India’s total fish exports are expected to grow from the current $3 billion to $4.7 billion by 2014.
The global fish trade is estimated at $138 billion. India’s share thus stands at five per cent with China, Norway and Thailand dominating the market.
Fish production is set to touch 11.5 million tonnes by 2014-15 from the current nine million tonnes, mostly on account of increase in inland fisheries. On the other hand, the domestic demand for fish is likely to swell from 7.5 million tonnes currently to 18.5 million tonnes.
These are some of the points highlighted by a study done by the industry body, Assocham.
With appropriate incentives coupled with robust investments in infrastructure, fish production could grow at seven per cent a year for the next four to five years from the current level of 3.5 per cent.
What is significant is that although there has been a decline in fish catches off the west coast, increase in inland fisheries, including culture fisheries, is holding up production.
Lower temperatures are forcing the fish to migrate to warmer waters, which is reducing the captured fish production. Over-fishing with increased use of mechanisation is resulting in depletion of marine resources.
However, the potential for inland fisheries is still largely untapped in northern and central India. The average annual production for a fish farmer is still abysmally low at just two tonnes against six tonnes in China, R. Sannareddy, Chairman of Assocham, Southern Regional Council, said.
In the last six year, Karnataka emerged as the State with the highest growth rate of 11.5 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh with eight per cent. West Bengal, however, continues to lead in terms of volumes, followed by Andhra Pradesh.
The study has shown that fish prices have increased by 10-15 per cent in the last two years in the metro cities, with Mumbai featuring the highest of 20 per cent.
2012, The Hindu Business Line