A review on cephalopod resources, biology and stock assessment in Indian seas

Abstract

Cephalopods are fished from the seas around India from very early times and at present contribute one of the most important exploited marine fishery resources oj the country (between 4 and 5% of the all India production). The production, which remained at very low level up to the early seventies, has shown a remarkable increase crossing the 1,00,000 tonne mark in 1994. The taxonomy, biology and stock assessment of the various exploited species have been studied since the early seventies by the CMFRI. Studies indicate that uplo 1994 tlie exploitation has remained within rational limits in almost all maritime states. The recent rapid increase in production warrants close monitoring of this short-lived resource from the viewpoint of Judicious management.