Study on present status and future prospects of fisheries development in south Tripura: Strategic options

Fisheries sector in north eastern State, Tripura is in a transitional phase to establish the sector into an ‘income generating enterprise’ due to high demand of fish. This paper aimed at analysing present status and future prospects of fisheries in the southern district of the State with an objective to originate out some strategic options for overall development. Study found that culture fisheries practiced in small sized pond and minibarrages across the district is the mainstay of fisheries development and area under culture fisheries is 3436 ha (97.75 % of total district water resources) which contributing more than 99 per cent (35,152 MT) to the total fish production in the district during 2017-18. Compounding Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for culture fisheries resources, fish production from culture fisheries and fish productivity of culture fisheries was observed to be 2.420, 4.528 and 1.802 respectively. Projections using the linear pattern of logarithmic time series data showed that the district would able to produce 11696 MT fish with a fish productivity of 2893 kg per ha per year, while availing 118 MT fish from outside the district by 2025 indicating a deficit of 4000 MT from present (2017-18) level of fish production. Present per capita annual fish consumption is higher than the ICMR recommendations. Study also attempted to discuss multiple technical and managerial aspects which are required to be considered while formulating strategic options for fisheries development in South Tripura district.