Impacts of Climate Change on Freshwater Fisheries: Challenges and Sustainable Strategies for the Godavari River Basin

AbstractFreshwater fisheries are vital for biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods in India, particularly in riverine ecosystems such as the Godavari basin. However, the accelerating impacts of climate change are posing unprecedented challenges to fish diversity and productivity. Rising temperatures, erratic monsoon rainfall, altered river flow regimes, and frequent drought-flood cycles are disrupting breeding grounds, migration patterns, and spawning success of native species. Sensitive fishes such as Indian major carps are showing signs of decline, while hardy and invasive species are expanding their range. These ecological shifts are directly linked to socioeconomic stress on dependent fishing communities. This paper examines the interplay between climate variability and fisheries health in the Godavari River basin, integrating ecological observations with socioeconomic implications. The study highlights sustainable strategies, including climate-smart aquaculture, species diversification, wetland restoration, and community-based fisheries management, as adaptive responses to mitigate risks. By aligning local practices with broader climate resilience policies, freshwater fisheries in the Godavari basin can be sustained as a cornerstone of regional food security and biodiversity conservation.