An introduction to demersal finfish resources

An estimated 250 species of demersals form regular fisheries of \nvan.\\ing magnitude in Indian coastal bottom, with greater diversity in \nthe east coast compared to the west coast and occupy all types of \nhabitats. They are exploited by a variety of traditional and mechanised \ncraft and gear. Their production has reached 7 lakh tonnes in 1994, \ncomprising of sciaenids (24 %), pink perch (12%), silverbellies (9%), \nelasmobranchs (9%), large perches (8%), flatfishes (7%), catfishes and \npowfrets (6% each), and lizard Jishes (5%). The paper overviews the \ndemersal fisheries research in India since the inception ofCMFRI.