India benefits from a vast coastline spanning approximately 7500 km, providing access to diverse marine ecosystems along with the deep seas beyond, which support a rich variety of fish species.

India utilizes satellites and echo-sounders to locate large schools of fish in the open sea, thereby increasing yields by targeting these areas efficiently.

Marine fish are caught using various types of fishing nets deployed from fishing boats.

Popular marine fish varieties include pomphret, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and Bombay duck.

Capture fishing involves harvesting fish from natural habitats like oceans, rivers, and lakes, while fish farming involves raising fish in controlled environments such as ponds, tanks, or cages.

Fish production includes finned true fish as well as shellfish such as prawns and molluscs.

Fish farming can utilize either seawater or freshwater, with freshwater sources including rivers, lakes, and ponds.

The farming of shellfish such as prawns and molluscs is often referred to as mariculture or shellfish aquaculture.

Fish farming helps meet the growing demand for fish protein by providing a consistent and controlled supply of fish, thus contributing to food security and accessibility, particularly in regions where access to wild-caught fish is limited.

The two main methods are capture fishing, which involves harvesting fish from natural resources, and fish farming, also known as aquaculture or culture fishery.