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

Abstract

Inland open-access fisheries of India are important resources that contribute significantly to the national economy while providing livelihood to millions. The majority of these resources are suitable for aquaculture, with a high potential for enhanced inland fish production. Enclosures (cages and pens) installed in such waters are useful for rearing fingerlings for enhancement programmes and table-fish production. Floating cages are most suitable for waterbodies vulnerable to occasional flooding, while pen enclosures installed in marginal areas of floodplain wetlands can be suitably reinforced to protect the fish during floods. Small indigenous fishes can be introduced into pens to increase their productivity. This paper reviews enclosure technologies in the inland open waters of India and discusses the socioeconomic benefits, ecological advantages, and climate resilience of these technologies. These factors may encourage their adoption and lead to an increase in fish production in the large inland waters of India.