In the marine fisheries map of India pelagic fishes dominated by clupeoids
undoubtedly occupy an important place by virtue of the relative magnitude of their fishery.
Clupeoids, in general, constitute about a third of the marine fish caught in India and within
this group oil sardine {Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes) known as "Mathi" in Malayalam
"Boothai" in Kannada and "Tarali" or "Haid" in Marathi, ranks first. Out of a total of
815,120 tonnes of marine fishes landed in 1965, oil sardine alone accounted for 253,302
tonnes forming 31. 69