In July 2025, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) released a report titled “ICAR-CMFRI Annual Report 2024”. As per the report, India’s marine fish catch recorded a decline of 2% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching 3.47 million tonnes.
- Gujarat has topped the landings at 754,000 tonnes, followed by Tamil Nadu (TN) with 679,000 tonnes and Kerala (610,000 tonnes).
Exam Hint:
- What? India’s marine fish catch has dropped by 2% in 2024
- Report: ICAR-CMFRI Annual Report 2024
- Who released? ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
- Which state topped? Gujarat with 754,000 tonnes
- Largest catch: Indian mackerel with 2.63 lakh tonnes
Recorded Fish Catch:
Species: Among the fish species, Indian mackerel was the biggest marine resource, with a record of total catch of 2.63 lakh tonnes, followed by oil sardine (241,000 tonnes).
- Pelagic species account for 54% of total landings, followed by demersal fishes, crustaceans, and molluscs.
Progress: Species, including lesser sardines, penaeid shrimps, anchovies, and tune have seen a progress compared to 2023.
Decline: Several species, including mackerel, threadfin breams, ribbonfish, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods recorded decline in fish catch.
Regional Fish Catch:
Progress: Several states in the East Coast such as Maharashtra have surged by 47%, West Bengal (WB) (35%), TN (20%), and Odisha (18%).
Decline: States in the West coast region such as Karnataka, Goa, Daman & Diu, recorded a drop in fish catch. Gujarat, located on the West Coast has declined 8%, despite contributing 22% of the fish catch in India.
Sectors:
Motorised sector: The motorised sector recorded a surge of around 10 lakh tonnes, especially in TN and other East Coast regions.
Mechanised sector: This sector has recorded a decline of about 1.7 lakh tonne, making contributions to 76%.
Monitoring: CMFRI monitored around 2.5 lakh fishing trips, offering an in-depth analysis of productivity across India. The Mechanised fishing vessels reported an average catch of 2,959 kg per trip, with motorized ships used by traditional fishermen recorded 174 kg per trip.
- Non-motorized vessels recorded 41 kg per trip.
About Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI):
Director – Grinson George
Headquarters – Kochi, Kerala
Established – 1947
