Tamil Nadu has a coastal length of 1,068.69 km (13% of the country's coastal length) 1.9 lakh sq.km of EEZ (9.4% of the India's EEZ) and a continental shelf of about 41,412 sq.km and is one of the leading state in marine fish production. The marine fish production of the state is 5.97 lakh tons during 2022-23.
The coastline of Tamil Nadu is generally divided into four Regions, i.e. Coromandel Coast, Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar and the West Coast.
| Coromandal Coast | Chennai to Point Calimere | 357.2 Km. |
| Palk Bay | Point Calimere to Pamban | 293.9 Km |
| Gulf of Mannar | Pamban to Kanniyakumari | 364.9 Km. |
| West Coast in Arabian Sea | Kanniyakumari to Neerodi | 60.0 Km. |
To suit the local sea conditions, fishing activities are carried out using various types of motorized and non-motorized fishing boats such as traditional catamaran, Fibre Reinforced Plastic country crafts, Trawlers, Gill Netters, Deep-sea fishing boats, etc.
Protection of traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Search, Rescue and Rehabilitation measures during natural calamities and disasters.
Ensuring fishermen safety at sea.
Enforcement of fisheries Acts and Rules.
Implementing various social security welfare schemes for fisherfolk.
Development of infrastructure facilities such as Fishing Harbours, Fish Landing Centres and Fish Farms.
Conservation and management of marine fishery resources
Introduction of advanced technologies to increase fish production in the state.
Special focus on alternative livelihood of fishermen and fisherwomen.
Capacity building and skill development for fish farmers and fisherfolk.
Outreach and extension activities for fishers.
Promotion and management of fisheries Co-operatives Societies.
Implementation of welfare schemes to the fisherfolk by providing tax exempted diesel and subsidized kerosene.
The State has marine fisherfolk population of 10.48 lakh from 608 marine fishing villages scattered along the 14 coastal districts. The State has an efficient fishing fleet comprise of 5,071 mechanized fishing boats, 35,576 Motorised Traditional Fishing crafts and 2,821 Non Motorised Traditional Fishing crafts. The per capita consumption of fish of the State during the year 2023-24 was 11.47 Kg. The shore infrastructure facilities include 10 major fishing harbours, 4 medium fishing harbours, 83 fish landing centres and 224 fish landing points. The State exported 1.34 lakh MT of marine products and earned foreign exchange of Rs.6,854.22 crore during 2023-24.
