Increasing population.
Failing agriculture (failure to meet protein demand, low return of energy invested).
Failing fishery (limited sea resources, overfishing, high energy for wild catch).
Consumer demand for consistent supply of quality fish at the right price.
Fish play a major role in protein supply.

Total coastline: 1,730 km$^2$
EEZ cover: 500,000 km$^2$
Continental shelf: 30,000 km$^2$
Inland waters: 2,900 km$^2$ (Lakes, Rivers, Streams, Ponds, Canals, Dams, other land-locked waters)
Fisheries sector provides direct/indirect employment for $\sim$583,000 people and livelihoods for 2.7 million coastal communities.
Provides $>60\%$ of animal protein requirement for the country.

Approximately 28,000 fishing crafts operated.
$87\%$ operated in coastal waters.
Traditional non-motorized crafts ($55\%$): Outrigger canoes, Wooden dugouts (Orus), Log rafts (Wallam, Theppam, Kattumarans).
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats ($32\%$): 18 feet with outboard engine, some 28-32 feet with inboard engine.

Inshore areas (up to 5 km):
- Small Pelagics: Sardinella, Herrings, Anchovies.
- Small Demersals: Ponyfish (Karalla), Snappers.
Beyond inshore areas:
- Medium-size Pelagics: Flying fish, Needlefish, some tuna.
- Large Demersals: Groupers, Snappers, Breams.
- Non-finfish: Lobsters, crabs, shrimps, sea cucumbers.