Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu has secured the first position in marine fish production in the country, according to a report released on Thursday by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI). The state achieved this feat by surpassing Gujarat with a production of 6.85 lakh tonnes.
The report states that India’s total marine fish production is projected to increase to 3.57 million tonnes in 2025, a 3 percent increase compared to the previous year. This increase is being considered a positive sign for the country’s marine fisheries sector.
Tamil Nadu tops the list with a production of 6.85 lakh tonnes. Gujarat is second, where production has declined by 15 percent. This decline is attributed to factors such as adverse weather conditions, prolonged fishing bans, and cyclones.
Kerala is in third place with a production of 6.24 lakh tonnes, registering a 2 percent increase. Among the larger states, Karnataka recorded a significant growth of 44 percent, while Maharashtra saw an increase of 18 percent.
According to the report, among fish varieties, mackerel ranked first with a production of 2.70 lakh tons in 2025, followed by cephalopods with 2.57 lakh tons and sardines with 2.53 lakh tons. These figures reflect the diversity of the country’s marine fish production.
Kerala’s share in total seafood production is reported to be 17 percent, which is considered a significant contribution to the country.
The fisheries industry has also seen significant growth from an economic perspective. The total economic value of this industry at various fishing ports across the country has increased to ₹69,254 crore, a 10.45 percent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the retail value of fish in the market has increased to ₹97,702 crore.
According to experts, this increase is not only helping to increase fishermen’s incomes but also strengthening the marine economy. The report from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute is being considered an important indicator for the country’s fisheries sector, which could influence future policies and production strategies.
