CHENNAI, 9 December 2025: As marine capture fisheries plateau across Asia, countries are witnessing a significant shift towards aquaculture, according to preliminary findings released by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO). The study indicates robust growth in farmed fish production across the region, with Asia now accounting for more than 70% of global fish output.
India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing aquaculture producers, with inland fish production rising 167% over the past decade—from 1.5 million tonnes in 2014 to nearly 4 million tonnes in 2023. The findings were presented on Tuesday at the opening session of a three-day regional workshop in Chennai, jointly organised by the FAO and BOBP-IGO, to strengthen sustainable aquatic food value chains for improved nutrition and food security.
Presenting the study to senior policymakers and experts from 12 Asian nations, BOBP Director Dr. P. Krishnan said India is “a leading driver of Asia’s shift from wild-caught to farmed fish”. Aquaculture’s share in India’s fisheries employment has increased sharply—from 17% in 1995 to around 40% by 2020—reflecting the sector’s growing economic footprint.
The report underscores the widening strain on marine resources across the region. China’s marine landings have declined by 15–20% since 2015, while Sri Lanka and Malaysia have also reported multi-year downturns. Growing pressure on wild stocks, combined with rising demand, has accelerated Asia’s pivot to aquaculture.
Despite India’s strong export performance led by frozen shrimp, the study notes that about 82% of the country’s fish production is consumed domestically, highlighting its importance for national nutrition. However, the report raises serious concerns over rising fish loss and waste (FLW). India’s marine fish losses have increased from 2.78% to over 10%, while dry fish losses have reached 37%, driven by insufficient cold-chain infrastructure, unhygienic landing centres and outdated drying practices. These losses, the study warns, reduce food availability, undermine fisher incomes and deplete nutrients vital for low-income households.
Women continue to play a central role in India’s post-harvest fisheries sector, accounting for up to 95% of the workforce involved in fish marketing, curing and peeling. Yet, much of this labour remains informal and undervalued, prompting calls for gender-responsive policies and greater recognition of their contribution.
To address the emerging challenges, the study recommends investments in decentralised cold-chain networks, insulated transport boxes, chilled seawater systems, improved landing facilities, and the scaling of modern drying and processing technologies.
Speaking at the inauguration, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Chairman D. V. Swamy said that while India’s $7.5 billion seafood export industry maintains high quality standards, the domestic supply chain continues to face “serious vulnerabilities” that pose food safety risks. FAO representatives Dr. Omar Penarubia, Angela Lentisco and Meeta Punjabi Mehta emphasised the need to strengthen aquatic food value chains as a pathway to improved nutrition, resilient livelihoods and climate adaptation across Asia.
