Prawn fisheries Large trawler of theNortheast coast

Soon after independence the country realized the need to modernize the fishing industry to meet the protein demand of the country as well as to enter the export market. Due importance was given in the Five year plans to attain this. Government of India through the five year plans has been providing outlays for fisheries infrastructure. The allocation of Rs. 51.3 lakhs during the first Five Year Plan was substantially increased to Rs. 40 crores during VIII Five Year Plan and to Rs. 4,013 crores in the XI Five Year Plan period. In addition to that states were also allotted funds to take care of their specific needs. The initial attempts were on the introduction of synthetic material for nets and mechanization of the indigenous crafts. India also wanted to tap the barely utilized deepsea resources. It was attempted in three different directions, viz. import of deep-sea fishing vessels, chartering of fishing vessels and adopting joint ventures with other countries.