The maritime state of Tamil Nadu is blessed with 1,076 km long coast line and 41,412 km2 continental shelf area with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.9 lakh sq. km, contributing 5.209 lakh tons of marine fish production. This supports the livelihood of 10.48 lakh marine fishers through 5,803 mechanised and 41,337 traditional fishing crafts which are actively engaged in fishing. Tamil Nadu possess 3.83 lakh ha. of effective inland water resources comprising reservoirs, major irrigation tanks, minor irrigation tanks, short seasonal tanks, ponds, rivers, backwaters and derelict water bodies. The inland fisher population is 2.35 lakh (2018-2019). An estimated brackishwater area of 56,000 ha. is under capture fisheries and an area of 6115.68 ha. is under coastal aquaculture production, mainly shrimp aquaculture.

Tamil Nadu is enriched with Marine, Brackishwater and Inland fishery resources amenable for capture and culture fisheries. Substantial focus is being given on the economic and social dimensions of fishery resources by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Indian Fisheries Act, 1897 enacted by the then Madras Presidency paved the way for the formulation of fisheries legislations across India. The Fisheries sector plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the country by providing livelihood to large number of fishers, generating employment opportunities in allied sectors and ensuring nutritional security.

The total fish production of the country in 2017-2018 was 12.59 million metric tonnes. India is the second largest producer of fish in the world and occupies the second position in inland fish production. The fisheries sector contributes 1% of the GDP of the country. Tamil Nadu ranks 4th in total fish production of the country. Tamil Nadu exported 1,28,845 MT of marine products and earned a foreign exchange of Rs.5591.49 crore during 2018-2019.

The per capita consumption of fish in Tamil Nadu is 9.83 Kg as against the recommended requirement of 11.60 kg. With the increase in demand for fish, there is a need for augmenting the overall fish production of the State substantially from all the available fishery resources. However, aquaculture is emerging as a prominent activity for enhancing fish production and income generation in rural areas. Integration of fish culture with agriculture has proved to be an option for augmenting the unit productivity from aquaculture systems. The Government is determined to enhance the inland fish production three-fold in the coming years.