Approach and implementation strategies for Marine Fisheries Census 2016

Fisheries sector plays a significant role in the socio-economic development of a developing country like India by generating employment and income, besides being source of protein for a large section of the population. It generates a substantial amount of foreign exchange through exports. Over a period, marine fisheries sector in India has witnessed a significant improvement in fishing gear technologies, infrastructure, communication and transportation facilities which resulted in an increase in the annual marine fish production from 0.5 million tonnes in 1950 to 3.59 million tonnes in 2014. Marine fisheries are considered as renewable resources, but its management and development supported by focussed research activities are necessary to ensure sustainable fish production from the seas