Recent Advances in Coastal Aquaculture

The world fish production is around 152 million tonnes supporting the nutritional security of the growing population of the world. Out of the total fish production, aquaculture contributes around 42%. The capture fisheries, though intensive efforts are made for exploitation in many cases is static or declining. In some areas through continuous unregulated over exploitation it has often exceeded the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and aquaculture has to necessarily support the fish production. Aquaculture is considered as one of the potential growth sectors showing annual growth rate between 8 and 10%. and is dominated by Asian countries. The importance of coastal aquaculture in the context of augmenting fish production, improving rural economy and productive utilisation of water resources is well-established. The development of coastal aquaculture received attention since certain fish stocks in the marine capture fishery indicated optimum level of exploitation, and their catch returns, despite increased efforts, showed declining trend. Following this, national Institutes concerned with research and development of marine and brackishwater fisheries, initiated investigations on coastal aquaculture such suitable organisms