India possesses abundant and diverse aquatic resources suitable for both capture fisheries and aquaculture. Inland capture fisheries play a significant role, contributing roughly 30% of the nation’s total fish production. The extensive network of inland water bodies, including rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and brackish water areas like estuaries, lagoons, and backwaters, presents ample opportunities for economic capture fisheries.
In India, there are different places where we use resources for fishing:
- Rivers: 29,000 kilometers are used for catching fish.
- Canals and streams: 1,42,000 kilometers are used for catching fish.
- Lakes: 0.72 million hectares are used for catching fish.
- Reservoirs: 3.152 million hectares of large, medium, and small reservoirs are used for catching fish.
- Ponds and tanks: 2.85 million hectares are used for fish farming.
- Floodplain wetlands: 202,213 hectares are used for fish farming in places like beels and oxbow lakes.
- Brackish water areas: 2.7 million hectares, including estuaries, backwaters, lagoons, and mangroves, are used for fishing and fish farming.
Different water bodies like rivers, canals, streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, backwaters and lagoons are used for catching fish. Freshwater ponds, tanks, swamps, estuarine wetlands, paddy fields, small coastal lagoons and coastal pond farms are used for fish farming.
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FAQ
What are the main types of aquatic resources utilized for capture fisheries and aquaculture in India?
India’s aquatic resources for fisheries and aquaculture include rivers, canals, streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, backwaters, lagoons, ponds, tanks, wetlands, mangroves, and coastal areas.
How significant is the contribution of inland capture fisheries to India’s total fish production?
Inland capture fisheries contribute approximately 30% of India’s total fish production, highlighting their significant role in the nation’s fisheries sector.
What are the key categories and sizes of reservoirs utilized for capture-based fisheries in India?
Reservoirs in India, categorized as large, medium, and small, cover a total area of 3.152 million hectares and are utilized for capture-based fisheries, providing diverse opportunities for fishing activities.
How are floodplain wetlands utilized for fisheries in India, and what are some examples?
Floodplain wetlands, covering an area of 202,213 hectares, are utilized for culture-based fisheries, including beels and oxbow lakes, which contribute to the nation’s rich aquatic biodiversity and fish production.
Which coastal and estuarine areas contribute to India’s capture fisheries and aquaculture?
India’s brackish water areas, spanning approximately 2.7 million hectares and including estuaries, backwaters, lagoons, wetlands (bheries), and mangroves, serve as vital habitats supporting both capture fisheries and aquaculture activities
