisaged.

The overall objective of NIFAP is to create an enabling environment for sustainable

development of inland fisheries and aquaculture in the country, to ensure food and
nutritional security, gainful employment and livelihoods, economic prosperity and ecological
health. The scope of NIFAP encompasses development and management of all inland fishery
resources including aquaculture in freshwater, brackish water and landlocked saline/alkaline
areas. The NIFAP adopts an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) management within the
overall framework of relevant national and international instruments and policies.

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1.2 Vision

“Ecologically healthy, economically viable and socially inclusive inland fisheries and
aquaculture that generates gainful employment and economic prosperity”

1.3 Mission

“Inland fisheries and aquaculture resources are developed, managed, conserved

and sustainably utilized for improving livelihoods, generating gainful employment, food
and nutrition security, economic prosperity and wellbeing through appropriate strategies
and legislations, stakeholders’ participation, public-private and community partnership,
market support, and strengthening research, extension and their linkages”

1.4 Objectives

1. To optimally utilize and sustainably harness inland fisheries and aquaculture

resources and their effective management.

2. To increase fish production and productivity and enhance incomes of fishers and
fish farmers towards improving their living standards and ushering economic
prosperity.

3. To create additional gainful employment opportunities through marketing, trade

and export of globally competitive fish and value added fish products.

4. To ensure food and nutritional security by increasing the per capita availability of
quality fish.

5. To conserve and manage native fish genetic stocks and associated habitats of
fisheries resources and ecosystem services.

2. INLAND FISHERIES

2.1 Riverine Fisheries

1. Conservation of indigenous fisheries resources and restoration of natural

productivity through ecosystem restoration would be the primary focus of
riverine fisheries.

2. States/UTs may carry out habitat conservation measures for protection and
rehabilitation of native fish stocks in association with concerned agencies.

3. Production of native species in the rivers will be enhanced through seed ranching
of native stock by developing dedicated seed production units in the vicinity.

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4. Fisheries management has to be integral to river management. Active
participation of fisheries governance in the management of riverine systems has
to be ensured.

5. Fishing regulations encompassing closed season, mesh size, wanton killing of

juveniles, destructive fishing, etc. needs to be updated followed by effective
implementation by States/UTs.

2.2 Reservoir Fisheries

1. The management of fisheries in all manmade reservoirs needs to be transferred

to the State Fisheries Department(s)/Agencies who in turn will bring such open
water bodies under scientific fisheries enhancement programmes and efficient
governance framework.

2. Measures have to be taken for promotion of cage culture in reservoirs based on

recommendations of scientific organizations like ICAR Institutes, Universities,
etc. and the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.

3. Primary focus has to be on production optimization through culture based

fisheries in small and medium reservoirs. Site-specific Action Plan for each
reservoir has to be worked out by respective Departments of Fisheries.

4. For stocking of reservoirs with required fingerlings, adequate fingerling

production units needs to be established at suitable locations in the vicinity of
the reservoirs. An integrated approach in developing post-harvest and
marketing facilities and mobilizing of inputs is required to be adopted for large
reservoirs.

5. Issues related to the fishing in reservoirs within the jurisdiction of areas

declared as sanctuaries/reserves by Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change needs to be resolved by the State/UTs through consultation to
balance ecological, food and fishers livelihood needs and ensure optimum
utilization of resources.

2.3 Natural Wetlands

1. Towards promotion of sustainable fisheries in natural wetlands

a) The ecological integrity of important natural wetlands has to be

conserved and restored.

b) The States/UTs have to demarcate public water bodies, prevent

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encroachments and regulate their use.

c) The connectivity between natural wetlands (i.e. ox-bow lakes, beels, etc.)
and rivers has to maintained or restored to ensure ecological integrity of
these water bodies.

2. Each State/UT has to formulate guidelines adopting scientific approach for

promotion of culture based fisheries in identified floodplain wetlands.

3. To ensure availability of stocking materials, facilities for hatcheries and seed

rearing need to be developed in the vicinity of potential areas following
scientific practices.

2.4 Coldwater fisheries

1. Policies and legislation along with development and conservation
programmes need to be in place for developing fisheries in Himalayan and
North Eastern States.

2. Awareness for conservation of hill stream fishes and protection of endemic

germplasm has to be created among the masses.

3. Availability of adequate broodstock of cultivable species has to be ensured

along with strengthening of seed production infrastructure.

4. International support/cooperation may be sought for acquiring improved

germplasm, disease management and farming practices.

2.5 Recreational Fisheries

Appropriate sustainable models of recreational fisheries and ecotourism
enterprises need to be developed and promoted by the States/UTs in association
with local communities and the private sector within the existing regulatory
framework and guidelines.

3. AQUACULTURE

3.1 Aquaculture Development

1. States/UTs have to develop Action Plans for introduction and expansion of

shrimp/prawn farming in inland saline/alkaline and freshwater areas as per
the recommendations of scientific organizations like ICAR Institutes,
Universities, etc. and the Department of Fisheries, Government of India with
due consideration to sustainability and ecosystem health. States/UTs are
encouraged to prepare Integrated Coastal Aquaculture Development Plan for
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each of the coastal blocks and districts.

2. Aquaculture zoning along with area specific plans has to be formulated using
modern scientific tools for scientific and planned development of aquaculture
and its regulation.

3. Development of aquaculture may be promoted in low-lying areas, lands with

saline and alkaline soils, and lands not suitable for crop cultivation and large
land blocks of such areas may be earmarked for development as aquaculture
zones.

4. In order to utilize vast unutilized resources including government owned land

for aquaculture, the scope of land use categories at state level would require
redefinition and enlarging to specifically include fisheries and aquaculture as
integral components of agriculture.

5. It is essential to distinguish the needs and aspirations of farmers with small

aquaculture holdings from those having large holdings. Union in consultation
with States/UTs need to define, document and handhold farmers with small
aquaculture holdings through schemes and programmes. Fish Farmers
Producer Organizations (FFPOs), Common Interest Groups (CIG), Self-help
Groups (SHG), etc. need to be encouraged to cater the needs of these
farmers.

6. Mandatory registration of aquaculture farms, simplification of legal and

environmental requirements for farm registration and leasing has to be
ensured.

7. Best Management Practices (BMPs) / Good Aquaculture Practices (GAPs) are

to be promoted to minimize disease incidence and other ecological
externalities thereby ensuring sustainability. The practice of screening of seed
for causative organisms before stocking would be strictly implemented.

8. Foolproof mechanisms have to be put in place to ensure traceability of the

aquaculture produce along with requisite regulatory framework and
infrastructure.

9. Spurt in growth of cage culture in open water resources and shrimp/prawn

farming in inland saline and freshwater areas warrant a regulatory framework
for inland aquaculture by State Authorities on the lines of Coastal
Aquaculture Authority (CAA).
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10. Aquaculture development efforts will be in alignment with relevant national
and global instruments, guidelines and good practices including Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF)
Guidelines and Voluntary Guidelines on Sustainable Small Scale Fisheries (VG-
SSF).

11. In order to ensure that the fish produced from waste water aquaculture is
safe for consumption, appropriate regulatory, management and
precautionary measures need to be put in place in coordination with relevant
agencies.

12. Trout farming is the main stay of fish production in high altitude areas of the
country. Trout seed and feed production has to be promoted in suitable areas
following a cluster approach and increased private sector participation.

3.2 Seed, feed and other aquaculture inputs

1. Farmers and Private sector will be encouraged for setting up of hatcheries
and seed rearing farms across the country, especially in seed deficient areas.

2. Adequate broodbanks especially at the national and state level are to be

established to cater the requirements of hatcheries.

3. Registration and accreditation of hatcheries is to be made mandatory by

States/UTs. Use of seeds produced from certified broodstock, hatcheries and
seed production units will be encouraged.

4. Private sector will be encouraged to establish fish feed mills and use of
locally available ingredients in feed formulations.

5. Registration of all aquaculture inputs needs to be made mandatory. The

specifications of aquaculture inputs, type and quality of ingredients used
therein has to be notified, accredited and inspected for compliance.
Requisite regulatory framework and infrastructure has to be put in place.

6. The use of drugs and chemicals including antibiotics and pesticides in

aquaculture needs to be regulated through suitable mechanism.

3.3 Introduction and regulation of exotic species

Entry of any exotic species meant for aquaculture including broodstock, seed and
Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) stocks etc. needs to be regulated as per the existing
National Laws/ Rules for import, breeding and farming.

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3.4 Disease surveillance
The present disease surveillance and reporting system will be further
strengthened with inbuilt provisions to identify and contain any emerging
diseases with the involvement of States/UTs.

3.5 Diversification of aquaculture

1. Major thrust need to be given on diversification of species in both freshwater
and brackish water systems by establishing hatcheries, brood stock
multiplication centers and nuclear breeding centers.

2. R&D programs require focus on developing breeding, hatching, seed rearing

and grow-out technology for identified alternative species suitable for pond
aquaculture.

3. Thrust will be given bring in/adopt advanced technologies and practices to

enhance production and productivity.

3.6 Ornamental fish culture

Collection and trade of native ornamental fish species from natural waters
require regulation by the concerned States/UTs. The database on native
ornamental fish species need to be further strengthened. Institutional support
and efforts for breeding, rearing and promotion of trade of indigenous
ornamental fishes need to be intensified to facilitate growth in this segment.

4. CROSS-CUTTING AREAS AND THEMES

4.1 Post-harvest, marketing and value addition

1. Post harvest infrastructure will be developed meeting National and

International standards. Besides, up-gradation of existing infrastructure
facilities would be given impetus.

2. Strengthening of marketing infrastructure will be the major focus in

modernization of fish marketing and trade.

3. Thrust will be on product diversification and value addition to meet National

and International standards. Production of high value products from
processing wastes needs to be encouraged.

4. Measures to minimize post-harvest losses and building skills of stakeholders

have to be taken up.

5. Thrust will be on ‘sustainable user management’ of the infrastructure and

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services for long term viability and efficiency.

4.2 Food safety and Trade

1. Quality and food safety standards for domestically traded fish in conformity
with national regulatory framework need to be effectively implemented to
protect consumer interests.

2. Traceability in processed fish and fish products would be ensured for quality
assurance and food safety.

3. Efforts will be made to increase domestic consumption of fish. Fish will be

promoted as health food and consumer awareness will be created on its
nutritional value especially as a cheap source of protein.

4.3 Human resource development

1. States/ UTs to strengthen the institutions of fisheries by reinforcing technical
orientation through development of their planning, extension and technical
capabilities and assigning technical persons to lead fisheries establishments.

2. Policy seeks to strengthen training and skill development infrastructure

including e- courses in DoFs and Fisheries Colleges, and mandate regular and
compulsory capacity building of staff and faculty on technical knowhow,
societal skills and development management.

4.4 Extension and support services

1. Pluralistic forms of extension systems involving public, private; Non-
Governmental Organisations (NGOs), fisher cooperatives and farmers’
associations will be harnessed. Participatory aquaculture extension will
become the guiding principle of all extension programs.

2. Skill development training on BMPs/GAPs and recent technologies, exposure

visit for farmers, development and dissemination of farmer friendly extension
literature and effective use of Information and Communication Tools (ICT)
tools by DoF are to be given due importance.

4.5 Institutional finance

1. Benefits of institutional finance like credit, insurance, etc. provided to
agricultural farmers may be extended to fishers and fish farmers as well.

2. Union and State/UTs governments will coordinate with national and

international funding institutions to enhance flow of investment and
institutional credit to Inland fisheries and Aquaculture sector.
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3. Opportunities available under various government schemes may be utilized for
promotion of small and medium scale businesses in Inland fisheries and
Aquaculture. The sector has to be included in various government schemes
aimed at promotion of small and medium scale businesses.

4.6 Fishers and farmers welfare

Current welfare and social protection programmes may be further strengthened

to provide enhanced safety net to all categories of formal and informal inland
fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and their families in convergence with other
similar schemes.
4.7 Governance and Institutions

Inter-sectoral Coordination
1. Fisheries sector needs to be recognized as a legitimate stakeholder in
determining sharing of water use, river management, watershed management
and rural development. DoF, GoI has to be represented in the National level
Committees entrusted with the management of water resources and
allocation of water for its various uses.

2. State/UTs governments have to form state level Inter-Departmental

Coordination Committees to provide coordination support for addressing
cross-sector issues confronting the development of fisheries and aquaculture
in their respective state.

Water use and Management

1. The present National water policy, 2012 clearly recognizes the use of water for
basic human requirements as part of right to life and livelihood. Its scope
needs to be enlarged to clearly recognize the minimal right to water for
fisheries and aquaculture having non-consumptive water usage.

2. DoFs of States/UTs have to engage with Revenue Departments and other

agencies to ensure that the village ponds and tanks are productively utilized
for fisheries and aquaculture. Existing provisions contained in the guidelines of
Ministry of Rural Development concerning rejuvenation of tanks and ponds
will be fully made use of to ensure that the existing tanks and ponds are
rejuvenated and additional resources created.

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Management of inland water bodies under multiple ownership

Leasing and management rights of all water bodies would be transferred and
vested with State/UT Fisheries Departments, while respective agencies may
continue to retain trusteeship / custodial rights of those resources.

Leasing of public water bodies for aquaculture

States will be encouraged to develop comprehensive leasing and licensing

guidelines for all public water bodies by balancing competing objectives of
resource development, livelihoods, welfare and revenue generation etc., with due
priority to local fishing communities and their cooperatives, fisheries professionals
/trained entrepreneurs. The guidelines will also suggest a minimum lease period in
the range of 7-10 years with periodic review and the minimum lease value be
determined on scientific principles, equity and long term sustainable resource
utilization.

4.8 Fisheries cooperatives

Fisheries cooperatives require to be strengthened by making them business

entities by taking up various activities with good governance, transparency and
accountability in their functioning.

4.9 Research and development linkage

In order to benefit from R&D in fisheries sector, involvement of user groups
namely State DoFs, farmers/fishers and their organizations and industry in
prioritizing research agenda of ICAR Fisheries institutes, Universities, etc. has to be
enhanced.

4.10 Strengthening of inland fisheries and aquaculture database

Census at regular intervals covering inland fisheries and aquaculture needs to be

undertaken to obtain comprehensive picture of production including resource
usage and users through appropriate mechanisms.

4.11 Gender and equity

Gender mainstreaming as well as equity needs to be made integral part across the
value chain. Empowerment of women and strengthening their organization and
leadership capabilities will receive adequate attention.

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4.12 Climate change and disaster management

While disaster risk reduction is a national priority and within the domain of the
National and State Disaster Management Authorities, fisheries and aquaculture
specific sub- plans are to be integrated in state disaster management plans in a
collaborative cross- sectoral mode.

5. STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

1. The NIFAP serves as an overarching policy framework which will provide

guidance to states/UTs in developing state specific policies and legislations. The
NIFAP has both regulatory and developmental features which can be
implemented through short, medium and long term plans.

2. The NIFAP is envisaged as an evolving instrument that is open to review from

time to time based on the needs and feedback of stakeholders. It will be
periodically reviewed and revised as and when required in consultation with
stakeholders through an institutional mechanism.

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