Status of exploitation of coastal tunas in the Indian seas

Tuna and billfish production from Indian seas during the period 1985-'99 evinced an increasing trend and the landings fluctuated between 24,287 t (1987) and 53,6621 (1992). The average annual production during the said period was 40,2041, contributing to 3.6% of the total pelagic fish landings and 1.8% of the total marine fish landings. On an average, 24% of the total tuna and billfish production during 1991-'99 was contributed by northwest coast, 2% by Andaman and Nicobar islands and 14.9% by Lakshadweep. Among the maritime states, Kerala (36 %), Gujarat (18.1%) Tamilnadu (11.6%), Maharashtra (5.9%), Kamataka (5%), Andhra Pradesh (4.4 %) and Goa (2%) were the prime tuna producing states