An attempt has been made to evaluate the economics and marketing of dry fish production in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, India. The information on various aspects of the dry fish enterprise was collected through random sampling of 29 dry fish producers in a pre-structured interview schedule. The results indicates that 50 % of the total dry fish produced (in terms of quantity) was contributed by sardines and anchovies however, the seer fishes fetched a premium market price of ₹550 kg -1 followed by carangids (₹125 kg-1), and belonids (₹115 kg-1). The dry fish production found to be a profitable business with an Internal Rate of Returns (IRR) value of 75 % and Simple Rate of Returns (SRR) value of 43.48% respectively with a net profit margin of ₹ 2258.83 week-1 was possible. The study also suggests that the dry fishes reached the consumers by way of three marketing channel viz., the channel 1 (producer to consumer) was found the most efficient marketing channel over the channel 2 (producer, middleman and consumer) and channel 3 (producer, wholesaler, middleman and consumer). The cost of raw materials, transportation, packaging, and market margin were the key factors that influences and decides the income of the dry fish producers and all the factors exhibits a statistical significance at 0.05 level.

Karnataka is a prominent maritime state in the southwest coast contributing 10.7% of the marine fish landings in India. Total factor productivity of marine fish production in Karnataka State for the period 2000 to 2010 was analysed using Divisia-Tornqvist indexing method. Quantities and revenue shares of 18 marine fish resource groups were taken for developing the output index and quantities and cost shares of fuel, labour and fixed capital were taken for developing the input index. Most of the marine fish resources including oilsardine, catfishes, lizard fishes, mackerel and cephalopods showed positive growth in landings during the study period. The output index, input index and total factor productivity growth were 6.2, 2.9 and 3.2 respectively and 51.69% of the output index growth was contributed by total factor productivity growth. This indicated the economic sustainability of marine fish production in the state in the short run period. The management mechanism existing in the state might have contributed to the sustainability of production system in the state.

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This paper presents a set of alternative strategies and options for enhancing the incomes of India's coastal fisher folk. Several options such as sustainable exploitation of deep sea and non-conventional resources, improving the efficiency of fishing through modernization/technological up-gradation of fishing fleet/ gears, harnessing the potential of space and information communication technologies (ICT), intensification of mariculture, and strengthening fish value chains are discussed. The paper underlines that a thriving coastal fishery economy is necessary to meet the future demand for fish and fishery products in the country.

The techno-economic and financial performance of mechanised purse seiners and trawlers operating in Karwar Fishing Harbour was compared using various indicators. The average diesel consumption per trip was 179 l for purse seiners and 79 l for trawlers. The average operating cost and gross revenue per trip were `21,818 and `44,383 respectively for purse seiners and `4,803 and `6,571 respectively for trawlers. Oilsardines and mackerels contributed more than 85% of the catch of purse seiners whereas shrimps and flatfishes contributed nearly 50% of the catch of trawlers. Capital productivity was higher (operating ratio -0.49) for purse seiners than trawlers (operating ratio -0.73). The economic and financial performance indicators like net benefit-earnings ratio (0.43), benefit-cost (BC) ratio (1.75) and internal rate of return, IRR (117%) were higher for purse seiners which suggested that the investment on purse seiners is a more viable undertaking when compared to trawlers in the location.