KERALA is bordered by a range of mountains viz. the Western Ghats on the eastern side and the Arabian Sea on the western side. The total land area of the state is estimated as 38863 sq.kms. The coastal line of the Arabian Sea sprawling on the western part of the state is 590 kms in length. The inshore sea area falling within the territorial limit of the State (22km) is about 13,000 sq.kms. The continental shelf area of the sea adjoining the Kerala State is 39139 sq.kms. This part of the sea is considered as the most productive portion of the Arabian Sea. The estimated marine Fishery potential of the state is 5.17 lakh tonnes. Fisheries contributes about 3 percent to the economy of the state. The current level of annual Marine Fish Production is to the tune of about 6 lakh tonnes/year.