Establishment of the Institute
India possesses vast and diverse inland fisheries resources comprising rivers, reservoirs, floodplain wetlands, lakes, lagoons, estuaries and other inland water bodies. These resources have traditionally played an important role in food security, employment and livelihoods.
Recognizing the importance of these resources, the Government of India established the Central Inland Fisheries Research Station at Calcutta on 17 March 1947, under the then Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The establishment of the institution marked an important step towards organized scientific research on inland fisheries and aquatic resources. The institute gradually expanded its research activities to address the biological, ecological, technological and socio-economic dimensions of inland fisheries.
Over the years, research programmes were developed on riverine fisheries, reservoir fisheries, floodplain wetlands, fish population dynamics, fish biology, fisheries management, aquatic ecology and fishery enhancement technologies.
The institute has also contributed to technology development, capacity building and extension activities aimed at transferring scientific knowledge and improved fisheries practices to stakeholders.
