With a coastline of 1,600 km, Gujarat is also a powerhouse in the fisheries sector, contributing 17 per cent to India’s total fish exports. In 2020-21, the state’s fish production touched 8.74 lakh tonnes, officials said.
From fishing operations to processing, the sector also plays a crucial role in generating employment, said industry insiders and government officials.
“The central and the state governments have come up with a new gas machine for small fishermen which is benefiting them in many ways,” said Jitu Kahada, leader of the fishermen community in the state.