Mumbai: Despite a decline in marine fish production across the country, Maharashtra has reported a significant increase of 47% in 2024, according to a report by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Port and Fisheries minister Nitesh Rane had taken decision to install drone cameras at strategic locations along the Maharashtra coast to monitor and curb illegal fishing. This move has had a significant impact on reducing unauthorized fishing activities, including those by fishermen from other states and LED fishing.
The results of these measures have been evident within just five months, with a substantial increase in the state's fish production. In contrast, the country's overall fish production declined by 2% in 2024, with a production of 34.70 lakh tonnes compared to 35.30 lakh tonnes in 2023.
Maharashtra's achievement is notable, especially when compared to other states on the west coast, such as Karnataka, Goa, and Daman and Diu, which reported a decline in fish production. The state's fish production growth has contributed to the country's overall fish production growth.
Top Performing States
According to the CMFRI report, the top-performing states in terms of fish production growth are Maharashtra (47%), West Bengal (35%), Tamil Nadu (20%), and Odisha (18%).
The report also highlights an increase in the production of key fish species, including Bangda (2.93 lakh tonnes) and Tarali (2.41 lakh tonnes). Other species, such as Pedvey and Mandeli, have also seen an increase in production.
