Fisheries

The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises of four region namely, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe & Yanam with a total coastal line of 45 kilometers, 1000 sq.km of continental shelves enriched with marine fisheries potential. It has a fishermen population of about 95,467 of which 29,383 nos. of fishermen are actively engaged in fishing from 27 marine fishing villages and 23 inland fishing village / hamlets scattered in and around Union Territory of Puducherry. This Union Territory is also endowed with 1400 Ha of fresh water area in the form of Ponds and Tanks suitable for both capture and culture fishery. 800 Ha of Brackish water area are available for undertaking Brackish water Prawn Culture.

Fishery Sector has become a vital sector enriched with a source of livelihood for generating employment to a large extent of the society as well as sharing for national food security and valuable foreign exchange earnings. Under marine sector, coastal fisheries in many parts of the country having reached a saturation level, unexploited potential which lies in the deep sea has to be tapped up by adopting diversified method of fishing, by implementation of code of conduct for responsible fishery (CCRF), observance of closed season in the east & west coast etc. It is imperative to modernize the sector with diversified method of fishing with various new components related to exploitation of deep sea oceanic fishery resources, sea safety measures, insuring of fishing fleets etc., to ensure availability of fish in prime condition to the consumers and fishing industry.

Sea weed culture, Mud crab fattening is also proposed to be taken up. Introduction of Artificial Reef for improving livelihood security of Fishermen by resource enhancement.