Marine Fish Landings in India 1985 -2004

Abstract

It is well recognized that for an informed fishery management regime, information on catch and fishing effort is an important prerequisite. This, together with data on biological characteristics of the exploited populations, would enable a proper assessment of the exploited stocks. With this in view, CMFRI, has been monitoring the coastal marine fishery resources of the Indian EEZ since its inception. The Institute has built up a large database on marine fisheries including data on catch, fishing effort and other biological parameters. The data are collected on a regular basis based on a scientifically designed sampling scheme, namely, the Stratified Multi-stage Random Sampling Design. A preliminary survey was undertaken by CMFRI to collect data on number of marine fishing villages, landing centers, fishing craft and gears to prepare a frame and in 1948 an attempt was made to collect marine fish catch statistics in a planned way. Similar surveys with varying details were carried out in subsequent years along Travancore-Cochin coast, Madras coast, Andhra coast, Canara coast and Bombay coast of yester years. On the basis of the vast experience and the studies made by the ICAR scientists in the initial stages, CMFRI has developed a multi stage sampling design. In this stratified multi-stage random sampling design, the stratification is over space and time, a two dimensional one. The details of the scheme and the methodology for estimation of landings are given in Srinath et.al. (2005). The Institute besides publishing estimates of marine fish landings from time to time in various issues of MFIS has also brought out a comprehensive appraisal of the status of the exploited marine fishery resources (Mohan Joseph and Jayaprakash, 2003). Recognizing the need for updating the information for the benefit of research workers, administrators and other stake holders, resource-wise estimates of marine fish landings in each maritime state (excluding Island territories) for each quarter from 1985 to 2004 are provided in this publication.