FISH PRODUCTION

Fish production in India has increased at a higher rate compared to food grains, milk,
eggs and other food items. India ranks second in the world fish production with an annual fish
production of about 6.9 million metric tonnes. Fisheries sector contributed Rs. 34,758 crores to
the GDP during 2005-06, which was 1.2% of the national GDP and to 5.3% of the agricultural
GDP. However, the share of fisheries sector in the State Domestic product was estimated to be
1.44% in 2005-06. There has been a gradual shift (as shown in the figure below) in the
production scenario from marine to inland fisheries in recent years.

Fish production in India during past 7 years (2000-07) given in table below clearly
indicate a sudden upsurge in inland fish production can be attributed to the increasing
performance of inland aquaculture in the country.

Fish Production (‘000 tonnes)

Year
Marine % Inland % Total
2000-01 2811 49.70 2845 50.30 5656
2001-02 2830 47.52 3126 52.48 5956
2002-03 2990 48.23 3210 51.77 6200
2003-04 2941 45.96 3458 54.04 6399
2004-05 2778 44.07 3526 55.93 6304
2005-06 2810 42.78 3760 57.22 6570
2006-07(p) 3000 43.67 3869 56.33 6869
(Source: Economic Survey, 2007 and ICAR, 2006)

Fish production in Kerala is dominated by marine sector accounting for over 87% of net
fish production from the state. The inland fish production of Kerala and their precentage share to
total fish production has been increasing marginally since 2002-03.

Fish Production (metric tonnes)

Year
Marine % Inland % Total
2000-01 566571 86.92 85234 13.08 651805
2001-02 596783 88.44 78039 11.56 674822
2002-03 603286 88.94 75036 11.06 678322
2003-04 608525 88.86 76279 11.14 684804
2004-05 601863 88.73 76451 11.27 678314
2005-06 558913 87.75 77980 12.25 636893
2006-07 561000 87.64 79110 12.36 640110
(Source: Economic Review, 2007)
Dr.C.V.Narasimha Murthy, JBDC, KAVALI, B.Sc., Zoology Notes 2010.
 20.1: Fish Production in India in 1950-51, 1960-61,
1970-71 and 1980-81 to 2004-05
(Lakh Tonnes)
Year Marine Inland Total
1 2 3 4

1950-51 5.34 2.18 7.52

1960-61 8.80 2.80 11.60

1970-71 10.86 6.70 17.56

1980-81 15.55 8.87 24.42

1981-82 14.45 9.99 24.44

1982-83 14.27 9.40 23.67

1983-84 15.19 9.87 25.06

1984-85 16.98 11.03 28.01

1985-86 17.16 11.60 28.76

1986-87 17.13 12.29 29.42

1987-88 16.58 13.01 29.59

1988-89 18.17 13.35 31.52

1989-90 22.75 14.02 36.77

1990-91 23.00 15.36 38.36

1991-92 24.47 17.10 41.57

1992-93 25.76 17.89 43.65

1993-94 26.49 19.95 46.44

1994-95 26.92 20.97 47.89

1995-96 27.07 22.42 49.49

1996-97 29.67 23.81 53.48

1997-98 29.50 24.38 53.88

1998-99 26.96 26.02 52.98

1999-2000 28.52 28.23 56.75

2000-01 28.11 28.45 56.56

2001-02 28.30 31.26 59.56

2002-03 29.90 32.10 62.00

2003-04 29.41 34.58 63.99

2004-05 27.79 35.25 63.04

Source : Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture,
New Delhi

India Fish Exports

The village populations in India which comprises of more than 1/3 of the Indian
population have nothing but poverty all around them. They are far too poor to even afford an
adequate diet. The main means of sustenance here is agriculture and fishing, especially in the
coastal areas. There is a good market for India fish in the world.

The newly elected government in India in June 1991 realized that India's budget deficit,
balance of payment problems and structural imbalances would necessitate re-evaluation of past
economic policies and financial institutions. To bring about economic reform, the Indian
government has tried to bring about a more effective trade regime. The average tariff for fish is
68.6 % with added taxes of 4% and 10% added to most products. In spite of reforms Indian

Dr.C.V.Narasimha Murthy, JBDC, KAVALI, B.Sc., Zoology Notes 2010.

tariffs are the highest in the world. Even after the liberalized system of import license, seafood
has strict license rules. This applies to India fish as well.

In 1990 India fish exports increased from 3.7 million tons to 5.3 million tons in 1999.
The gross value of fisheries output in 1997-98 was U.S. $ 4845 million. In 1999, most of the fish
production consisted of carp, barbell and other cyprinids {2.2 million tons}, next followed
redfishes etc {0.7 million tons}, miscellaneous fresh water fish{0.4 million tons}, marine fish
and shrimps/prawns {0.3 million tons}.

India was the largest exporter of fish in 1998, which amounted to 384474 tons which was
worth U. S. $1100 million. India fish exports increased steadily from133572 t in 1990 to 384474
t in 1998 and the value went up from U.S.$467 million to U.S.$ 1134 million.

Most of India's fish exports have gone to Japan closely followed by United Arab
Emirates, U.S.A. and EU. The Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore, China and
Malaysia are also important markets of Indian fish. The import situation is radically different.
Initially, India was a country where no imports were allowed. But once the borders were opened,
imports quickly increased, though the import level is still very low. India's main import is
fishmeal. Another product imported from Bangladesh is the Hilsa. 97% of the imports in 1998,
of fresh and frozen fish, came from Bangladesh.

In the Global Market there is a definite inclination towards India fish which is now
considered as the brain food. This is a major boon for developing countries like India, which
along with other Southeast Asian countries is earning more than $33 billion annually from the
export of fish. The per capita consumption of fish is 14.3 kgs per year, globally. The European
Union consumes 23.6 kg per capita annually and Southeast Asia 23 kg. By 2020, it is expected
that the per capita consumption of fish will rise to 35.9 kg in China alone and 25.8 kg per year in
South East Asia.

As of 2000, by order of their value, the most important fishery products which come
under the heading of India fish which were being exported were: shrimp ($10.8 billion), salmon
and trout($5.2 billion), crabs and lobsters ($3.8 billion), mollusks($2.8 billion), cephalopods
($2.7billion), fish meal ($2.1 billion), small pelagics ($1.6) billion, large pelagics ($1.1 billion)
and flatfish($1.1 billion).

One of the most interesting parts about seafood trade is that a more extensive
liberalization of world markets could be disastrous for it. 60% of the major fisheries of the world
are already being over exploited. Open access will lead to over harvesting and depletion of fish
stock. Therefore regulatory restrictions are absolutely necessary. Under these circumstances it
would become difficult to sustain the international market.

The fishery production is around 125 million tons. China, Japan, India, U.S.A., Russian
federation, Indonesia and Chile are the major fish producing countries. Out of this India holds a
third position in the world production. Currently, India's total annual fish production is 5.65
million tons (Inland-2.8 million tons and Marine-2.83 million tons). But India has an estimated
potential of about 8.4 million tons (Inland 4.50 and marine3.90 million tons). This vast untapped
potential can be utilized successfully to uplift India's fish trade in the international market and
secure a position for India fish in the world.

Credit facilities have helped the India Fish Industry immensely

Credit has been provided for aquaculture mainly by banks and NABARD has also
played a very vital role in the credit schemes of marine, inland and brackish water aquaculture.
This credit facility is mainly used for processing, packaging, preservation, transportation and
marketing of India fish, fish products, prawn culture etc. With this credit money new ponds can
be developed, old ponds can be expanded, quality feed can be manufactured and many such
other things. Manual and mechanized boats can be improved upon. Their capacity can be
increased and additional gears, nets and other equipments may be added.
The initial credit given by the banks for the India fish fishery industry was Rs 4480
million in 1998-99 and this increased to Rs 5980 million in 2001-2. NABARD refinance also
went up from Rs 297 million in 1998-99 to Rs 347 million in 2002-3.
Apart from giving a financial boost, the central and state governments have laid down
certain guidelines and policies also. In order to provide education to the fisheries, the Indian
Dr.C.V.Narasimha Murthy, JBDC, KAVALI, B.Sc., Zoology Notes 2010.
Council of Educational Research has set up a research institute. Financially vulnerable farmers
have been given help especially for aquaculture of India fish..
An area where aquaculture is possible is identified by the government and guidelines are
given to the farmers. Certain regulatory measures are taken in order to prevent over harvesting of
India fish. They also try to protect the interests of small fish producers.
A program has been initiated by FAO and NABARD to provide micro finance and
women in the coastal areas to become financially independent. This can go a long way in the
alleviation of poverty because it will also supplement the family income.
The corporate sector has done its bit by introducing advanced technology for increased
production of India fish, exports and prawn culture. They invest in high powered fishing vessels
and put up freezing plants. This goes a long way in the total enhancement of the fishery division.
The corporate sector has spent around Rs 600 million, especially for shrimp farming and its
exports.
All these avenues which provide financial, as well as technical help go a long to remove
fishermen from the poverty line, as well as give a big boost to the India fishing industry.
Description-Financial aid and technical guidance provided by the financial and
educational institutions for the aquaculture of India fish.

Dr.C.V.Narasimha Murthy, JBDC, KAVALI, B.Sc., Zoology Notes 2010.