ITANAGAR: Fisheries Minister Gabriel D Wangsu invited investors and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture and allied sectors in Arunachal Pradesh, saying that the state’s strategic location, improving connectivity and strong policy support make it an emerging destination for investment.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day ‘Aquaex Northeast 2026’ in Guwahati (Assam) on Friday, Wangsu projected Arunachal as one of India’s most promising states for fisheries development and investment, and stressed the need for improved cold-chain logistics, branding support, organised marketing systems and export linkages to help fish farmers realise greater value from their produce.
Highlighting the state’s unique advantages, he said the state has emerged as a leading destination for cold-water fisheries, particularly trout farming.
“High-value trout aquaculture is creating new livelihood opportunities in remote and border areas while demonstrating the economic potential of niche fisheries enterprises,” Wangu said.
He said that the state’s hatchery infrastructure has expanded from nine to 16, strengthening fish seed production capacity and supporting sustainable sectoral growth.
Wangsu also outlined the state’s vision of developing a comprehensive fisheries value chain encompassing hatcheries, fish seed production, feed manufacturing, processing facilities, cold storage, transportation, value addition and export-oriented enterprises.
In addition, he highlighted opportunities in reservoir fisheries, ornamental fisheries, recreational angling, ecotourism, and integrated aqua parks.
The minister credited flagship initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Atma Nirbhar Matsya Palan Yojana for driving significant progress in the sector.
Earlier, MoS for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, SP Singh Baghel, who inaugurated the event, said that the Northeast region’s abundant water resources and favourable ecological conditions position it as a major growth centre for fisheries and aquaculture.
He said that fisheries projects worth Rs 1,776 crore have been sanctioned for Assam under the PMMSY, alongside major investments in infrastructure, cold-chain development and integrated aqua parks.
The minister also highlighted the remarkable transformation of India’s fisheries sector over the past decade. He said that India’s fish production has nearly doubled from about 95 lakh tonnes to 198 lakh tonnes, making the country the world’s second-largest fish producer and a leading force in aquaculture.
Describing fisheries as a key pillar of India’s Blue Economy, Baghel said the sector today supports the livelihoods of nearly three crore people while contributing significantly to economic growth, nutrition security and rural prosperity.
He attributed the achievement to the hard work of fish farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs and exporters, supported by proactive government policies and expanding international market access.
The event also featured a series of technical sessions focusing on aquaculture technologies, fish health management, seed production, value addition, processing, marketing, export opportunities and sustainable fisheries practices. Scientists, researchers and industry experts shared insights on emerging trends and innovations shaping the future of the sector.
The Department of Fisheries, GoAP, has set up an exhibition stall at the expo to showcase the state’s fisheries achievements, investment opportunities, trout farming success stories, and various government-supported initiatives aimed at accelerating fisheries development.
The inaugural session was attended by Assam Fisheries Minister Nilima Devi, senior government officials, scientists, researchers, industry stakeholders, and representatives from leading fisheries institutions from across the country.
Later in the day, Wangsu visited the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute’s research centre,and the horticultural research station of the Assam Agricultural University in Kahikuchi to assess the prospects of cocoa and black pepper cultivation in Arunachal. The visit focused on studying the crops’commercial viability, value-addition potential, market opportunities, and farmer profitability.
