India moves to development phase of national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries

India has officially entered the development phase of the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for inland small-scale fisheries, under the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Led by the Union Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the plan aims to improve livelihoods, enhance resource management, and address climate resilience. During a national workshop in Bhopal, the Union Fisheries Secretary announced a target of 30 million tonnes in fish production over the next five years, alongside seafood exports expected to reach Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The initiative covers diverse freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands, and will be finalized following stakeholder consultations.