Abstract:

Fisheries and aquaculture sector has witnessed rapid development across the states of India and has paved way for income generation and livelihood for associated rural and urban communities. Maharashtra state ranks 7^th with around 5 % share in country’s fish production, is yet to explore its untapped potential completely. Marine fisheries had always a major share (currently 82 %) compared to inland fisheries (currently 18 %) for Maharashtra. The cyclic vulnerability of marine catch and growing demand of ever increasing human population provides scope for increasing share of inland fisheries in food basket. The systematic structuring of policies and rigid implementation of the regulations for sustainable utilization of the available fisheries resources needs attention for further growth in fisheries sector of the state.