WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRIANGAR: To revive fish stocks and support the livelihoods of local fishermen, the Fisheries Department on Monday released over six lakh live fish seed into Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake.
The large-scale stocking operation, part of the department’s routine seed replenishment programme, aims to maintain the lake’s fish biomass, which has seen steady decline due to changing ecological patterns, pollution, and unregulated fishing.
Officials say that without regular stocking, the lake’s aquatic biodiversity could suffer irreparable damage.
“This initiative is crucial to keep the lake’s fish population stable. Without interventions like these, there’s a real risk of depletion, which directly impacts the income of hundreds of local fishermen and eco-system,” said an official supervising the stocking.
The fish seed, bred at the National Fish Seed Farm Manasbal, was transported to Dal Lake as part of a region-wide schedule that covers major water bodies across Kashmir. On Sunday, the drive also covered smaller stocking points in Srinagar. Officials said such measures are aimed at creating a sustainable environment for both fish and fishermen.
Fishermen in the Dal Lake area, many of whom rely entirely on fishing for their daily earnings, welcomed the move but expressed concern over deeper issues that continue to threaten their trade. “The stocking helps, yes—but it’s not enough,” said Ghulam Nabi, a fisherman from Rainawari. “The catch isn’t what it used to be. We need better enforcement against illegal fishing and pollution.”
Experts say that while stocking fish seed is important, long-term sustainability depends on a broader conservation strategy—one that includes regulating net sizes, curbing overfishing, and improving the lake’s water quality.
The department’s programme is typically conducted once a year, mostly during the early summer months. While it provides temporary relief, some question the absence of a larger policy to protect the fragile aquatic ecosystem of Dal Lake and other water bodies in the region.
“There needs to be a full-fledged fisheries management plan with year-round monitoring and community involvement,” said a local environmentalist. “Right now, it’s mostly one-off stocking events with little follow-up.”
The Fisheries Department has also urged local fishermen to comply with licensing regulations and avoid using destructive fishing methods. “Stocking is just one part of the process. For results to be visible, people also need to fish responsibly,” said the Joint Director of Fisheries (North), who attended the event and took part in the stocking.
He added that the department was looking into ways to involve local fishing communities more directly in conservation efforts, possibly through cooperatives and training programmes.
