Marine fisheries economics researchn India.In: Winter School onImpact of Climate Change on Indian Marine Fisheries held at CMFRI, Cochin 18.1.2008 to 7.2.2008

Marine fisheries ensure the livelihood security of about three million people inhabited along the coastal belt and an equal number living elsewhere and depending on the post harvest sector, besides supplying nutrition rich food to the entire population. In the export front, the foreign exchange earnings of marine products reached the level of Rs. 8363.53 crores (2006-07). Fisheries sector contributes to about one per cent of the GDP (2005-06). Though the marine fish production has increased from 0.5 million tonnes in 1950 to 2.71 million tonnes in 2006, the per capita production of all types of fishing units has declined over the years. The post harvest sector of marine fisheries employs about 15 lakh people. In marine fish marketing, initially almost the entire 1332 landing centres located all along the 8129 km of Indian coast, served as primary markets. Gradually the commercial importance of traditional landing points shifted to a few selected urban centres mainly because of the better fishery infrastructure facilities available in these areas, mechanisation of fishing and diversion of the fish catch to the export marketing channel.