Inland Fisheries

8.1.1 Introduction

Fishing crafts are most essential for catching the fish in large scale in water bodies. A large variety of crafts (boats) have been designed for marine and inland fishing in India. The types of fishing crafts of India falls under two general categories. These are non-mechanized and mechanized fishing crafts. Based on the topographical variations and difference in habits and habitats of fishes, different types of crafts and gears are used in various inland water systems of India. The simplest and most primitive types of craft used for fishing in inland waters are the rafts and songas, operated in calm waters. In the larger rivers and estuaries subject to strong current and tidal movements, sturdier plank built boats are used.