India’s marine catch rises 3%, mackerel leads haul

Kochi: India's marine fish production grew 3% to 35.7 lakh tonnes in 2025, according to the latest report by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Releasing the report, CMFRI director Grinson George said the growth was largely driven by favourable environmental conditions. Tamil Nadu climbed to first position with a production of 6.85 lakh tonnes, registering 1% growth and displacing Gujarat, which declined 15%. Kerala held third place with 6.24 lakh tonnes, a marginal 2% increase, contributing 17% of the national total. Among major states, Karnataka recorded the most impressive turnaround, a 44% surge in 2025 after a steep decline in 2024. Maharashtra also posted strong growth at 18%. Karnataka's performance largely drove the southwest coast past the northwest region in total landings. Indian mackerel remained the most landed species at 2.70 lakh tonnes, followed by cephalopods (a group that includes squid and cuttlefish) at 2.57 lakh tonnes and oil sardine at 2.53 lakh tonnes. Pelagic resources—fish living near the sea surface—dominated the harvest with a 54% share, followed by demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish, crustaceans, and molluscan resources. The mechanised fishing sector registered an 11% increase in landings in 2025, while the motorised and non-motorised sectors declined by 22% and 6%, respectively. The overall growth signals a structural shift toward mechanised fishing operations. The total economic value of marine fish landings at landing centres reached an estimated Rs 69,254 crore in 2025, a 10.45% increase over the previous year. Retail values rose by 8.43% over the same period.Oil sardine tops Kerala's catch: In Kerala, the value of marine fish landings was estimated at Rs 12,665 crore at landing centres and Rs 16,681 crore at the retail level. "Heavy rain and a cargo shipwreck led to the loss of fishing days in May and June in the southern districts of the state, affecting operations," the report said. Oil sardine was the state's top-landed species at 1.68 lakh tonnes, up from 1.49 lakh tonnes in 2024. Growth was also driven by a decadal high catch of threadfin breams. District-wise, Ernakulam led with a 29% share of the state's landings, followed by Kollam (25%) and Kozhikode (18%).