Chennai: With marine capture fisheries stagnating across Asia, countries in the region are witnessing a sharp shift towards aquaculture, according to preliminary findings of a regional study released here on Monday.

The study, undertaken by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), shows India among the fastest-growing aquaculture producers, with inland output rising 167 per cent from 1.5 million tonnes in 2014 to nearly 4 million tonnes in 2023. Asia continues to contribute more than 70 per cent of global fish production, powered increasingly by farmed fish.

The findings were presented at the inaugural session of a three-day regional workshop on strengthening sustainable aquatic food value chains, organised jointly by the FAO and BOBP-IGO. Delegations from 12 Asian nations are attending the meeting.

BOBP Director Dr P Krishnan said India is emerging as “a leading driver of Asia's shift from wild-caught to farmed fish”, noting that the share of aquaculture in fisheries employment in the country has grown from 17 per cent in 1995 to about 40 per cent in 2020.

The report points to mounting pressure on wild stocks, with China's marine landings declining 15-20 per cent since 2015 and Sri Lanka and Malaysia also reporting multi-year downturns.

Despite strong seafood exports—led by frozen shrimp—India consumes 82 per cent of its total fish output domestically, underscoring its role in national nutrition. However, the study flags rising fish loss and waste, with marine losses climbing from 2.78 per cent to over 10 per cent and dry fish losses touching 37 per cent due to poor cold-chain and handling systems.

Women account for up to 95 per cent of the post-harvest workforce, yet most of this labour remains informal, the study notes while calling for gender-responsive interventions.

During the workshop's inauguration, MPEDA Chairman D V Swamy said that while India's USD 7.5 billion seafood export industry maintains high quality standards, domestic supply chains remain vulnerable and pose food safety risks. FAO officials stressed the need for stronger aquatic food value chains to bolster nutrition, livelihoods and climate resilience across the region.