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Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies of Climate Change Impact in Freshwater

Aquaculture in some states of India

Article · January 2018

DOI: 10.21767/1307-234X.1000142

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 12(1): 016-021 (2018)

Journal of FisheriesSciences.com
E-ISSN 1307-234X

© 2018 www.fisheriessciences.com
Research Article

Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies of Climate Change Impact in

Freshwater Aquaculture in some states of India
Adhikari S1*, Chaudhury Ajit Keshav2, Gangadhar Barlaya3, Ramesh Rathod4, Mandal RN1, Sarosh
Ikmail5, Saha GS5, De HK5, Sivaraman I5, Mahapatra AS5, Sarkar S5, Routray P5, Bindu R. Pillai5 and
Sundaray JK5
1
Regional Research Centre (RRC) of ICAR-CIFA, West Bengal, India
2
Regional Research Centre (RRC) of ICAR-CIFA, ATIC, Anand Agricultural University, India
3
Regional Research Centre (RRC) of ICAR-CIFA, Hessarghatta Lake, Bengaluru, India
4
Regional Research Centre (RRC) of ICAR-CIFA, Penamaluru Fish Seed Farm, Penamaluru, Vijayawada, India
5
ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, India
Received: 09.02.2018 / Accepted: 23.02.2018 / Published online: 25.02.2018

Abstract: We surveyed the fish farmers of five states, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal
of India for adaptation and mitigation strategies of climate change impact in freshwater aquaculture. In monsoon
period especially when the cyclone occurred, overall 9% fish farmers responded regarding fish migration from one
pond to another pond. Sometimes entire stocks washed out due to heavy floods. Overall 23% farmers responded
about water quality deterioration and contamination due to unforeseen weather conditions mostly during rainy
and summer seasons. Disease incidences during the winter seasons especially Argulus infestation was reported by
42% respondent. About 37% farmers in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha expressed that farming systems
were damaged and lost all the fishes because of extreme events like flood, cyclone etc. They also reported that
all operational cost increased every time in re-construction of ponds due to floods. The farmers tried to mitigate
some of the problems encountered due to climate change. Overall, 43% of farmers are pumping freshwater to
cool down the temperature of fish culture ponds. Some farmers applied oxygen tablets during higher summer.
When there is low rain fall, 60% farmers maintain water level by pumping in water from their bore well. While
75% farmers never experienced any disease problem, 25% reported such incidence, among them 50% apply lime
in case of appearance of disease symptoms. In case of drought, 25% of the farmers reported that they have made
early harvest, irrespective of the fish growth, others never stock the ponds. In case of flood, 48% of farmers used
to prevent fish escape by using mesh like structures in pond bunds to prevent fish escape, while 16% pump out
water using their pumps.
Keywords: Adaptation; Mitigation; Climate Change; Aquaculture

Correspondence to:
*
Adhikari S, Regional Research Centre (RRC) of ICAR-CIFA, West Bengal, India, Tel: 033 – 25683023;
E-mail: [email protected]

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Journal abbreviation: J FisheriesSciences.com

Introduction Bellari and Bangalore of Karnataka in this study.

Aquaculture is shaping up into a global venture and it is Gujarat ranked first in marine fish production but rank 15th
considered as the fastest growing food producing sector in in inland fish production during year 2013-14. The freshwater
the world to feed the ever-growing population. Freshwater aquaculture activities in Gujarat mostly carried out in village ponds
aquaculture is the principal component for catering the increasing (6860 nos. with 0.22 lakh ha.) and small reservoirs (1547 nos. with
demand for fish particularly in India. Fish is considered as a cheap 0.92 lakh ha). We conducted a survey among fifty respondents
and safe source of protein which provides essential nutrition for through random sampling procedure in three districts of Middle
3 billion people and at least 50% of animal protein and minerals Gujarat as Anand, Kheda and Vadodara.
to 400 million people from the developing and under-developed Odisha is one of the important maritime states of India having
countries in the world. Also, it gives livelihood option to about plenty of freshwater resources (6.72 lakh ha) and has got excellent
520 million people in the globe. With a total fish production of scope for freshwater aquaculture development. The freshwater
9.33 million metric tones (mmt) in 2010, India has become the aquaculture activities in Odisha mostly carried out in tanks and
third largest fish producer in the world. Of the total, about 49.72% ponds (1.21 lakh ha) with production level of 2.31 lakh MT. We
(4.64 mmt) is contributed by freshwater aquaculture and India conducted a survey among sixty respondents through random
is second to China in freshwater aquaculture production. This sampling procedure in Puri, Cuttack, Khurdha and Keonjhargarh
much important food producing sector is really in the threat of districts of Odisha.
global warming and climate change. Climate change is a change
West Bengal is one of the maritime states in the Country
in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time
bestowed with immense freshwater fisheries resources (Pond/
that range from decades to millions of years. It is now widely
tanks: 2.88 lakh ha, Beel & Boar: 0.42 lakh ha, Reservoirs: 0.28
accepted that climate change is no longer simply a potential lakh ha, Canal: 0.80 lakh ha and Sewage fed fishery; 0.04 lakh ha)
threat, it is unavoidable; a consequence of 200 years of excessive spread over the State considered to provide the massive scope for
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel combustion development of aquaculture. West Bengal is the pioneer and leader
in energy generation, transport and industry, deforestation and in production of fish seed in India. It contributes approximately
intensive agriculture is realized. Climate change is an additional 37-40% of the total seed production in the country. During 2015-
pressure on the freshwater aquaculture and the impacts of climate 16, 17521 million fish seed have been produced. During 2015-16,
change on freshwater aquaculture are more complex than those the state has produced 16.71 lakh ton fish of which 14.93 lakh
on terrestrial agriculture because it holds poikilothermic animals, ton (21-23% country) was from Inland. We conducted a survey
which is highly sensitive to various kind of biotic and abiotic among fifty respondents through random sampling procedure
stress that directly affect the growth, reproduction, physiology in Purba Midnapur, south and north 24 Paraganas. Overall, 260
and behavior of fishes. Climate changes affect the aquaculture respondents in the five states of India were interviewed in this
directly by influencing fish stocks or indirectly alter the primary study and the surveyed respondents selected through random
and secondary productivity, structure, and composition of the procedure.
ecosystems, or by influencing fish prices or the cost of fish meal,
fish oil and other goods and services required by fishers and fish Results and Discussion
farmers. In the present study, we conducted survey among fish Almost 60 to 90 percent of the farmers perceive about the
farmers in different states of India about their views on adaptation increased water temperature in summer months in the fish pond
and mitigation strategies for climate change impact in freshwater (Table 1). They have perceived about decreased cool days/
aquaculture. increased hot days. The 90 percent respondent in Andhra Pradesh
and West Bengal are in the opinion that temperature increased to
Materials and Methods beyond optimum levels in the fish pond in summer months which
A study about fish farmers’ perceptions of possible impact of causes high mortality due to stratification. About 14 to 35% of the
climate change on freshwater aquaculture was done through some farmers responded that water availability reduce during culture
structured questionnaire and personal interview. For, adaptation period particularly in summer month. They perceive that pond
and mitigation strategies, we have surveyed the fish farmers of productivity decreases because of decreased water availability.
some states, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha and The water scarcity is due to less rainfall in these areas. The
West Bengal in India. farmers in Gujarat responded that insufficient water availability
The fish production in Andhra Pradesh was 19.64 lakh tones in the village ponds those are not connected to village drainage
(2015-16) and the state holds 1st rank in aquaculture production. or canal. In Andhra Pradesh, the farmers responded that most of
We conducted a survey among fifty respondents through random the hatcheries are closed in Krishna delta due to lack of water
sampling procedure in the Krishna Godavari Delta of Krishna, availability and is shifted to Godavari basins.
Guntur and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka As freshwater availability is crucial for securing a sustainable,
has 5.93 lakh ha inland water resources. The state stands in 8th lower carbon future, there is a critical connection between water
position with respect to inland fish production in the country with management and climate policies. Under a rapidly changing
1.69 lakh MT (2015-16). Fifty respondents were interviewed in climate, it is more important than ever to estimate the degree of

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 Journal of FisheriesSciences.com Adhikari et al., 12(1): 016-021 (2018)

Journal abbreviation: J FisheriesSciences.com

Table 1: Farmers perception for possible impact of climate change on freshwater aquaculture.
States (respond %)
Andhra West Odisha
Gujarat Karnataka Overall
Possible Impacts Pradesh Bengal (N=60)
(N=50) (N=50) (N=260)
(N=50) (N=50)
Increased water temperature in summer months 90 90 70 70 60 66
Reduced water availability during culture period 14 30 25 35 20 25
Water quality deterioration 30 25 14 25 20 23
Migration of fish from one pond to other ponds during flood 10 10 8 ----- ---- 9
Increased disease outbreaks 43 46 16 46 60 42
Reduced survival due to heat stress 10 10 5 15 20 12
Damage to farming system and loss of crops due to extreme
46 43 23 --- --- 37
events like flood, cyclone etc
More disease incidence (Prevalence) 40 40 15 15 25 27
Loss of farm soil productivity ---- ----- ------ ---- 27 ---

future water security. This is a challenging task as it depends on months. They also experienced mortality of IMC because of low
many different variables: the degree of warming and its consequent dissolved oxygen problem during the rainfall at hot summer days.
effects on hydrological resources, the water demand by different About 8 to 10% of farmers reported about the migration of fish
sectors, and the possible ameliorations or deteriorations of the from one pond to other ponds during cyclone or heavy floods. This
effects due to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. mitigation mainly happens in the ponds having no bundh or fence
Koutroulis et al. (2018) reported about a simple and transparent with net or directly connected with canal or with low lying areas
conceptual framework to assess the European vulnerability like rice field. However, Karnataka and Gujarat farmers have not
to freshwater stress under the present hydro-climatic and reported this incidence of fish migration.
socioeconomic conditions, in comparison to projections of future
vulnerability for different degrees of global warming (1.5°C, Almost 23 to 46% farmers responded that high temperature
2°C and 4°C), under the high-rate warming scenario (RCP8.5). and heavy cyclone like HUD HUD (Particularly in Andhra
According to these authors different levels of adaptation to climate Pradesh and Odisha) damaged most of the ponds and lost all the
change were considered in the framework, by employing various fishes due to mortality. All operational cost increased every time
relevant pathways of socioeconomic development. in re-construction of ponds due to floods. However, such incidents
have not been reported by the farmers of Gujarat and Karnataka.
Most of the fry production of Nile tilapia is done in the wet
season in northern Thailand, as cold spells and drought conditions About 15 to 40% farmers perceived that higher disease
disrupt hatchery production and reduce fish farm demand in the incidence occurred during the winter seasons. The farmers
dry season because of climate change (Uppanunchai et al., 2015). experienced the incidence of Argulus infestation, particularly for
In the wet season, some hatcheries are also impacted by floods IMC’s, almost throughout the year. Most of the cases, farmers
and for this; a couple of strategies was suggested by these authors apply lime in case of appearance of disease symptoms.
that should help make hatchery operations more climate change About 27% of the farmers feel that soil salinity development in
resilient. their farm in Bellari district of Karnataka. This incidence is due to
Climate change is expected to amplify existing threats within reduced rainfall, which in turn, is due to climate change. However,
catchments, alongside causing novel shifts in the hydrological, farmers of other states have not experienced this. Attaher et al.
thermal and biotic components of freshwater ecosystems. The (2009) concluded that sea level rise, soil and water degradation,
ability of species and communities to adapt to climate change, undiversified crop-pattern, yield reduction, pests and disease
together with the availability of in-stream refugia and options for severity, and irrigation and drainage management were the main
species to move across natural and artificial barriers, will become key factors that increased vulnerability of the agriculture sector in
increasingly important as time progresses (Markovic et al., 2017). Nile Delta.
Almost 20-30% of the farmer’s respondent about water quality The farmers tried to mitigate some of the problems of climate
deterioration, mainly due to unforeseen weather conditions mostly change in aquaculture practices. 60 to 100% of farmers pump
during rainy and summer seasons. Farmers felt that poor water freshwater to cool down the temperature of fish culture ponds
quality was due to no drying of ponds which is due to non- (Table 2). Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal farmers use this
availability of enough water to refill the ponds from the canal once practice. In these states, farmers exchange water to maintain the
it is emptied, which, in turn, is due to less rain fall.
good water quality. This helps to cool down the temperature. The
About 5 to 20% of the farmers responded about the IMC farmers of Andhra Pradesh also planted coconut trees along the
mortality because of higher temperature and humidity in summer bunds of fish ponds to avoid heat in summer months.

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Journal abbreviation: J FisheriesSciences.com

Table 2: Farmers perception for mitigation practices to counteract climate change impact in freshwater aquaculture of some states in
India.
States (respond %)
Andhra W e s t
Odisha Gujarat Karnataka Overall
Pradesh Bengal
Mitigation Practices (N=260)
(N=60) (N=50) (N=50)
(N=50) (N=50)
23
Freshwater pumping to cool down the temperature of
70 84 15 30 44
the ponds
Use of oxygen tablets 46 43 35 40 15 36
Under low rainfall use of bore well water 80 70 60 43 46 60
Early harvesting because of drought --- 20 40 ----- 15 25
Use of mesh like structures in pond bunds to prevent fish
53 80 42 40 23 48
escape in case of flood
Pumping out water using pumps in case of flood 4 6 8 5 7 6
In early drying of ponds, stocking of advanced fingerlings
80 70 50 15 15 46
for faster growth
The ponds used for seed rearing during monsoon are
---- ----- ------ ---- 15 ----
used for fodder during summer
Use of different fish species other than Indian major
---- ----- ------ ---- 15 ---
carps

In summer season, the oxygen deficiency problem occurs IMCs. The benefits of Pangassius culture as said by the farmers is
particularly in the mid-noon. To increase the DO content of the that it requires water only for six months compared to 1 year for
water, 15 to 46% farmers use oxygen tablet in the pond. When carps and also it can be grown with 1-2 feet of water compared
there is low rainfall, 43 to 80% farmers maintain water level by to carps which requires 3-4 feet of water depth in addition to the
pumping in water from their bore well or canal. higher production of Pangassius compared to carps per hectare.
In case of drought, 15 to 40% of the farmers responded that However, the culture of Pangassius is now widely being practiced
they have made early harvest, irrespective of the fish growth. in Andhra Pradesh particularly because of higher production. Few
However, in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat farmers did not report farmers have started culturing of Litopenaeus vannamei in their
about early harvesting of fish. 15 to 80% farmers have reported ponds as they are experiencing the development of salinity in soil
to stocking advance fingerlings for faster growth in early drying due to scarcity of rain.
ponds. In fact, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh farmers stocks Paerl (2016) suggested that cyanobacteria’s long evolutionary
advance fingerlings for getting faster growth. 15% farmers in history has enabled them to adapt to geochemical and climatic
Bellary district, Karnataka have reported to cultivation of fodder changes, and more recent human and climatic modifications
grass (which requires less irrigation) for their livestock during of aquatic ecosystems, including nutrient over-enrichment,
non-availability of sufficient amount of water for aquaculture. The hydrologic modifications, and global warming. Harmful (toxic,
ponds used for seed rearing during monsoon are used for fodder hypoxia-generating, food web altering) cyanobacterial bloom
during summer. (CyanoHAB) genera are controlled by the synergistic effects of
In case of flood, 23 to 80% of farmers used to prevent fish nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) supplies, light, temperature,
escape either by using netting arrangement at inlet and outlet of water residence/flushing times, and biotic interactions.
the pond or by using mesh like structures in pond bunds to prevent Accordingly, mitigation strategies are focused on manipulating
fish escape. 4 to 8% of farmers pump out excess flood water using these dynamic factors. Strategies based on physical, chemical
pumps. In case of small ponds, farmers do this practice to remove (algaecide) and biological manipulations can be effective in
excess water as the ponds do not have any outlet to remove the reducing CyanoHABs. However, these strategies should invariably
water. be accompanied by nutrient (both nitrogen and phosphorus in
most cases) input reductions to ensure long-term success and
Almost 15% farmers have started culture of different fish sustainability. While the applicability and feasibility of various
species to combat climate change effect particularly in Karnataka controls and management approaches is focused on freshwater
as the farmers are experiencing mortality of carps due to DO ecosystems, they will also be applicable to estuarine and coastal
problem during rainfall at higher temperature and humid days, ecosystems. In order to ensure long-term control of CyanoHABs,
they are opting for poly culture of Pangassius and pacu (major these strategies should be adaptive to climatic variability and
component) with small portion of carps, since these species are change, because nutrient-CyanoHAB thresholds will likely be
not so sensitive to high temperature and low dissolved oxygen like altered in a climatically more-extreme world (Paerl, 2016).

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Table 3: Adaptive capacity to face climate change.

Andhra West Odisha
Gujarat Karnataka Overall
Pradesh Bengal (N=60)
(N=50) (N=50) (N=260)
Issues (N=50) (N=50)
Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Support through Insurance schemes -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Institutional support in adaptation planning 20 20 20 15 15 18
Existence of risk communication network 90 90 78 70 70 80
Farmers’ association role in increasing the
10 10 5 8 8 8
resilience

None of the farmers has the insurance for their farm; it is heavily used. Aquaculture should use genetically improved and
noticed that few are not aware of this. For adaptive capacity, 15 to robust organisms not suffering from inbreeding depression. This
20% farmers are obtained institutional support, mainly from the will require using fish from well-managed selective breeding
different training and awareness programs of the ICAR- CIFA, programs with proper inbreeding control and breeding goals (Sae-
different Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state fisheries
Lim et al., 2017).
department (Table 3). Never the less, 70 to 90% farmers get the
risk-oriented information through a communication network. Creating opportunities for the aquatic acidification, community
However, only 8-10 percent farmers are involved in the farmers’ and the aquaculture industry to work together should help to speed
association regarding the climate resilience aquaculture. Medany up the adaptation process and enable the aquaculture industry to
et al. (2007) concluded that designing adaptation strategy for
rapidly adapt by using better-informed decisions to; a) optimize the
agriculture sector should consider the simple and low cost
water chemistry conditions within intensive aquaculture to suit the
adaptation measures, which may be inspired from traditional
knowledge, and meet local conditions and compatible with species, and/or b) select traits within the species to suit intensive
sustainable development requirements. aquaculture conditions. This will help address the environmental,
economic and social impacts of this developing sector towards a
According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
sustainable intensification of production, enhancing food security
(IPCC) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), climate
change may result in global warming, sea level rise, changes and its resilience to climate change. Equally, this cross-discipline
of ocean productivity, freshwater shortage, and more frequent interaction should also improve our capability to predict and
extreme climate events. Consequently, climate change may mitigate the consequences of the changing chemistry for natural
affect aquaculture to various extents depending on climatic ecosystems in a future “high” CO2 world (Ellis et al., 2017).
zones, geographical areas, rearing systems, and species farmed.
There are two major challenges for aquaculture caused by Conclusion
climate change. First, the current fish, adapted to the prevailing From the above discussion, it is clear that climate change has
environmental conditions, may be suboptimal under future a strong impact on aquaculture. Different strategies are being used
conditions. Fish species are often poikilothermic and, therefore, by the fish farmers and by doing so, they are getting benefit. The
may be particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. This strategies are location specific. Among the three main problems,
will make low sensitivity to temperature more important for fish
viz., drought, flood and temperature rising, drought is very much
than for livestock and other terrestrial species. Second, climate
dangerous as without sufficient rainfall, the culture of freshwater
change may facilitate outbreaks of existing and new pathogens or
aquaculture practices will be difficult. In this regard, more research
parasites. To cope with the challenges above, three major adaptive
strategies are identified. First, general ‘robustness’ will become is required by which ‘per drop more crops’ can be achieved.
a key trait in aquaculture, whereby fish will be less vulnerable Acknowledgement
to current and new diseases while at the same time thriving in
a wider range of temperatures. Second, aquaculture activities, The funding of NICRA (National Innovation on Climate
such as input power, transport, and feed production contribute to Resilient Agriculture) for conducting of the present investigation
greenhouse gas emissions. Selection for feed efficiency as well as is gratefully acknowledged. We are also highly grateful to all the
defining a breeding goal that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions farmers for their immense help during our investigation.
will reduce impacts of aquaculture on climate change. Finally, the
limited adoption of breeding programs in aquaculture is a major
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