Q147
Geography (incl. West Bengal)Agriculture & Livestock
Which of the following is the most important source of fish catch in India?
- a.Inland natural fisheries
- b.Deep sea fisheries
- c.Continental shelf
- d.Off shore fisheries
Answer: (C) Continental shelf
Answer as of 2022 — this may have changed since.
Most of India's marine fish catch comes from the continental shelf, the shallow sea floor up to about 200 m deep, where sunlight and nutrients support abundant plankton and fish. Inland fish production as a whole has grown larger than the marine catch, but most of it comes from aquaculture in ponds and tanks rather than from natural inland waters, so (A) is only the tempting option. Deep-sea fishing remains limited because it needs large vessels and investment. Andhra Pradesh is the largest fish-producing state, mainly through inland aquaculture.