HINTS:
Despite rapid growth in total fish production, an individual fish farmers’ average annual production in India is only 2 tonnes, compared to 172 tonnes in Norway, 72 tonnes in Chile, and 6 tonnes per fisherman in China.
Inspite of vast coastline India is not a major player in fishing industry due to the following reasons:
• Lack of a reliable database relating to aquatic and fisheries resources
• Limited number of species grown / cultured, mainly due to weak linkages between research and development and fish farmers community.
• Weak multi-disciplinary approach in fisheries and aquaculture
• Inadequate attention to the environmental, economic, social and gender issues in fisheries and aquaculture
• Inadequate HRD and specialized manpower in different disciplines.
• Weak marketing and extension network
• Decline in fish catch and depletion of natural resources due to over exploitation of coastal fisheries.
• Water pollution; unscientific management of aquaculture and contamination of indigenous germplasm resources.
• Poor yield optimization, problems in harvest and post-harvest operations, landing and berthing facilities for fishing vessels and issues in welfare of fishermen. o Poor quality of fish feed remain a challenge
• Marine fishing has declined due to depleting resources, energy crisis and resultant high cost of fishing
• The sector is also experiencing loss of biodiversity on account of adverse climate change.
• Large % of this sector continues to remain structured on unorganised and traditional lines with little proliferation of technological improvements.
• India has yet to realise the potential of deep-sea fishing.
• Poor infrastructure especially in relation to marine fishing results in significant post harvest losses.
• The annual fishing (trawling) ban is done during the monsoon season for breeding and spawning of fish species. But some fish species like Cuttlefish and squid breed and spawn during October.
• Security of fishermen especially along the maritime boundaries with Sri Lanka and Pakistan remains a concern. Skirmishes with the Sri Lankan navy often result in casualties and damage of boats.
