Marine fisheries contribute to food, nutrition, employment and income generation in India. The
sector supports about four million people for their livelihood and nearly one million fishermen by way of
employment and contributes significantly to the export earnings of the country and balance of trade.
The sector contributes to an economic wealth valued at nearly US$10 billion annually. The marine
fisheries of the country consist of small-scale and artisanal fishers belonging mechanized, motorized
and non-mechanized sectors and a range of other stakeholders, including governmental and nongovernmental
agencies. Though India is not a leading producer in true mariculture we are second in
aquaculture production after China. Coastal aquaculture of shrimp has a major role in aquaculture
production and export in India. Even though there is vast scope, recently only India has taken up
mariculture technologies to the stake holder level. Due to the success achieved mariculture, it has been
identified as a potential source of production enhancement for high valued species like lobster, seabass,
cobia and pompano for which the capture fishery is negligible