<b>Fisheries and Aquaculture in Northeast India: A Comprehensive Review of Status, Issues, and Sustainable Development Opportunities</b>

Northeast India is a landlocked region surrounded by the Himalayan Mountain range in the north, the plain of Bangladesh to the south, the Burmese hills in the east, and the hills and the mountain in the west. The region exhibits considerable topographical diversity, encompassing the plains of the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems, the Imphal valley, and adjacent highlands. This heterogeneity in geography has played a significant role in shaping the region’s rich aquatic biodiversity, establishing it as one of the global hotspots for freshwater fish diversity. The Northeastern region of India is home to over 45% of the freshwater fish species reported in the country. Despite these vast fisheries resources, the region remains deficient in fish production, contributing merely 4.5% to the national inland fish production and the pond productivity at about half of the national productivity. About 97% of the population in the region are fish eaters and a per capita fish consumption of about 10.9 kg. The demand for quality, fresh, and locally sourced fish is escalating driven by population growth, urbanization, dietary shifts, and health awareness underscoring the immense potential for fisheries and aquaculture development. The region can meet its requirements and address the production gap by harnessing these resources sustainably and adopting scientific management and new culture technologies. This article delves into various facets of fisheries and aquaculture development in the Northeastern Region, examining the current state, production levels, challenges, and prospective strategies for achieving sustainable growth.