Marketing and economic feasibility of open sea cage culture

India is one of the largest fish producers in the world and contributes 5.43% to global \nfish production. India ranks second in fish production from aquaculture sector following \nChina at top. Total fish production of India during 2010-11 was 8.42 million metric tones. \nInland sector contributes about 5.2 million metric tones, whereas marine sector contributes \n3.22 million metric tones. India has a long coastline of about 8,129 km and continental shelf \narea of 0.5 million km2. Declining catch rates in marine capture fisheries consequently \ncreated serious unemployment issues in rural coastal areas. Issues faced by marine fisheries \nsector in India have focused the attention of policy makers and rural fishers towards \ndevelopment of mariculture and coastal aquaculture activities as alternative livelihood option.