Exploring High-Value Indigenous Small Fishes for Conservation and Enhancing Livelihood

Aquaculture in India has primarily focused on carp culture, both indigenous and exotic species, constituting 90% of total aquaculture production. However, this emphasis on carp culture has overshadowed the significance of indigenous small fishes (ISFs), which are essential to local communities across the country. The ISFs, native to various aquatic ecosystems, play a vital role in providing essential micronutrients and macronutrients, contributing to food security and nutrition, particularly in rural areas. Despite their nutritional value and local importance, ISFs have been largely neglected, leading to their declining status due to pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, and the introduction of exotic species. Conservation and sustainable management efforts are urgently needed to ensure the survival of these invaluable fish species. Devising conservation measures needs to be prioritized for the conservation and sustainable utilization of the valuable ISFs in the natural water bodies. ISFs possess the potential for culturing and integrating them with conventional carp culture practices to enhance economic benefits and nutritional value. More emphasis needs to be provided on these practices including cage culture for the promotion of ISFs culture for livelihood development. Despite few studies being conducted on the effect of the climate change aspects, more emphasis needs to be provided for climate change-related research for ISFs to mitigate the changing climatic conditions. Community involvement is essential in conserving and protecting ISFs, which could be done through organizing awareness and capacity-building programs. In summary, this chapter underscores the critical role of ISFs in enhancing food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in India. It calls for concerted efforts to conserve, cultivate, and raise awareness about these indigenous small fishes to ensure their sustainable utilization and the well-being of local communities.