About ICAR-CMFRI
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute was established by Government of India on February 3rd 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and later it joined the ICAR family in 1967. During the course of over 75 years the Institute has emerged as a leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world. Since its inception, the CMFRI grew significantly in its size and stature and built up adequate research infrastructure and recruited qualified staff. During the first half of the five decades of its existence, the CMFRI devoted its research attention towards the estimation of marine fisheries landings and effort, taxonomy of marine organisms and the bio-economic characteristics of the exploited stocks of finfish and shellfish. This research effort contributed significantly to India’s marine fisheries development from a predominantly artisanal, sustenance fishery till the early sixties to that of a complex, multi-gear, multispecies fisheries. One of the major achievements of CMFRI is the development and refinement of a unique method for estimation of fishery catch and effort from the over 8000 km coastline called the "Stratified Multistage Random Sampling Method”.
Areas of Research
Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics & Extension
The Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics & Extension Division is dedicated to comprehending and overseeing the marine fisheries of India for its sustainable development. A primary research focus within the division involves establishing a Geo- referenced Marine Fisheries Resources Information System for the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This utilizes Enhanced Survey Protocols and Methodological Platforms for Stock Assessment, Forecasting, and Ecosystem Modeling. Furthermore, the division evaluates Marine Fisheries Ecosystems, considering socio-economic factors, resource use efficiency, distribution, and consumption demand, with a policy outlook. The overarching goal is to ensure Sustainable Fisheries Stewardship through Behavioral Analysis and Dynamic Capacity Building, with a specific emphasis on Gender Inclusivity and Livelihood...
Finfish Fisheries
The thrust area of research in Finfish Fisheries Division (FFD) primarily focuses on assessing exploited marine finfish stocks of India using suitable models integrated with ageing techniques to formulate sustainable fishery management plans and policy advisories. Additionally, the division aims to forecast the fishery of finfish resources affected by various factors, including climate change, and maintain a spatio-temporal database on the life-histories of exploited marine finfish resources and their habitats. Human resource development through training, education, and extension activities on marine finfish resources and their fisheries is also emphasized areas of the division.Ongoing and completed research projects have resulted in significant achievements, including the development of databases on resource composition and biology of prioritized...
Shellfish Fisheries
The Shellfish Fisheries Division is dedicated to understanding and managing shellfish resources for sustainable development along the Indian coast. The Division’s research encompasses various aspects, including the assessment of fishery and resource characteristics of Penaeid and non-Penaeid shrimps, lobsters, and crabs across different maritime states. Additionally, the Division conducts stock assessments of major exploited crustacean resources, evaluates bycatch and discards from trawlers, studies recruitment dynamics of Penaeid shrimps, and maps the distribution and abundance of shellfish using GIS-based resources mapping. Furthermore, the Division evaluates molluscan fisheries, conducts studies on the biology of major commercial molluscan resources, and develops mariculture technologies for molluscs. Notable achievements include...
