From the archive record
Man cuts fish at his shop in fish market of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Fisheries sector occupies a very important place in the socio-economic development of the country. It has been recognized as a powerful income and employment generator as it stimulates growth of a number of subsidiary industries, and is a source of cheap and nutritious food, besides being a foreign exchange earner. Most importantly, it is the source of livelihood for a large section of economically backward population of the country. Yet the above said benefits are at risk as the exploitation of natural fish stocks is reaching limits and aquaculture production has not yet fulfilled its potential. In aquaculture production freshwater and brackish water resources are utilized to certain extent. The freshwater aquaculture produc