New Delhi, Mar 13: In a landmark initiative, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, is set to organize the first-ever National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, on March 14, 2026. The event will be held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) and aims to chart a strategic course for the sustainable growth of India’s cold water fisheries sector.
The conference is being held under the guidance of Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD), and Panchayati Raj. The event will witness the presence of distinguished dignitaries including Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir; Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir; Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, MoS, MoFAHD; George Kurian, MoS, MoFAHD; and Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister of Agriculture Production, Jammu & Kashmir.
This pioneering national dialogue aims to explore opportunities for harnessing the vast potential of India’s cold water fisheries, which are primarily located in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, Northeast, and select peninsular zones. Covering over 5.33 lakh square kilometers of mountainous terrain, these ecosystems are home to more than 278 identified cold water fish species, offering immense prospects for livelihood generation, biodiversity conservation, scientific aquaculture, and nutritional security.
India’s cold water fisheries sector has gained significant momentum under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with a dedicated investment of ₹2,299.56 crore. This funding aims to modernize infrastructure, expand hatcheries, improve seed and feed systems, develop raceway facilities, and strengthen cold chain logistics—laying the foundation for a modern, technology-driven aquaculture ecosystem in these regions.
During the conference, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh will unveil the “Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold Water Fisheries,” distribute scheme benefits to traditional and progressive fishers, cooperatives, and Kisan Credit Card beneficiaries under PMMSY, and present awards to the best Fishery Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and innovative fisheries start-ups from Jammu & Kashmir.
A series of technical sessions will focus on research, innovation, technology adoption, infrastructure expansion, institutional convergence, and entrepreneurship development—aimed at fostering collaborative growth across states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala.
India’s premium cold water species such as Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Mahseer have demonstrated high growth potential, with trout production increasing nearly 1.8 times over the past decade. However, the country still relies on imports for Salmon and other high-value species, highlighting the need to boost domestic capacity. The government’s National Vision for Cold Water Fisheries 2030 aspires to double the production of trout and Mahseer, creating new livelihoods and strengthening the sector’s contribution to the economy.
This conference marks a significant step toward unlocking the full potential of India’s cold water fisheries, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring nutritional security for remote and mountainous communities through strategic partnerships, innovative research, and policy reforms.
