Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing (ISC Class 12 Geography)
Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked
Marine fisheries work the seas up to India's Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles); inland fisheries use rivers, reservoirs, lakes, ponds and backwaters, both capture and aquaculture. Inshore fishing is close to the coast in small boats; deep-sea fishing uses mechanised trawlers far out. Pelagic fish live near the surface in shoals; demersal fish live at or near the sea bed.
Understand Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing
1. Marine fisheries. Fishing in the seas and oceans along the coast, on the continental shelf and in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast; India's EEZ is about 2 million sq km.
- *West coast*: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala. The continental shelf is wider and the Arabian Sea richer; the west coast traditionally gives the larger share of the marine catch.
- *East coast*: West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
- *Islands*: Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep (tuna).
- *Main fish*: oil sardine, mackerel, Bombay duck, pomfret, tuna, seer fish, ribbonfish; prawns and lobsters.
2. Inland fisheries. Fishing in fresh and brackish water: rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes, ponds and tanks, floodplain wetlands (beels), estuaries, backwaters (kayals) and lagoons (Chilika, Pulicat). *Capture fisheries* catch wild fish; *culture fisheries* (aquaculture) rear fish and prawns in ponds. Main fish: rohu, catla and mrigal (Indian major carps), hilsa, catfish; freshwater and tiger prawns. Leading regions: Andhra Pradesh (aquaculture around the Godavari-Krishna deltas and Kolleru lake), West Bengal, Odisha and Assam. Today inland fisheries, especially aquaculture, produce more fish than marine fisheries.
3. Inshore fishing. In shallow waters close to the coast, usually within about 10-20 km, with small boats such as catamarans, canoes and small mechanised boats, often for a day at a time. Most of India's marine catch comes from inshore waters; it is labour-intensive and small-scale.
4. Deep-sea fishing. Far from the coast in deeper waters of the continental shelf and the EEZ, using large mechanised trawlers and vessels with refrigeration that stay at sea for days or weeks. It needs heavy capital and technology; India's deep-sea resources, such as tuna, are still under-exploited.
5. Pelagic fishing. Catching fish that live near the surface or in the upper and middle layers, often in large shoals: sardine, mackerel, anchovy, tuna, Bombay duck, seer fish. Gear: drift nets, gill nets, purse seines, ring seines.
6. Demersal fishing. Catching fish and shellfish that live at or near the sea bed: catfish, croakers, soles, perches, prawns, lobsters. Gear: bottom trawls, line and hook.
Pelagic fish form the larger part of India's marine catch (oil sardine and mackerel of the west coast are the classic examples).
7. Three distinctions at a glance
| Pair | First | Second |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Marine: seas up to the EEZ | Inland: rivers, lakes, ponds, backwaters |
| Distance | Inshore: within about 10-20 km, small boats | Deep-sea: far out, mechanised trawlers |
| Habitat | Pelagic: surface and mid-water shoals | Demersal: sea bed |
8. A catch sum (imaginary). A district's catch is 9,000 tonnes: 5,400 tonnes pelagic, the rest demersal. Demersal = 9,000 - 5,400 = 3,600 tonnes. Pelagic share = 5,400 / 9,000 x 100 = 60%.
Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing: key facts
- Marine versus inland
Marine seas to EEZ 200 nautical miles Inland fresh and brackish water Inland capture and aquaculture - India's EEZ about 2 million sq km.
- Inshore versus deep-sea
- Inshore: near coast, small boats, day trips | Deep-sea: far out, trawlers, weeks at sea, heavy capital
- Most marine catch is inshore.
- Pelagic versus demersal
- Pelagic: surface and mid-water, shoals | Demersal: sea bed, shellfish and bottom fish
- Examples differ.
How to answer Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing questions
Use this routine for 'distinguish between' questions on fishing.
- 1Write the meaning of each term in one line.
- 2Add one example of fish and, where relevant, one area or gear.
- 3State the contrast on at least two bases such as place, boats, capital and examples.
- 4For maps or areas, name coasts and states.
Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Pelagic or demersal
Suppose a boat from Kerala uses ring seines to encircle a shoal of mackerel near the surface at dawn.
Name the type of fishing by habitat.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Mackerel live near the surface in shoals.
- Ring seines are gear for such shoals.
Answer: Pelagic fishing.
Memory hook: Pelagic: on top; demersal: down below.
Inshore
Imagine a family goes out in a catamaran for a few hours near the shore and returns the same morning with sardines.
Is this inshore or deep-sea fishing, and why?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Small boat, close to the coast, back the same day.
Answer: Inshore fishing: small-scale and near the coast.
Memory hook: Near shore, small boat.
Tricks to remember Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
Pelagic = Plenty on top
Pelagic fish swim in the upper layers; demersal fish stay down at the bottom.
Use it when: Pelagic versus demersal.
West = marine, Andhra = aquaculture
West coast marine, Andhra Pradesh inland aquaculture.
Use it when: Leading areas.
Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Identify the fishing · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Prawns and soles caught with bottom trawls are an example of:
(a) pelagic fishing (b) demersal fishing (c) inland fishing only (d) aquaculture only
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- They live at or near the sea bed and bottom trawls are the gear: demersal.
Answer: (b)
Example 2: Inshore and deep-sea · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
State two differences between inshore and deep-sea fishing.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Distance and boats: inshore is close to the coast in small boats; deep-sea is far out with large mechanised trawlers.
- Capital and duration: inshore is small-scale, usually day trips; deep-sea needs heavy capital and refrigerated vessels staying days or weeks.
Answer: Distance and boats; capital and duration.
Example 3: Catch composition · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
A district lands 9,000 tonnes, of which 5,400 tonnes is pelagic. Calculate the demersal catch and the percentage of pelagic catch, and name two pelagic fish of the west coast.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Demersal = 9,000 - 5,400 = 3,600 tonnes.
- Pelagic percentage = 5,400 / 9,000 x 100 = 60%.
- Pelagic fish of the west coast: oil sardine and mackerel.
Answer: Demersal 3,600 tonnes; pelagic 60%; oil sardine and mackerel.
Example 4: Marine and inland · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
A student writes that Andhra Pradesh leads in fish production only because of its sea catch. Correct him using the idea of marine versus inland fisheries, with examples of fish and places.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Andhra Pradesh leads mainly because of inland aquaculture of carps and shrimp in the Godavari-Krishna delta districts and Kolleru lake.
- Marine fisheries work the seas up to the EEZ and catch sardine, mackerel and pomfret mostly on the west coast.
- Inland fisheries, especially aquaculture, now produce more fish than marine fisheries.
- So his explanation ignores inland and brackish-water culture.
Answer: Inland aquaculture, not only sea catch, makes Andhra Pradesh a leader.
Example 5: Develop deep-sea fishing · 8 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Suppose a state wants to develop deep-sea tuna fishing, now done mainly by small boats near the coast. Explain what it needs, what the advantages would be, and two problems it may face.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Needs: large mechanised trawlers or long-liners with refrigeration, heavy capital and technology; fish-finding echo-sounders; harbours, cold storage and processing.
- Advantages: use of under-exploited deep-sea resources such as tuna; less pressure on over-fished inshore waters; export earnings.
- Problem 1: lack of capital and credit for poor fishermen.
- Problem 2: inadequate harbours, cold storage and transport, and rough seas in the monsoon.
- Support: government schemes, cooperatives and training for fishing communities.
Answer: Trawlers, capital and cold chains needed; relief for inshore waters; capital and infrastructure problems.
Where students lose marks in Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Giving the same examples for pelagic and demersal
The habitats differ.
Wrong working
Pelagic: sardine; demersal: sardine.
Right working
Pelagic: sardine, mackerel; demersal: soles, catfish, prawns.
Do this: Surface versus sea bed.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Mixing up the coasts
West coast marine catch is larger.
Wrong working
Kerala is on the east coast.
Right working
Kerala is on the west coast; Andhra Pradesh on the east.
Do this: Learn states by coast.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Writing only definitions in a 4-mark distinction
Contrasts on bases are needed.
Wrong working
Inshore is near the coast.
Right working
Inshore is near the coast in small boats; deep-sea is far out in trawlers needing heavy capital.
Do this: Two bases at least.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Exam tips
- Name fish and places in every distinction.
- Candidates often mix up the coasts of the states; learn the coast of each state.
- Use the table of three pairs for revision.
- Mention that inland aquaculture now produces more fish than marine fisheries.
Practice questions on Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level
How far does India's Exclusive Economic Zone extend?
Hint
Nautical miles.
Answer
Up to 200 nautical miles from the coast.
Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level
Name two Indian major carps reared in inland fisheries.
Hint
Rohu...
Answer
Rohu and catla (or mrigal).
Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Distinguish between capture and culture fisheries.
Hint
Wild or reared.
Answer
Capture fisheries catch wild fish from rivers, lakes or the sea; culture fisheries (aquaculture) rear fish and prawns in ponds with feed and seed from hatcheries.
Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
A trawler hauls 18 tonnes in a week, of which 11.7 tonnes is pelagic. Compute the demersal tonnes and percentages.
Hint
Subtract and divide.
Answer
Demersal = 18 - 11.7 = 6.3 tonnes. Pelagic = 11.7 / 18 x 100 = 65%; demersal = 6.3 / 18 x 100 = 35%.
Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
A coastal village has only small boats and complains that sardine catches near the shore are falling while tuna goes unharvested. Evaluate the village's position in terms of inshore and deep-sea fishing.
Hint
Over-fishing near the coast.
Answer
Inshore waters are heavily used and over-fished, especially by trawlers, so catches fall, while deep-sea resources such as tuna are under-exploited because they need heavy capital, large mechanised vessels and refrigeration. The village needs credit, larger boats or cooperatives, and training to shift some effort to deep-sea fishing.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.Name two pelagic fish.Show answer
Sardine and mackerel.
2.Name two demersal fish.Show answer
Soles and catfish (also prawns).
3.What is aquaculture?Show answer
Rearing fish and prawns in ponds, tanks or cages.
4.Which gear catches demersal fish?Show answer
Bottom trawls and line and hook.
Marine and Inland, Inshore and Deep-Sea, Pelagic and Demersal Fishing: frequently asked questions
Which is bigger now, marine or inland fish production?
Inland fisheries, especially aquaculture, produce more fish than marine fisheries, according to the chapter.
Why are deep-sea resources under-exploited?
They need heavy capital, large vessels and technology.
Where is tuna fishing important?
In the islands such as Lakshadweep, and in deep-sea waters.