Over 2,500 tonnes a day: What the numbers say about Kerala’s love for fish

Kerala dining tables see an average of 2,540.48 tonnes of fish served each day, according to the state Fisheries Department. Of this, 2,048 tonnes are sourced locally from coastal and inland waters, while 491.76 tonnes come from neighbouring states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Data from 2019-’20 and 2020-’21 showed a dip in fish supply due to restrictions on sea fishing during COVID-19. Since then, both inland and sea catches have steadily risen, with sea catch reaching record levels.

Despite this growth, the department warns that Kerala cannot achieve full self-sufficiency without increasing inland fish production.

Fish and other edible aquatic species production grew from 34,987 tonnes in 2020-’21 to 41,175 tonnes in the latest financial year. The Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation (KMFR) Act has played a key role in curbing unscientific fishing practices, including the capture of juvenile fish.

To support fish populations, artificial reefs have been installed along the coast. Under the Amrit Sarovar project, the state has started seeding local fish in public ponds, while over two crore fish and shrimp seeds have been introduced in other inland water bodies.