Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture

Unit 4 - Indian marine capture fisheries

4.2. Potential yield of Indian EEZ
India declared its EEZ in 1977 with a view to judiciously exploit the marine fisheries resources available. The expert committee appointed in the year 2000 for revalidation of the stock has indicated that the potential yield from the Indian EEZ could be 39,34,417 tonnes, of which 20,17,072 tonnes are demersal fish, 16,73,545 tonnes pelagic and 2,43,800 tonnes oceanic resources. Based on the observation of the working group, bulk of the additional harvestable yield is expected from the demersal resources from the shelf area such as large species of perches, deep sea and oceanic squids, tuna and allied species from the EEZ. The following table shows the depth-wise potential yield of marine fishery resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India.

It is evident from the above table that about 58% of the resources are distributed in the 0 -50 m depth zone, 53% in the 50 -200 m depth zone, and 7% in the areas beyond 200 m.
The coast-wise distribution of these resources is given in the following table.

(Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, 2005)

The above table shows that about 60% of the fisheries resources are distributed along the west coast, about 28% along the east coast and rest in Lakshadweep and Andaman Islands. The potential yield of demersal and oceanic- pelagic resources is almost equal.

Potential yield of pelagic fishery resources of the Indian EEZ.

It is clear from the above table that oil sardine, mackerel, ribbonfish, anchovies, Bombay Duck, other sardines etc., constitute the major pelagic fishery resources of the EEZ of India.

Potential yield of demersal fishery resources of the Indian EEZ

It is apparent from the above table that shrimps, croakers, bivalves, mantis shrimp, perches, cephalopods, elasmobranches, catfishes, silverbellies, pomfrets, flatfishes, etc., constitute the major demersal fishery resources of the EEZ of India.

Potential yield of oceanic fishery resources of the Indian EEZ