Traditional fishing –

At present, the marine fish harvest mostly centers around coastal waters upto 100 m depth and about 90 % of the catch comes from upto 50 m depth.  The fishing pressure in the near shore has gone up considerably during the recent years and most of the species are over exploited. To protect and conserve the fishery resources, the Government has taken several measures and has declared fishing ban period for a period 61 days in both East and West coast of India every year.

Recognizing the important contributions of artisanal and small- scale fisheries to employment, income and food security, States should appropriately protect the rights of fishers and fish workers, particularly those engaged in subsistence, small-scale and artisanal fisheries, to a secure and just livelihood, as well as preferential access, where appropriate, to traditional fishing grounds and resources in the waters under their national jurisdiction.

Commercial fishing is the activity of catching fish and other seafood for commercial profit, mostly from wild fisheries. It provides a large quantity of food to many countries around the earth, but those who practice it as an industry must often pursue fish far into the ocean under adverse conditions. Large-scale commercial fishing is also known as industrial fishing.