Innovations and changes in fishing practices became inevitable in the competitive fishing scenario particularly of the limited and open access resources. In Kerala it is quite often triggered by increase in demand of fish, external capital and the consequent competition. The current scenario is that the different categories of players in the fish production system of the State are arming for grabbing the maximum, quite often leads to overfishing, juvenile fishing and ecosystem damage. Time line analysis on change in fishing practices of traditional sector before and after 80’s revealed that prior to motorization (before 80’s), the entire coast of Kerala was classified into three major craft zones based on fishing craft prevailed, such as catamaran zone (Kollamkode to Sakthikulnagara), plank built zone (Neendakara to Thrissur) and dugout canoe zone (Malappuram to Kasargod).
