Molluscan Fisheries of India

Molluscs form valuable fisheries in various parts of the coasts of India providing shellfish as food and as source of lime, pearls and decorative shells, as constituents of medicinal preparations etc. The present status of exploitation of molluscan resources in the country and the progress made in researches on the culture of bivalve molluscs are presented and the possibilities for better utilization of the resources by proper exploitation are emphasized. Molluscan resources exist at innumerable places along the coasts of India and are exploited in varying degree of intensity forming valuable fisheries. The fisheries and biological aspects of the major species of molluscs of economic importance have been studied only at a few areas in the last few years. Exploitation of the available molluscan resources it is possible for India to increase production substantially from the present level which will provide greater quantities of wholesome sea-food to meet internal demand and requirements of export industry