Lok Sabha Question No. 3979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Control Aquatic Animal Diseases
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh, Shri Rajkumar Chahar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3979 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  March 2025

## Control Aquatic Animal Diseases

## 3979.Shri Godam Nagesh: Shri Rajkumar Chahar:

Will the MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  preventive  measures  are  being  implemented  to  control  aquatic  animal diseases;
- (b) (b) whether there are any upcoming policies or schemes focused on aquatic animal health and welfare, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) (c)  the  extent  to  which  Ministry  collaborating  with  research  institutions  and international bodies on this issue?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a) to (c) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has established a robust framework for early detection, reporting and control of aquatic animal diseases. Under the central sector component of  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Department of Fisheries is implementing  the  National  Surveillance  Programme  for  Aquatic  Animal  Diseases (NSPAAD) through ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow with total outlay of ₹ 33.78 crore. NSPAAD involves systematic surveillance across all the States/UTs in the country to identify disease risk, improve disease management and promote healthy aquatic ecosystem. This is a pan-India program, being implemented in collaboration with 54 partner institutions, includes ICAR fisheries research institutes, namely  ICAR-  Central  Institute  of  Fisheries  Education,  Mumbai;  ICAR-  Central Institute  of  Brackishwater  Aquaculture,  Chennai;  ICAR-Central  Inland  Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore; ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar; ICAR-Central  Marine  Fisheries  Research  Institute,  Kochi;  ICARDirectorate  of  Coldwater  Fisheries  Research,  Bhimtal;  ICAR-  Central  Institute  of Fisheries Technology, Cochin; fisheries colleges /universities and state governments. The programme supports fish farmers by generating awareness, issuing advisories and  capacity  building  campaigns.  Under  the  National  Surveillance  Programme  for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD), the Department of Fisheries has also launched an android-based mobile app known as 'Report Fish Disease'. The app provide a central platform for connecting and integrating  fish farmers, field-level officers and fish health experts seamlessly. In addition, the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) under the  Department  of  Fisheries,  Govt.  of  India  promotes  biosecurity  and  disease prevention through farm management guidelines.

To  strengthen  aquatic  health  and  disease  management  across  the  country,  the Department of Fisheries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampda Yojana (PMMSY) has developed a network of 19 disease diagnostic centre and quality testing labs, 31 mobile  centres  and  testing  labs  and  6  Aquatic  referral  labs.  Additionally,  the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India is actively engaged with World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Paris, France and Network of Aquaculture Centres in AsiaPacific (NACA), Bangkok, Thailand to improve aquatic animal health in India.

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