Fisheries – Andhra Pradesh Marine Catch Falls Sharply Amid Weather Challenges

Fisheries –  Marine fish production along the Andhra Pradesh coast witnessed a noticeable drop in 2025, reflecting growing strain on the fisheries sector. Official data indicates that total landings declined to 1.52 lakh tonnes, marking a fall of 13 percent compared to the previous year and nearly 20 percent lower than 2023 figures. The downturn highlights ongoing environmental and operational challenges faced by fishing communities.

Weather Events Disrupt Fishing Operations

Adverse weather played a major role in reducing fishing activity during the year. Two significant cyclonic events, occurring in close succession along the eastern coastline, disrupted regular marine operations. Late October saw widespread impact due to a severe storm system, followed shortly by another cyclone that further restricted fishing days at sea. These interruptions affected not only Andhra Pradesh but also neighboring coastal regions, leading to reduced output across multiple states and island territories.

Decline Reflected Across Coastal Regions

The impact was not limited to one area. Several coastal zones reported declines in marine catch volumes. Odisha recorded a drop of 15 percent, while Andhra Pradesh saw a 13 percent decrease. Puducherry experienced a smaller reduction of 3 percent, whereas the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported a sharper fall of 26 percent. These figures suggest a broader regional trend linked to climatic disturbances.

Changes in Marine Biodiversity

The diversity of marine species recorded in Andhra Pradesh also showed a decline. The number of identified species dropped to 371 in 2025 from 404 in the previous year. This fluctuation points to possible shifts in marine ecosystems, which could be influenced by environmental changes, fishing pressure, or seasonal variations.

Mixed Trends Among Key Fish Species

While overall landings decreased, trends among individual species varied. Lesser sardine showed a strong increase, with catches rising significantly compared to the previous year. Similarly, penaeid shrimp recorded a moderate improvement. However, not all species followed this pattern. Indian mackerel experienced a steep fall in landings, dropping sharply from its previous year’s levels. Croaker registered a slight increase, while ribbonfish showed a marginal decline.

Mechanised Boats Continue to Dominate

Fishing operations remained largely dependent on mechanised vessels, which accounted for around 60 percent of the total catch. Motorised boats contributed 36 percent, while non-motorised boats made up a smaller share of 4 percent. Interestingly, catch levels from mechanised trawl nets increased slightly, whereas motorised boats saw a notable decline in output. In contrast, non-motorised boats recorded a significant rise, indicating a shift in smaller-scale fishing contributions.

Regional Contribution and Catch Composition

Among districts, Kakinada led in total fish landings despite experiencing a decline compared to earlier figures. Visakhapatnam followed as the second-largest contributor. In terms of species composition, pelagic fish formed the majority share of the catch, followed by demersal species. Crustaceans and molluscs accounted for smaller portions of the overall landings.

Seasonal Patterns in Fish Landings

Fishing activity displayed clear seasonal variations throughout the year. The highest volumes were recorded during two key periods: January to March and July to September, each contributing nearly one-third of the annual catch. The October to December period accounted for just over a quarter, while the April to June quarter saw the lowest activity levels. These trends align with weather conditions and fishing cycles along the coast.

The continued decline in marine fish production raises concerns about sustainability and resilience in the fisheries sector. With climate-related disruptions becoming more frequent, stakeholders may need to focus on adaptive strategies to support both marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.