The Himachal Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has introduced a minimum support price (MSP) for fish caught from reservoirs. This move is aimed at shielding fishermen from market fluctuations and ensuring a stable income. The set composite MSP for reservoir fish stands at Rs 100 per kg, with a subsidy of up to Rs 20 per kg if auction prices dip below this level, as per an official statement released on Sunday.
In a bid to further support fishermen, the Chief Minister has also reduced the royalty rate on reservoir fish. Initially lowered from 15% to 7.5%, the royalty rate has now been slashed to just one percent for the current fiscal year. This reduction is anticipated to directly benefit more than 6,000 reservoir fishermen, easing their financial burden and boosting their earnings significantly.
Himachal Pradesh is home to five key reservoirs, namely Gobind Sagar, Pong Dam, Ranjit Sagar, Chamera, and Kol Dam. These reservoirs are abundant in various fish species, with silver carp and singhara being the dominant ones. Noteworthy improvements in reservoir fish production have been witnessed due to strategic interventions like annual stocking of advanced fingerlings, leading to a rise in production from 549.35 metric tons in 2022-23 to 818.02 metric tons in 2025-26.
The state government’s progressive policies are anticipated to fortify the reservoir fisheries economy, encourage sustainable fishing practices, and enhance the involvement of fishing communities in reservoir-related activities. Efforts are underway to expand fisheries infrastructure, revamp marketing systems, and create better livelihood opportunities for fishermen and fish farmers. Himachal Pradesh has also seen a rise in overall fish production, from 19,019 metric tons in 2024-25 to 20,005 metric tons in 2025-26, showcasing the positive impact of ongoing developmental initiatives in the fisheries sector on rural employment and the state’s economy.
