El Nino preparedness: Fisheries drive aims to protect inland fish farms
The Department of Fisheries has launched a district-wide awareness campaign to help fishermen and fish farmers prepare for the potential impacts of El Nino on inland fisheries and aquaculture. The initiative, running from August 3 to August 7, is designed to educate stakeholders on scientific measures that can reduce losses during adverse climatic conditions.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Deputy Director (Fisheries) Pramodu Malli said the campaign began at the Krishnapuram project in Karvetinagaram mandal. Field staff explained that El Nino could bring below-normal rainfall, reduced inflows into tanks and reservoirs, falling water levels, increased evaporation, and lower dissolved oxygen concentrations. These factors can adversely affect fish growth and survival, threatening the livelihoods of those dependent on inland fisheries.
The awareness drive also focused on precautionary measures that can minimise risks and safeguard fish production during prolonged dry spells. Officials said programmes have already been organised in 13 villages across Karvetinagaram, Yadamarri, Pulicherla, Shantipuram, and Ramakuppam mandals, reaching 101 fishermen. A team of 10 officials is conducting the programme.
Malli stressed the importance of scientific management practices for sustainable aquaculture in the face of changing climatic conditions. She called on fish farmers to stock fingerlings only after assessing water availability, water quality, and dissolved oxygen levels in tanks and reservoirs. She also recommended adopting fish culture practices suited to prevailing water conditions and undertaking phased harvesting wherever water levels decline, in order to reduce fish mortality and production losses.
The Deputy Director appealed to fishermen to follow technical advisories issued by fisheries experts and to adopt forward-looking planning to protect fish stocks and sustain production. She noted that dedicated El Nino help desks have been set up across the district to provide timely technical guidance.
El Nino is a climate phenomenon characterised by warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can disrupt weather patterns worldwide. In India, it is often associated with weaker monsoon rains, leading to dry spells that affect agriculture and water-dependent sectors like inland fisheries. The department's proactive campaign is an attempt to build resilience among fishing communities and ensure that scientific knowledge reaches the grassroots level.
By equipping fishermen with practical measures, the initiative aims to reduce financial losses and maintain fish production even under challenging environmental conditions. The focus on local-level awareness and technical support reflects a broader effort to adapt to climate variability and protect rural livelihoods.
