Constituting about 6.3% of the global fish production, the sector contributes to 1.1% of the GDP and 5.15% of the agricultural GDP. There are two branches of fishery sector namely Inland Fisheries and Marine Fisheries. The total fish production has nearly 65% contribution from the inland sector and rest form marine fishing. Fish and fish products accounts for around 10% of the total exports of the country and nearly 20% of the agricultural exports.
One of the most significant characteristics of Indian fisheries sector is its small-scale nature. Besides being a source of protein rich nutritious food, income and livelihood to poor fishers, the fisheries sector is important for engaging the rural population in a number of ancillary activities- i.e. marketing, retailing, transportation, etc.