Odisha Ranks Fourth in Fish Production and Seventh in Marine Fish

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has made impressive strides in the field of fisheries, emerging as the fourth-largest state in fish production and the seventh-largest in marine fish production in India. This revelation came during a review meeting of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department, chaired by Asit Tripathy, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, held in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

With an annual fish production of 7.62 lakh tons and a remarkable annual growth rate of 31.5%, Odisha now stands as a self-reliant producer of fish seed. Furthermore, the state is leading in the export of fish products, demonstrating its prowess in the fisheries sector. Over the past five years, Odisha has witnessed significant growth in the production, sale, and distribution of fish.

In a bid to further boost the fisheries sector, the government has approved the construction of a aquaculture farm in Sambalpur district’s Hirakud reservoir, with an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore. This facility will include fish production units, processing capabilities, and essential infrastructure. Additionally, plans are underway to promote fish farming in the brackish waters of the state’s coastal regions.