Fisheries

A fishery is the industry built around catching, processing or selling fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals. A large section of the population depends on fish and other aquatic produce — such as prawn, crab, lobster and edible oyster — for food.

Common food fishes

• Freshwater fishes: Catla, Rohu and common carp are among the most familiar.
• Marine fishes: Hilsa, sardines, mackerel and pomfret are widely eaten.

Economic importance

Fisheries occupy an important place in the Indian economy. They provide income and employment to millions of fishermen and farmers, particularly in the coastal states, and for many families fishing is their only source of livelihood.

Increasing production

To meet rising demand, several techniques have been developed to boost production of both fresh-water and marine aquatic plants and animals:

• Pisciculture — the rearing of fish under controlled conditions
• Aquaculture — the broader cultivation of aquatic organisms, including fish, shellfish and aquatic plants, in both fresh and marine water …