India Ranks Second in Global Fish Production and Leads All Inland Catches

India produced 9 per cent of the world's aquatic animals in 2024, making it the second-largest producer globally after China, according to the FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report. The country led the world in inland water catches, contributing 2.2 million tonnes from rivers, lakes, and freshwater systems.

India also ranked second in aquaculture, contributing 12 per cent of global farmed aquatic animal output. Together with China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, India is part of a five-country bloc responsible for 82 per cent of all farmed aquatic animals. Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 235 million tonnes in 2024, including 195 million tonnes of aquatic animals, a 5.2 per cent rise from 2022, with aquaculture alone hitting a record 142 million tonnes.

Despite India's production dominance, the FAO report flags serious sustainability concerns. The share of marine fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels fell to 62.4 per cent in 2023, down from 64.5 per cent in 2021. While FAO attributes part of the decline to methodological revisions, real sustainability deterioration in specific regions is also a contributing factor. The report warns that ensuring sustainable and equitable growth remains a major challenge as global demand for aquatic food grows.

Global per capita aquatic animal food availability averaged 21.1 kilogrammes in 2023, with Asia recording the highest at 26.3 kg per person. Despite having the lowest per capita availability, Africa derives 19 per cent of its animal protein from aquatic sources, highlighting deep regional disparities. For India, its position as the world's leading inland fisheries producer makes freshwater ecosystem health, already under pressure from groundwater extraction and pollution, a critical food security concern.

Key figure — 2.2 million tonnes — India's inland water catch