Capture fisheries

Our state has 2.0 sq.km. of fishing area/fisherman, 0.24 sq.km. / boat and 1.75 tonnes of marine fish production / active fisherman. The statistics collected at Visakhapatnam reveal that though there is an increase in fleet strength from 59 (1981) to 180 (1991), the catch has fallen from 1649 tonnes to 1565 tonnes and so has catch per trawler from 27.9 tonnes to 8.7 tonnes which indicates tremendous increase in fishing pressure. It is a pointer to the unsound fishing practices. Elasmobrachs and Mackerels are the major catches upto a depth of 50 m. along our state coast. In depth zone of 51-100 m. Elasmobrachs, Mackerels, Cat fishes and Upeniods are the major catches.