Environmental Pollution and its Impact on Fish Health

Mridul Kr. Das

Abstract:

Aquatic ecosystems in India are under increasing threat from a multitude of pollution sources, significantly impacting fish health, biodiversity and production. This paper examines the multifaceted relationship between environmental pollution and fish production in India, highlighting the ecological, physiological and socio-economic consequences. Key sources of aquatic pollution include industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, plastic waste, thermal discharges and noise pollution. These pollutants introduce a range of toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues and microplastics into water bodies, compromising water quality and aquatic life. Bioaccumulation of contaminants in fish tissues results in toxicity, reproductive disorders and increased mortality, while endocrine-disrupting chemicals and hypoxic conditions from eutrophication further aggravate fish population declines. Consequently, pollution leads to a marked reduction in inland and coastal fishery yields, threatens aquaculture operations and poses serious food safety concerns due to contaminated fish entering the human food chain. Communities dependent on fisheries, especially small-scale fishers and women engaged in fish processing, face dwindling livelihoods and economic instability. Despite initiatives like the Namami Gange Programme, Blue Revolution Scheme and Central Pollution Control Board’s regulatory efforts, challenges persist due to infrastructure gaps, enforcement lapses and lack of public awareness. However, promising adaptive strategies such as recirculating aquaculture systems, biofloc technology, constructed wetlands and community-based water stewardship offer pathways toward sustainable fisheries management. Through a comprehensive review of current pollution sources, their impacts on fish physiology and the broader implications for food security and livelihoods, this study underscores the urgent need for integrated pollution control and conservation policies. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of India’s fisheries requires a synergistic approach combining science, policy and grassroots participation to safeguard aquatic ecosystems and enhance resilience in the face of environmental degradation.