'Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi'
Abstract
India is one of the largest fish producers in the world and contributes 5.43% to global
fish production. India ranks second in fish production from aquaculture sector following
China at top. Total fish production of India during 2010-11 was 8.42 million metric tones.
Inland sector contributes about 5.2 million metric tones, whereas marine sector contributes
3.22 million metric tones. India has a long coastline of about 8,129 km and continental shelf
area of 0.5 million km2. Declining catch rates in marine capture fisheries consequently
created serious unemployment issues in rural coastal areas. Issues faced by marine fisheries
sector in India have focused the attention of policy makers and rural fishers towards
development of mariculture and coastal aquaculture activities as alternative livelihood option