An overview of enclosure culture in inland open-waters: Responding to socio-economic, ecological, and climate change issues in inland fisheries

Abstract

India has vast and varied inland open-waters which are important culture and capture fisheries resources of the country contributing significantly to the national economy while providing livelihood to millions of countrymen. The inland water areas especially under reservoirs (3.52 million ha), wetlands (0.42 m ha), oxbow lakes (0.12 m ha), derelict water (0.23 m ha) and brackish water (1.16 m ha) are amenable for culture-based fisheries development holding very high potential in enhancing inland fish production. Enclosures (i.e., cages and pens) installed in such open-waters are useful for rearing fingerlings as input for enhancement programmes and table fish production reflecting immense socio-economic implications for poor inland fishers. Floating cage enclosures are most suitable for waterbodies vulnerable to occasional flood. The conventional pen enclosures are installed in marginal areas of floodplain wetlands that can be suitably reinforced to protect the fish crop during flood. Self-recruiting small indigenous fishes can be introduced in pens to provide income and nutritional securities to the fishers. This article reviews enclosure aquaculture technologies in inland open-waters of India with special emphasis on Northeastern region. Socio-economic, ecological and climate-resilience of these technologies are emphasized in this communication, which may encourage higher adoption and consequent increase in fish production from the large inland open-waters of the country.