Satellite Remote Sensing Applications in Mariculture Activities

During the last two decades the marine fisheries sector in India has undergone considerable change. The fishing fleet became larger and more energy-intensive, and the catch and trade of marine fishes increased substantially. Concern arising from the increasing fishing effort and the potential for overexploitation in Indian waters, led to scientific assessment of the status of several fish stocks. Consequently, attempts were made to shift from open to regulated access fisheries through Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs). However, conflicts in sharing the limited resources intensified within and with other sectors and this, in turn, had high economic, social and environmental costs (Vision 2050, CMFRI). Thus, in recent years, the sector recognized the need for effective management for sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment through ecosystem approach and habitat restoration. Success has been achieved in mariculture, raising hopes of producing a plentiful supply of fish in future by farming marine fis