§1How big it is
World's second-largest fish producer with about 8% of global output; fisheries are about 7.43% of agricultural GVA
PIB backgrounder (Dept of Fisheries): Advancing India's Fisheries Sector - Institutions, Investment, and Inclusion (6 Apr 2026)Fish production rose from 95.79 lakh tonnes (2013-14) to 197.75 lakh tonnes (2024-25), up 106%
PIB backgrounder (Dept of Fisheries): Advancing India's Fisheries Sector - Institutions, Investment, and Inclusion (6 Apr 2026)Seafood exports reached Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25; frozen shrimp is the main item, US and China the main markets
PIB backgrounder (Dept of Fisheries): Advancing India's Fisheries Sector - Institutions, Investment, and Inclusion (6 Apr 2026)Union Budget 2026-27: highest-ever Rs 2,761.80 crore for fisheries; PMMSY allocation Rs 2,500 crore
PIB backgrounder (Dept of Fisheries): Advancing India's Fisheries Sector - Institutions, Investment, and Inclusion (6 Apr 2026)2,195 Fisheries FPOs formed with Rs 544 crore; schemes since 2014-15 estimated to have created 74.66 lakh direct and indirect jobs
PIB backgrounder (Dept of Fisheries): Advancing India's Fisheries Sector - Institutions, Investment, and Inclusion (6 Apr 2026)
§2Ways to get started
- Biofloc or RAS fish farm (PMMSY subsidy)
- Cage culture in reservoirs via cooperative
- Fish seed hatchery / nursery
- Fish feed dealership or mini feed mill
- Ice plant and cold-chain van
- Fresh fish retail outlet / kiosk
§3Hubs and clusters
§4Licences and registration
- Coastal Aquaculture Authority registration for coastal farms
- State fishing licence / boat registration (marine)
- Lease of reservoir or tank from state / panchayat (inland)
- FSSAI licence for processing
- MPEDA registration (RCMC) for seafood export
- EIC approval for export processing plants
- Udyam Registration (MSME) - free, online, PAN + Aadhaar based
- GST registration (mandatory above turnover threshold or for inter-state supply)
- Shops & Establishments registration or Factory Licence (Factories Act) depending on set-up
- State Pollution Control Board Consent to Establish / Operate per CPCB 2025 Red/Orange/Green/White/Blue category (White exempt)
- IEC - Importer Exporter Code from DGFT (only if importing or exporting)
§5Regulators
- Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
- Coastal Aquaculture Authority (coastal shrimp farm registration)
- MPEDA (export registration)
- FSSAI (processed fish)
- State Fisheries Department (licences, leases of water bodies)
§6Government help
- PMMSY - Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (subsidy on ponds, RAS, biofloc, cages, cold chain, vehicles)
- PM-MKSSY - PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (formalisation, insurance, credit)
- FIDF - Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (interest subvention)
- Kisan Credit Card for fishers and fish farmers
- National Fisheries Digital Platform registration
- Cross-sector schemes: Udyam-linked MSME benefits, PMEGP, CGTMSE credit guarantee, Stand-Up India, Startup India (DPIIT recognition), RoDTEP / duty drawback and Export Promotion Mission for exporters
§7For exports
- MPEDA - Marine Products Export Development Authority
- EIC - Export Inspection Council
- SEAI - Seafood Exporters Association of India
§8Pros and cons
Merits
- Highest budget support ever and a dedicated subsidy scheme (PMMSY) [PIB Fisheries 2026]
- Inland aquaculture growth means coastline is not required
- Export market for shrimp is large [PIB Fisheries 2026]
Demerits
- Disease outbreaks can wipe out a crop
- Shrimp prices depend on US and China demand and trade measures
- Cold-chain and power costs are high
- Water-body leases and coastal rules vary by state