Fisheries Department Reviews National Aquatic Animal Disease Surveillance Program
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, chaired a review meeting on the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) on October 1, 2026, in New Delhi. The meeting focused on strengthening aquatic animal health, disease surveillance, and biosecurity measures to support sustainable aquaculture growth and export-led development of India's fisheries sector.
The review meeting, conducted via video conference, included participation from state fisheries departments, ICAR institutions (including ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Export Inspection Council (EIC), Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and other relevant fisheries stakeholders.
Dr. Likhi emphasized the critical role of the NSPAAD program in strengthening disease diagnostics, surveillance networks, and laboratory infrastructure to achieve export targets. He stressed the need for stronger state government engagement, improved stakeholder convergence, and wider adoption of disease reporting mechanisms to enhance disease preparedness and safeguard export competitiveness. The secretary suggested examining the transition of NSPAAD from a project-based intervention to a long-term program under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to ensure continuity and institutionalization.
Stakeholders highlighted that India's seafood exports have more than doubled over the past decade, increasing from ₹30,213 crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹73,890.46 crore in FY 2025-26, reinforcing the country's position as one of the world's leading seafood exporters. Representatives from MPEDA and EIC emphasized the need for closer convergence with NSPAAD to strengthen disease monitoring, ensure compliance with international sanitary requirements, and facilitate access to emerging export markets. EIC noted that regular disease reporting and coordinated engagement have contributed to easing export certification requirements in key markets such as the Republic of Korea.
ICAR, NFDB, CAA, and participating states underscored the need to institutionalize NSPAAD as a long-term program, strengthen state-level disease surveillance systems, and expand farmer participation through the ReportFishDisease mobile application. States shared progress in laboratory strengthening, disease diagnostics, awareness generation, and farmer outreach, while highlighting the need for greater adoption of disease reporting tools and enhanced capacity building at grassroots levels.
The NSPAAD program, operational since 2013 and expanded to pan-India coverage under PMMSY since 2022, has established a national network of aquatic animal health laboratories and strengthened diagnostic capacity for WOAH-listed and emerging pathogens. The program has conducted over 1,100 awareness programs covering nearly 48,000 fish farmers and 177 training programs for stakeholders. The multilingual ReportFishDisease mobile application has enabled timely reporting of disease incidences and rapid scientific response, facilitating the first-time detection and confirmation of 15 emerging and exotic aquatic animal diseases in India.