In India, the distinction between capture fishing, mariculture, and aquaculture is crucial for understanding the diverse seafood production systems. Capture fishing involves harvesting wild fish from natural water bodies like the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, which is common in coastal states such as Kerala and Gujarat. This method relies on traditional techniques and provides fresh catch like Indian mackerel and pomfret, but it faces challenges like overfishing.
Mariculture, a subset of aquaculture, focuses on cultivating marine organisms in controlled sea environments. In India, this includes farming shrimp, seaweed, and pearls in coastal areas, supporting exports and local markets. Aquaculture broadly covers the breeding of freshwater and marine species in ponds or tanks, with Indian examples being carp farming in states like West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. These practices enhance food security and livelihoods, aligning with India\“s push for sustainable blue economy initiatives. |
