An introduction to demersal finfish resources

Abstract

An estimated 250 species of demersals form regular fisheries of van.\ing magnitude in Indian coastal bottom, with greater diversity in the east coast compared to the west coast and occupy all types of habitats. They are exploited by a variety of traditional and mechanised craft and gear. Their production has reached 7 lakh tonnes in 1994, comprising of sciaenids (24 %), pink perch (12%), silverbellies (9%), elasmobranchs (9%), large perches (8%), flatfishes (7%), catfishes and powfrets (6% each), and lizard Jishes (5%). The paper overviews the demersal fisheries research in India since the inception ofCMFRI.