GUWAHATI, Aug 8 – It could well become one of the biggest generators of income and employment, but so far it is yet to face its gravest threat in recent times. The fisheries sector of Assam, that provides livelihood, income and nutrition to lakhs of people is still uninformed about the ramifications of climate change. Not only does the Department of Fisheries have no mitigation plan, there are no scientific studies to reveal how the climate-dependent sector would be influenced with changes in temperature, rainfall and humidity.

“Some of us are aware that climate change could affect the fisheries sector...a few have also attended seminars on global warming, but we don’t have a strategy or policy at hand,” said a senior official of the fisheries department who wished anonymity.

The present situation appears inexplicable because more than 7.5 lakh families in Assam are directly involved in pisciculture in the organised and unorganised way. Most of them reside in far-flung areas, where alternative means of livelihood are non-existent. Many fish farmers live below the poverty line at present.

Sources in the fisheries department indicated that there was need to know about the possible impact of climate change for a number of reasons, among which is to ascertain whether fish production would increase due to warmer temperatures. There are credible reports, which suggest that having one or two months of extra warmth will add to the growth of fish.

The other issue that could be addressed by studies is to what extent dry weather with high temperatures will impact on water bodies in which fish farming is practiced in the state. Fish farmers at present would also be interested to know if the present basket of fish would continue to be suitable in a changed climatic regime, and if not what the alternatives could be.

According to Dr Umesh Goswami, of Gauhati University’s Zoology department, “Understanding the effects of climate change and its likely effects on fish is important as fluctuations in temperature, rainfall will have a bearing on physiology, life history, and production of fish. As a first step there ought to be a monitoring system to record the changes because there are no credible facts and figures”.

Experts believe that the fisheries department needs to have a proactive approach to recognise the perils of climate change and should seek knowledge inputs from research institutions. They also point to the need to spread awareness among the fish farmers on the challenge emerging from extreme weather events, which could prepare fish farmers to face the threat of climate change.