Cold-water fisheries emerging as a pillar of India's Blue Economy; J&K leads trout output
India's cold-water fisheries now produce around 7,000 tonnes a year, with Jammu & Kashmir the leading trout producer at about 3,010 tonnes in 2024-25, the Fisheries Ministry said on 23 May 2026.
Summary
India's cold-water fisheries sector, practised in high-altitude snow-fed waters at 5–25°C, was highlighted by the Department of Fisheries on 23 May 2026 as a growing part of the Blue Economy. National cold-water fish production is about 7,000 tonnes, and trout output has risen about 1.8 times in a decade to about 6,000 tonnes in 2024-25, while India's total fish production reached about 197.75 lakh tonnes. Jammu & Kashmir leads trout production with about 3,010 tonnes in 2024-25, supported by the Kokernag hatchery. Integrated Aqua Parks are coming up at Anantnag (J&K), Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh) and Mokokchung (Nagaland).
Key facts
- Cold-water fish output
- About 7,000 tonnes
- Trout (2024-25)
- About 6,000 tonnes (~1.8× in a decade)
- Leading trout producer
- Jammu & Kashmir, ~3,010 tonnes (2024-25); Kokernag hatchery
- India's total fish production
- ~197.75 lakh tonnes (2024-25)
- Species identified
- Over 278 cold-water fish species
- Integrated Aqua Parks
- Anantnag, Udham Singh Nagar, Ziro, Mokokchung
Practice MCQs 1 questions
As per the Fisheries Ministry (May 2026), which State/UT was India's leading trout-producing region in 2024-25?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir led with around 3,010 MT of trout in 2024-25, supported by the Kokernag hatchery.