India is the third-largest fish and aquaculture-producing country. It accounts for 7.96% of the total global fish production. The industry employs more than 28 million people in India.
Marine resources of India constitute a coastline of 8118 kms, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million sq. mt., and a continental shelf area of 0.53 sq. mt. The inland resources include 0.27 million kms of rivers and canals, 2.45 million hectares of ponds, 3.15 million hectares of tanks, and 1.2 million hectares of floodplain lakes.
In 2020-21, India's total marine and inland fish production stood at 14.73 million metric tonne (MMT), which includes 11.25 MMT and 3.48 MMT from inland and marine sectors, respectively. Fisheries sector plays a crucial role in the national economy and is one of the key contributors to the country's foreign exchange earnings. In 2020-21, 66% of the Marine Fisheries and 51% of the Inland Fisheries potential were harnessed. The overall production of marine products in India has been growing consistently for the last ten years. Total fish production grew from 8.67 MMT in 2011-12 to 14.73 MMT in 2020-21.
India mainly has eight major fish-producing states: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of marine products with 2019-20 production at 4.2 million MT. The share of Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Maharshtra during the same period was 6%, 4.5%, 5.8% and 4%, respectively.