Plans are afoot to increase the production of inland fish in the State to three lakh tonnes a year.

Presently, of the total 5.97 lakh tonnes of fish production in Tamil Nadu, inland fish production is only 1.72 lakh tonnes and marine fisheries is 4.25 lakh tonnes. To make available more fish seeds and advanced fingerlings from 7 cm to 10 cm stage, the capacity of fish hatcheries and fish-rearing centres across the State is being enhanced and additional infrastructure created. Catla, Rohu, Mrigal varieties of Indian major carp (kendai meen) and common carp are bred and reared at these centres.

Overfishing and exploitation of marine biodiversity would result in the disappearance of fish species in the next 50 years, warned M.F. Farooqui, Special Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, on Tuesday.

Addressing a function organised in connection with the International Day for Biological Diversity, Mr. Farooqui said beyond the exclusive economic zone, everyone seemed to be exploiting the marine biodiversity and nobody was taking responsibility for conservation.

700 mechanised boats anchored in Rameswaram. The 45-day annual ban on deep sea fishing began on Sunday.

The ban will be applicable to the fishermen from Kanyakumari to Chennai along the east coast and it is being implemented for undisturbed breeding . During the period the fisheries authorities will also undertake a few steps to increase the marine wealth.

Kerala, with its coastline of nearly 600 km, contributes about 20 per cent to the country's marine fish landings with nearly a quarter of the State's exports being accounted for by the marine sector.

Fishing provides a means of livelihood directly to more than a quarter of a million people in Kerala and more than half-a-million people live on allied activities like fish vending.