WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2017 25 and Bihar and have a current production of 400-800 kg/ha per yr, well short of a potential 2000 kg/ha per yr (Sugunan et al. 2013). Scientific management of these resources could further enhance the inland fish basket. The sustainable increase of fish production through stock enhancement, capacity building of stakeholders, reinforcing infrastructure and support services, strengthening institutional and governance instruments are the recommended policies for effective management of reservoirs and wetland fisheries (Fig. 2). Strategies for inland fisheries development include culture-based fisheries management in small and medium reservoirs, stock management in large reservoirs, and table-fish production through enclosure culture (cages and pens) in medium and large reservoirs and in selected wetlands. Culture-based Fisheries in Small Reservoirs Culture-based fisheries is an effective management tool to enhance fish yield from open waters when recruitment of desired species is less than the carrying capacity of the water body. Culturebased fisheries is based on direct stocking of fish for recruitment and recapture from open waters. Recruitment of desired fish species in most Indian reservoirs and wetlands is inadequate due to breeding failure from habitat degradation and overfishing. Surveys of the production potential and existing fish population dynamics are necessary before beginning a program. A policy of regular, sound and sustained stocking will greatly augment fisheries in such water bodies (Figs. 3 and 4). Stocking with the right combination of fish species based on trophic structure, using seed of appropriate size and introducing it at the right time based on the availability of food resources is essential to optimize fish yield from inland open-water bodies. In reservoirs, stocking large fingerlings, staggered stocking and harvesting protocols, and responsible fisheries practices would ensure enhancement of stocked and native fish stocks. The recent experience of 110 kg/ha fish production through culture-based fisheries in Gandhisagar reservoir of Madhya Pradesh Food security is now a prime concern with the trend of increasing population growth in India. The need for greater fish production to meet the challenges of food security has drawn the attention of planners and policymakers. The sector holds so much potential that the premier of the country called on practitioners of fisheries and aquaculture to usher in a ‘Blue Revolution’ through sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources of the country. In this context, fish production from inland open water bodies is a promising approach for production of highquality protein and providing livelihood options to the rural populace. India is endowed with large areas of reservoirs and wetlands with a large scope for further exploitation and fisheries enhancement. Globally, India stands second in inland fish production next to China, but there is a colossal gap in fish production between these two leading countries. Nonetheless, there has been a quantum leap in inland fish production in India over the last decade, outpacing the growth of marine capture fisheries. The current contribution of inland open-water resources is estimated to be 1.4 million t, contributing around 25 percent to total inland fish production (FAO 2014). There are 3.15 million ha of reservoirs in India (Fig. 1), indicating the magnitude of fisheries and aquaculture development potential. In addition, total reservoir area is expected to double in the next decade. Current production from reservoirs based on size is 46 kg/ha per yr (large), 105 kg/ha per yr (medium) and 190 kg/ha/ yr (small). This is substantially less than the estimated production potential of 100 kg/ha per yr, 200 kg/ha per yr and 500 kg/ha per yr, respectively. Fulfilling the gap between current and potential production will realize the meaning and scope of the Blue Revolution in India. There are also 0.5 million ha of open-water areas in foodplain wetlands. These wetlands represent a repository of invaluable biodiversity and support the livelihoods and nutritional needs of millions of people. They are spread mainly across the states of West Bengal, Assam and other northeastern states, Uttar Pradesh Toward the Blue Revolution in India: Prospects for Inland Open Waters M.A. Hassan, Mishal Puthiyottil, Gunjan Karnatak and A.P. Sharma FIGURE 1. Reservoir resources of India. FIGURE 2. Management strategy for development of inland open water fisheries. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 26)
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