Pelagic fisheries resources of India- An overview

The annual pelagic fish production increased from 0.30 million t during 1950 to 1.2 million t during 1996 along the Indian coast. \nThe four fold increase in production was due to mechanisation, motorisation of the country crafts, introduction of larger mechanised boats etc. Kerala ranked first among the maritime states of India, contributing 31% of the total pelagic fish followed by Gujarat (13.7%)and Tamil Nadu (13.0%). Out of the 250 species that contribute to the pelagic fisheries, only about 60 species belonging to 7 groups form fisheries of substantial magnitude. The groups which exceed one lakh t in production per year were mackerel, oil sardine, anchovies, carangids and Bombay duck. The fluctuations in the landings of oil sardine and Indian mackerel and the gear-wise production of \npelagics are discussed in the paper. Suitable management measures and suggestions for future research priorities for sustaining the pelagic fisheries have suggested in this overview.