Subsequently production suffered a set back due to a ban imposed by the Supreme Court of India in response to petition filed by environmentalists pleading that shrimp farming had created several environmental damages. Subsequently, in last three years many shrimp farms in coastal areas have been closed. Aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, is now regulated and controlled by the Aquaculture Authority of India. The fish canning industry has also decline recently, in part due to the high cost of metal cans. It is also a major contributor to foreign exchange earning.
Commercial production is mostly export oriented.
Most major stocks are fully exploited and further increase has to come from exploitation of deep-sea resources. Aquaculture is the principal factor in this development. All future additional demand for fish will have to be met from aquaculture. These objectives will be achieved through an integrated approach to marine and inland fisheries and aquaculture, taking into account the need for responsible and sustainable fisheries. Conservation of aquatic resources and genetic bio-diversity is another thrust area for the next millennium.