India recorded 2% drop in marine fish landings in 2024, with the total reaching 3.47 million tonnes, according to estimates by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). While the decline appears modest, it masks varied trends across states and species.
Gujarat maintained its lead with 7.54 lakh tonnes, followed by Tamil Nadu at 6.79 lakh tonnes and Kerala at 6.10 lakh tonnes. Kerala’s marine landings saw a 4% dip compared to 2023, even as some eastern states posted strong gains.
Among the most landed species nationally, Indian mackerel topped the list at 2.63 lakh tonnes, with oil sardine following at 2.41 lakh tonnes. However, both these species—along with threadfin breams, ribbonfishes, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods—registered a decline from the previous year.
The drop in national figures was largely driven by lower catches along the west coast. Cyclonic storms and extended heatwaves disrupted fishing in key zones like Kerala, Goa, Karnataka and Daman & Diu.
In contrast, the east coast showed an upward trend in many states, with Maharashtra recording a sharp 47% increase in landings. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha also reported growth of 35%, 20% and 18% respectively.
CMFRI linked the drop in overall landings to multiple cyclonic events including Dana, Fengal, Remal and Asna, which affected fishing schedules, safety and seasonal productivity. The institute also flagged the rise in heatwave days in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as a factor affecting traditional fishing patterns.
CMFRI’s estimates are based on an extensive dataset covering around 2.5 lakh fishing trips. Mechanised boats, which account for the bulk of marine catch, reported an average haul of 2,959 kg per trip.
Motorised craft recorded 174 kg per trip, while non-motorised boats landed just 41 kg per outing, highlighting the productivity gap across vessel types.
Kerala’s overall landings may have dropped 4%, but the picture was uneven across districts. Southern regions from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam recorded lower landings, while districts in the north such as Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod showed an increase.
The most landed species in the state was Indian oil sardine, clocking 1.49 lakh tonnes—a 7.6% rise from 2023. Indian mackerel came next with 61,490 tonnes but registered a notable 16% decline. Penaeid shrimp (44,630 t), anchovies (44,440 t), and threadfin breams (33,890 t) were the other top contributors.
The supply inconsistency was most visible in the case of oil sardine. A steep shortage in the first quarter of 2024 had sent retail prices soaring to ₹350–400 per kg. But by the final quarter, landings surged past one lakh tonnes, and prices plummeted to ₹20–30 per kg.
The dramatic price swing posed challenges for both fishers and sellers, especially those without storage or transport infrastructure to adapt to the shift.