Trend of aquaculture growth in India as a commercial fish farming enterprise with diversification in cultivable fish species and farming practices

Abstract: India possesses huge aquatic resources and offers potential for aquacultural development. Fisheries and aquaculture in India have emerged as a commercial fish farming enterprise from a traditional household fisheries activity over the last six decades, meeting domestic demand and exporting shrimps and seafood products in the international market and earning foreign exchange. Aquaculture growth is characterized by diversification in cultivable fish species and development of different farming practices for carps, catfish and shrimps. Availability of high quality feed and seed, composite fish culture of mainly carps and introduction of exotic fish species, technological development, induced fish breeding, integrated fish farming, marketing and trade factors have led to this growth with government support