Climate change affects fish resources in Kasaragod, experts call for boost to inland fish farming

Kasaragod: Changing climate conditions have seriously affected marine fish resources, leading to a decline in fish availability in the sea. In view of the rising demand for fish, there is growing demand in Kasaragod district to strengthen private water resources and increase inland fish farming.

Fish is one of the favourite foods of people in Kerala, and seafood lovers continue to buy fish despite rising prices.

At present, there is a shortage of marine fish in the market. Fisheries scientists and officials from the Fisheries Department have advised people to raise fish in their own water bodies to meet local demand. They have suggested adopting inland fish farming methods for this purpose.

Private-sector shrimp farming is already being carried out successfully in several parts of the district. Financial assistance is also being provided through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana by the state Fisheries Department and the Union Fisheries Ministry.

However, fish farmers say inland fisheries need more encouragement and support.

They have urged the government to expand programmes for breeding fish seedlings in public water bodies. According to fisheries officials, coastal areas with saline water are suitable for fish farming and such projects can be implemented easily.

Meanwhile, India has recorded a major increase in the export of ornamental fish during the 2025-26 financial year. Ornamental fish worth Rs 41 crore were exported from the country during the period.

Around 700 species of native freshwater fish are part of the ornamental fish trade.

Indian ornamental fish breeding centres are mainly concentrated in the northeastern states. Fisheries breeding clusters are also functioning in areas including Madurai in Tamil Nadu with approval from the Fisheries Department, according to officials from the Union Fisheries Ministry.

The Centre aims to strengthen the ornamental fish market sector over the next 10 years.

Local bodies in the district have also been asked to allocate funds in annual plans for inland fish farming projects. Officials said planning and implementation should be carried out during the monsoon months of July and August.