India begins development phase of National Plan of Action for inland small-scale fisheries at Bhopal workshop; 30 million tonne fish target
On 23 October 2026 at a national workshop in Bhopal, Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi launched the development phase of India's National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries, developed under the FAO framework with BOBP-IGO, and said India targets 30 million tonnes of fish production in the next five years.
Summary
The Department of Fisheries formally launched the development phase of India's National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries on 23 October 2026 at a two-day national workshop in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The plan is being prepared under the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), with a focus on livelihoods, coordination and freshwater resource management. Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi said India has set a target of 30 million tonnes of fish production in the next five years and expects seafood exports to rise to ₹1.25 lakh crore. India's annual fish production is 19.7 million tonnes, about three-fourths of it from inland fisheries, and seafood exports have crossed ₹70,000 crore.
Key facts
- Plan
- National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries, development phase
- Launched by
- Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries
- Date / venue
- 23 October 2026, national workshop in Bhopal (MP)
- Framework
- UN FAO; with Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)
- Production target
- 30 million tonnes in next 5 years
- Current production
- 19.7 million tonnes a year (inland about three-fourths)
- Seafood exports
- Crossed ₹70,000 crore; expected to reach ₹1.25 lakh crore
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In October 2026, India launched the development phase of its National Plan of Action for small-scale inland fisheries at a national workshop in which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Bhopal
According to the Fisheries Secretary in October 2026, what fish production target has India set for the next five years?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 30 million tonnes