Growth and Instability of Inland Fish Production in Gujarat------ Spatio-Temporal Analysis

Gujarat is well known to be heterogeneous with respect to inland water resources. This Study examines the growth and instability of inland fish production in Gujarat. The data on districtwise and species wise inland fish production in Gujarat state were collected and compiled for the period from 1974-75 to 1997-98 and 1984-85 to 1997-98 respectively. Period wise compound growth rates were computed. Similarly instability indices were measured by letting an exponential time trend.

The results revealed that the inland fish production increased significantly in almost all the districts of the state during 1990-98. There existed relatively higher instability in iniond }ish production in different districts of Saurashtra, Bharuch and Surat districts of South Gujarat account for more than 50 percent of the total iniandfish production in the state. The share of all the six districts of Saurashtra together increased substantially over a period of time. Relatively higher growth rates of production were observed for the species viz., Mrigal, Prawns, Rohu, Minor Carp, Eel, etc. Extension efforts need to be strengthened through different media on the nutrious and health promoting qualities of fish so that the inland water resources in the study area are utilized to the fullest extent for fish production.