Method of estimation of fish abundance in the Indian seas and steps to be taken for management of the commercial fisheries

The present slate of our knowledge of resources in the Indian seas, i.e., the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal is very limited. Exploration of demersal fisheries has been done with some intensity upto a depth of 40 fathoms only, but this does not even cover the entire coastal belt. The data available on deeper firounds are sporadic and do not lead to conclusions. On pelagic fisheries our assessment as to the quantities available is yet to be done and since the fishing fleet in the Indian Ocean is being increased considerably it is desirable to take up speedier methods of assessing the fish abundance both for demersal and pelagic stocks. Side by side it is also necessary to encourage sound fisheries management practices as the resources picture becomes clearer. The paper suggests an approach to these problems under Indian conditions