Marine capture fisheries contributed nearly 60-65% of the total fish
production during the past decade. Out of the total marine landing of 1.4 million
metric tonnes comprising a variety of items, only a few selected species found
their way into the export market. During the 1981-85 period, the volume of
processed marine products exported from India was in the range of 70,000
to 92,000 tonnes per annum. Among the export items one single item, namely,
frozen shrimp constituted the bulk, amounting to more than 60% by volume
and 85% by value. The demand for different fishery items already in the export
markets and several new items for which India has potential for production is
on the increase in the international markets. Mainly on account of production
constraints we have however been unable to fully avail ourselves of the favourable
market opportunities
