Introduction

The 974 kms long coastline of Andhra Pradesh, a very productive stretch along the Bay of Bengal, supports a variety of economic activities. Multifarious industrial complexes, human settlements, fisheries, tourism, are all coming up along the coastline.

Ever increasing population and rapid developmental activities along the coastal zone, make coastal zone management a complex exercise. Increase in offshore activities for oil and gas extraction, mining of deposits, shipping and marine transportation add further complexity to the overall situation.

The coastal zone, an interface between land and water is traversed by important rivers such as Krishna and Godavari and other minor rivers such as Pennar, all of which drain into the Bay of Bengal. In addition, there are several creeks and important lakes such as Pulicat and Kolleru which again connect to the Bay of Bengal.

The continental shelf stretches over an area of 0.31 lakh sq. kms., constituting 7.4 percent of the total 4.15 lakh sq.kms. The shortest width of the continental shelf in Andhra Pradesh is 32 kms., when compared to 174.6 kms in case of Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh is one of the biggest maritime states of India having 453 maritime villages and 280 fish landing centers stretching along nine coastal districts and two major functional fishing harbours at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.