Key Points
Key Points: Types of Fishing
- Pelagic Fishing – Catches fish that live near the surface of the sea. These fish move in large shoals and fishing is often seasonal.
- Demersal Fishing – Catches fish living at the bottom of shallow seas (up to 40 metres depth). Cod is a common example.
- Inshore Fishing – Done near the coast in shallow waters. It is common in tropical and temperate regions and includes shellfish like crabs and molluscs.
- Fresh Water Fishing – Fish are caught in rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. It mainly supplies local demand and is rarely exported.
Key Points: Fishing in India
- Importance – Fishing is one of the oldest occupations and an important source of food rich in proteins and vitamins.
- Types of Fisheries –
Marine fisheries – Fishing in seas and oceans up to 200 metres depth.
Inland fisheries – Fishing in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs. - Production – India produces about 7% of the world’s fish and ranks second among fish-producing countries.
- Growth Trend – Fish production has increased greatly over the years, especially inland fisheries.
- Major Coastal States – Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat.
Key Points: Programme for Development of Fisheries & Fishing Methods
- Government Programmes – Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs) and Brackish Water Fish Farmers Development Agencies (BFDAs) were started to increase inland and coastal fish production.
- Infrastructure Development – Major fishing harbours, minor harbours and fish landing centres have been developed to support marine fisheries.
- Modernisation Support – Fishermen are given subsidies to motorise traditional boats and improve fishing operations.
- Modern Fishing Methods – Important methods include Drifting, Trawling, Seining and Lining. These use modern nets and mechanised boats.
- Advanced Technology – Sonar, radar and factory trawlers with refrigeration facilities are used to increase catch and process fish efficiently.
Key Points: Fish Conservation
- Need for Conservation – Overfishing, indiscriminate catching of immature fish and water pollution have reduced fish resources. Fish regenerate slowly, so protection is necessary.
- Restocking – Overfished waters can be improved by transferring fish from well-populated areas or introducing new species.
- Control of Indiscriminate Fishing – Catching of immature fish should be stopped and strict rules should be enforced.
- Artificial Breeding & Pollution Control – Artificial fertilization in hatcheries and protection of water bodies from pollution help increase fish population.
- International Cooperation & Research – Global agreements and scientific research are essential because fish move across national boundaries.
Key Points: Marine Fisheries
- Fishing Area – India has a long coastline of about 7,500 km. About 75% of marine fish catch comes from the west coast.
- Main Fish Varieties – Important marine fish include sardine, herring, mackerel, pomfret and tuna.
- Major Producing States – Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Gujarat.
- Problems – Fishing is seasonal due to monsoon winds and cyclones. Many fishermen still use small, non-mechanised boats.
- Other Challenges – Lack of cold storage, refrigeration, transport and organised markets reduces the growth of marine fisheries.
Key Points: Fresh Water or Inland Fisheries
- Rich Resources – India has rich inland fish resources in rivers, canals, reservoirs, tanks, ponds, lakes, lagoons and estuaries.
- Rapid Growth – Inland fish production has increased rapidly and now forms a major share of total fish production.
- Main River Systems – Important rivers supporting inland fisheries are the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Tapti and Cauvery.
- Major Producing States – Andhra Pradesh (largest producer), West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat and Kerala.
- Landlocked States – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh depend entirely on inland fisheries as they have no sea coast.
- Important Fish Varieties – Sardines, mackerel, pomfret, prawns, catfish and rohu are commonly caught.
- Trade & Export – India exports about 10% of its fish production mainly to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius and Singapore.
Key Points: Fishing Grounds
- Location – The major fishing grounds of the world are mainly found in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, especially over continental shelves (up to 200 m depth).
- Plankton Supply – Abundant plankton (microscopic plants and animals) is the main reason for rich fishing grounds, as fish depend on it for food.
- Cold Waters & Currents – Fish grow well in cold waters. The meeting of warm and cold ocean currents increases plankton growth and creates rich fishing areas (e.g., near Japan and Newfoundland).
- River Mouths & Coastline – River mouths bring minerals that increase plankton growth. Indented coasts with sheltered bays and estuaries are ideal for fishing ports.
- Other Factors – Availability of labour, market demand, transport facilities and shortage of foodgrains in some countries also encourage fishing activities.
