Kerala, God’s own country blessed with 590 km of rich coastline, 44 rivers and innumerable numbers of waterbodies plays an important role in ecological diversity sustenance and livelihood. Many species of fish, invertebrates, plants, algae and other aquatic living organisms occupy a wide variety of habitats along the vast coastline and associated waters. The aquatic biodiversity and fish wealth of Kerala sustain more than 10 lakh fisherfolk and supports numerous additional activities including commercial fishing, aquaculture, tourism, education, recreation etc. The growing population, diverse culture, and expanding economy will continue to place additional demands on the state’s marine resources, and make management of these resources increasingly complex.
Kerala fisheries sector contributes around 1.58% to the total GDP and the export of marine products has set ever time record of Rs 5919.02 Crores during the year 2017-18. Currently, there are 222 fishing villages in the marine and 113 fishery villages in the inland sector, where fishing and relative aspects provide livelihood to a vast majority of the population. The extent of inland water resources of Kerala is highly potential for expanding aquaculture.
The Department of Fisheries through the following agencies serves this sector.
- Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries development Ltd (Matsyafed),
- Agency for Development of Aquaculture, Kerala (ADAK),
- Kerala Fishermen’s Welfare Fund (KFWEB),
- State Fisheries Resource Management Society (FIRMA),
- Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA),
- Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation(KSCADC),
- National Institute of Fisheries Administration and Management (NIFAM),
- Society for Assistance to fisherwomen (SAF)
- Kerala Aquaventures international limited (KAVIL)
