Roadmap for resilient and inclusive transformation of the fisheries sector in India

India’s fisheries sector has expanded rapidly under initiatives such as the Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, positioning the country as the world’s second-largest fish producer and supporting millions of livelihoods. However, growing pressures on freshwater and coastal ecosystems, coupled with climate impacts, ecological risks, infrastructure gaps, and limited community participation, threaten aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and social equity. Production-oriented growth, if poorly aligned with sustainability principles, may undermine long-term conservation and resilience. Drawing on existing evidence and policy experience, this letter highlights key concerns and policy-relevant gaps in India’s fisheries and aquaculture expansion. We emphasize the need for science-based, participatory, and adaptive management that integrates conservation objectives, climate resilience, and inclusive governance. Strengthening the role of local communities, particularly small-scale fishers and women’s groups, is essential for stewardship, compliance, and ensuring environmentally sustainable and socially equitable fisheries development.