Tunas constitute 3.7% of the total commercial pelagic Jin fish
production of the country (Av. 1992-96: 1,14.1067 t). The dominant
species which support tuna fishery in the small scale sector in
India are Euthynnus afflnls. Auxis thazard, A. rochel, Thunnus
tonggol, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares and Sarda
orlentalls. Of the total tuna catch (Av. 1992-96: 41,978 t). 77.6%
has been landed from, the west coast, 16.8% from the east coast 5%
from the Lakshadweep and 0.5% from the Andaman & Nicobar islands.
The status of production of different tuna species in India
and their environmental preference are summarised. Biological features
such as food and feeding habits, age and growth, size at first
maturity, spawning and fecundity are briefly discussed. Trends in
the production of tunas along the mainland coast of India and
Lakshadweep, population parameters and the results of stock assessment
are presented briefly. Suggestions for future research
and options for tuna fishery development in India are also discussed.
The present communication is a review of the works done during the
past fifty years and discusses the present status and future strategy
of tuna fisheries research and development in India
