Fisheries Resources of India

India has distinction of being one of the second largest producers of fish in the world and increasingly contributing to the nutritional security of the country. The present production of fish and shellfish from capture fisheries and aquaculture is around 8.0 million tonnes. The inland fishery resources of the country comprise of rivers & canals, reservoirs, tanks & ponds, estuaries, brackish water lakes, back waters, floodplain lakes(oxbow lake) etc. India is bestowed with vast marine resources in terms of 8,129 km long coastline, 0.53 million sq km of continental shelf and 2.02 million sq km of exclusive economic zone. The marine fisheries of India has been playing a pivotal role in meeting the demands of fish over the years.