Bhubaneswar: Fish production in Chilika Lake declined by around 1,200 tonnes in 2024–25 compared to the previous financial year, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik informed the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to a query from Jatni MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantaray, the Minister said the brackish-water lagoon recorded a total fish production of 19,754.30 tonnes in 2024–25, down from 20,947.42 tonnes in 2023–24.
In 2023–24, fishermen harvested 14,413.12 tonnes of fish, 6,109.59 tonnes of shrimps and 424.71 tonnes of crabs from the lake. In comparison, the 2024–25 figures stood at 13,344.25 tonnes of fish, 5,970.58 tonnes of shrimps and 439.47 tonnes of crabs. While crab production registered a marginal rise, both fish and shrimp output saw a noticeable dip, contributing to the overall decline.
The Minister told the House that the state government has initiated multiple measures to enhance fish production and conserve the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem. The Chilika Development Authority has undertaken dredging at the lake mouth to improve salinity balance and water exchange. Authorities are also conducting regular water and soil testing, promoting awareness campaigns against garbage dumping, constructing jetties and implementing biodiversity conservation initiatives.
To support the fishing community, the government is extending assistance under the Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana, providing new fishing nets, boats and essential equipment to fishermen operating in the lake.
Fishing operations in Chilika continue to be regulated under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, which mandates registration of boats and annual renewal of licences. The Minister stated that the use of ‘zero net’ has been strictly prohibited and fishermen have been directed to use nets made of threads measuring 10 millimetres or above to prevent overexploitation of juvenile fish.
According to data placed before the Assembly, 34 fish landing centres have been established across the Chilika region spanning Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts. Development work is currently underway at two of these centres to enable safer anchoring of boats and ensure more efficient handling and marketing of the daily catch.
