Aquaculture is no longer just about producing fish — it is about shaping the future of food security, sustainability, and innovation. This first volume of a landmark three-part series dives deep into the cutting-edge methods and transformative practices redefining aquaculture today. Written for students, scientists, professors, industry professionals, and farmers, it offers a comprehensive exploration of both finfish and shellfish production, blending rigorous research with practical insights.

This volume exhibits a global relevance from coldwater fish in the Himalayas to shrimp farming in India’s coastal plains, capturing aquaculture’s diverse landscapes and challenges and covers a wide range of topics including coldwater fish production and SWOT analysis of global and Indian aquaculture, nutritional innovations such as dietary zinc requirements, advances in carp farming, shrimp farming, mullet & milkfish farming, including Pangasius culture, diversification into crab culture, pearl farming, ornamental fish keeping, and marine ornamental aquariculture and recent practices in air-breathing fish culture, murrel farming, and hill fish farming. Critical themes like therapeutics and health management, species diversification, and policy paradigms are dealt with, highlighting innovations and breakthroughs in aquaculture systems such as bio-floc, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), organic farming, and bioremediation. The volume has a strong focus on sustainability, emphasising on how modern practices balance productivity with ecological responsibility, ensuring aquaculture’s role in global food security. Each chapter combines scientific depth with practical insights, making it a vital resource for both academic study and on-the-ground farming.

Volume I is a must-read for its blend of scientific rigor, practical insights, and futuristic perspectives that are crucial for sustainable aquaculture development. It equips readers with knowledge to navigate both the challenges and opportunities in the evolving fisheries sector, making it an indispensable guide to advancing aquaculture practices responsibly and innovatively. In a world where demand for sustainable protein sources is skyrocketing, aquaculture stands at the crossroads of science, innovation, and necessity. This book is not just a reference — it is a roadmap for the future of fisheries and aquaculture. Whether you are shaping policy, conducting research, or cultivating ponds, Volume I equips you with the knowledge to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Debajit Sarma currently serves as Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Aquaculture at ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai. He possesses 28 years of extensive experience in research, teaching, academic administration and extension having worked as Assistant Professor, Senior Scientist, Principal Scientist, Head, and Director (Acting) in UGC and ICAR systems. He completed his B.F.Sc. from CoF, Raha; M.F.Sc. from ICAR–CIFE, Mumbai; DBM from NMIMS, Mumbai and Ph.D. from Gauhati University, Assam, India. Sarma has received numerous prestigious awards, including the “Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi ICAR Award,” “Fellow of Academy of Environmental Biology,” “AEB Gold Medal,” “Fellow of Zoological Society of India,” “Fellow of Coldwater Fisheries Society of India,” “Dalela Oration Award,” “Eminent Scientist Award,” “IBRF Excellence Award,” “Scientist of the Year – 2017,” “VRP Sinha Award,” and “CFSI Honour,” recognizing his remarkable contributions to fisheries and aquaculture. For his distinguished collaborative work with various academic institutions, he received “Appreciation Awards” from Rajiv Gandhi University and Gauhati University. Additionally, he was honoured with “Certificates of Appreciation” from the Department of Fisheries, Government of Mizoram; Government of Sikkim; Government of Nagaland; Government of Jammu & Kashmir; Government of Himachal Pradesh; Assam Bhoreli Angling and Conservation Association; Jasingfaa Aqua-Tourism Centre; Guamco Society & MAFA for his significant contributions in aquaculture, fisheries management and conservation. Dr. Sarma has standardized the hatchery management and seed production technologies for golden (Tor putitora) and chocolate mahseer (Neolissochilus hexagonolepis). His notable achievements also include the rehabilitation, conservation, and eco-tourism based promotion of mahseer in various lotic and lentic ecosystems of Northeast India. He has published 127 research papers in reputed national and international journals, along with over 200 technical articles, book chapters, manuals, and bulletins. He has authored or edited 13 books published by leading national and international publishers. He is also associated as Editor/Editorial Board Member with several prominent journals. He also served as a member of the DBT-TEC Committee, Government of India and Independent Expert Member constituted by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Sarma holds 3 patents and 1 copyright, developed 8 technologies, and commercialized 4 products through PPP mode. He has also discovered 2 new species. He has completed 20 research projects funded by various scientific organizations and developed several packages of practices benefiting diverse stakeholders. Over his career, he has supervised 1 National Post-Doctoral Fellow, 14 Ph.D. scholars, and 22 M.F.Sc./M.Sc. students. He has organized 18 national seminars and symposia as Organizing Secretary and conducted 55 national HRD programmes as Course Director/Coordinator, benefitting more than 11,000 fish farmers and state fisheries personnel. He has participated in several international seminars and training programmes in Korea, China, Spain, Malaysia, Bhutan, and Thailand. He is the Founder Secretary of the Coldwater Fisheries Society of India, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, and has served as its President. He has also served as Vice-President of the Academy of Environmental Biology (AEB) and is a life member of many professional bodies including CFSI, AEB, ZSI, Aaranyak, NESFA, Assam Science Society, and Asian Fisheries Society.

Paramita Banerjee Sawant is a distinguished aquaculture scientist, educator, and researcher serving as Principal Scientist and Professor in the Division of Aquaculture at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education. With over two and a half decades of experience in fisheries and aquaculture research, she has established herself as an authority in ornamental fish research, particularly their biology, physiology, breeding technologies, nutrition, and sustainable aquaculture systems. Dr. Sawant's research focuses on the development of captive breeding and seed production technologies for indigenous ornamental fishes, broodstock management, larval rearing, species-specific feed formulation, colour enhancement, reproductive endocrinology, and biodiversity conservation, polymorphism, colour enhancement, species-specific ornamental fish feed development, feeding strategies and colour enhancement of native and high value ornamental fishes using processed biowaste, ontogeny and larval rearing of ornamental fish and biodiversity studies in restorative ecosystems. Her recent research spans captive breeding and conservation of indigenous ornamental fishes such as zebra loach (Botia striata), golden killifish (Aplocheilus lineatus), dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius), scarlet badis (Dario dario) and other native species, while also exploring innovative approaches for sustainable aquaculture, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration. In her career spanning 25 years, her work has significantly contributed to the advancement of ornamental fisheries in India through the development of innovative breeding protocols, nutritional interventions, and conservation strategies for economically important and threatened fish species. She has to her credit, more than 180 scientific publications which include 144 original research articles in impactful peer reviewed international and national journals, 7 resource books, two patents, several ICAR certified technologies, trademarks and copyrights, training manuals in English, Hindi, and local languages for students, entrepreneurs and ornamental fish farmers. Her research has attracted substantial national and international attention, generating over 1563 citations, with h-index of 23 and an i10-index of 49, contributing to the scientific understanding of ornamental fish culture, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, fish nutrition, and ecosystem-based aquaculture management. Throughout her career, Dr. Sawant has led and mentored numerous postgraduate and doctoral academic and research programs, guiding young scientists (18 Masters’ and 8 Doctoral scholars) in emerging areas of aquaculture and fisheries science. Before joining ICAR-CIFE, she served in academic and research positions at the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, gaining extensive experience across freshwater and marine fisheries sectors. Paramita’s contributions have helped strengthen India's ornamental fisheries sector through research-driven innovations, capacity building, and technology dissemination. Her work continues to bridge fundamental science and practical aquaculture applications, promoting sustainable fish production, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood enhancement for fish farmers and entrepreneurs. Being a forerunner in research in her subject areas of expertise and a distinguished academician with several National and International awards (Best Woman Scientist Award, Best Teacher Award, Stree Kartiva Samman Award of Govt. of Maharashtra, she has trained several ornamental fish farmers, young fisheries professionals and young fisheries enthusiasts under Skill Development Programs, Tribal Sub Plan, North East Hill Region specific training programs.