Fisheries Division

Indian fisheries sector represents an economically important and fast-growing production sector and contributing significantly to the national economy in terms of food, nutrition, socio-economic development and providing livelihood to a large section of the society. Besides, meeting the domestic demand the sector has been substantially contributing to the foreign exchange earnings through export. The sector also generates business avenues and opportunities for number of subsidiary industries. Different resource specific Fisheries Research Institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have been instrumental for glorious history of the fisheries sector in the country.

The Fisheries Science Division under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) coordinates and monitor the research and academic programmes in fisheries and aquaculture of five resource specific fisheries research institutes viz., ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA); a Deemed University, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE); a bureau, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) and a directorate, ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR) which are also supported by a wide network of their Regional/Research/ Field centres. The Fisheries Science Division has also initiated Network Projects on Mariculture, Fish Health Management, Breeding & Culture of Ornamental Fishes and Antimicrobial Resistance and is also coordinating a Consortium Research Platform (CRP) project on 'Genomics'.

The research programmes of the fisheries research institutes have been strengthened, re-structured, re-oriented and prioritized with thrust on enhancing fish production and productivity through optimum and sustainable utilization of resources with due emphasis on conservation of fish resources to realize the full production potential from the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and to address the critical research gaps. The research implementation, monitoring & evaluation mechanism has also been strengthened for bringing more accountability and transparency in the research programmes.

Vision

‘Fish for All for Ever’

Mission

Sustainable growth of Indian fisheries and aquaculture by interfacing research, education and extension resulting in a proper fit between the human needs and the habitat, with an important role in global fisheries.

Mandate

• To formulate and supervise council’s policies and work pertaining to fisheries research.
• To coordinate and stimulate operational research programmes and demonstration in different fisheries systems.
• To serve as knowledge repository and clearing house in fisheries sector.

Priority Areas

• Development and up-gradation of databases of finfishes, crustaceans, molluscs and other important aquatic organisms including their molecular aspects.
• Mapping potential fishery resources of the country using geospatial data and remote sensing for generating computer-based models on fishery management in open waters.
• Development of sustainable management models for open water fisheries resources in the context of changing resource structure and climatic conditions.
• Developing/upscaling of seed production and grow-out technologies of important species of commercial and conservation value of freshwater brackishwater and marine ecosystems.
• Species and system diversification of commercially important fish species for freshwater, brackishwater and marine aquaculture.
• Stock improvement of commercially important finfish and shellfish species  for growth, disease resistance and other traits of importance through selective breeding and marker-assisted selection.
• Breeding and rearing of ornamental finfishes and shellfishes of freshwater and marine origin.
• Development of cost-effective and nutritive diets for different life stages of diversified fish and shellfish species, including ornamental species.
• Undertaking aquatic animal disease surveillance for preparedness against disease outbreak.
• Development of diagnostics, vaccines and disease management measures for current and emerging diseases.
• Development of genomic resources for important fish and shellfish species through whole genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis.
• Water budgeting in inland aquaculture.
• Development of eco-friendly fishing craft and gear for responsible fisheries.
• Post-harvest value addition from fish and fish wastes
• Development of industrial nutraceutical products from aquatic organisms
• Reduction of harvest and post-harvest losses of fish through mitigation measures.
• Development of fish farming technology for inland saline and sodic areas.
• Human resource development through higher education and training in different aspects of fisheries and aquaculture.
• Policy advisory for addressing various issues of fisheries and aquaculture.

Milestone achievements

Video Gallery

Institutes

Results Framework Documents

Former Deputy Directors General