New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS): Buoyed by the introduction of an exotic shrimp variety, the volume of fish and fish product exports grew more than three-fold in the five-year period between 2009-10 and 2013-14.

“During 2013-14 the volume of fish and fish products exported was 9,83,756 tonnes worth Rs.30,213.26 crore as compared to 2009-10 (6,78,436 tonnes; Rs.10,048.53 crore),” an official release said here Wednesday.

“This was due to L. Vannamei (also known as whiteleg shrimp), an exotic shrimp variety, introduced in 2009 which accounted for nearly Rs.20,000 crore of export, in 2013-14,” it added.

The shrimp variety was introduced as per the guidelines framed for coastal aquaculture by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.

Union Minister of Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh released the ‘Handbook on Fisheries Statistics-2014’ - 12th edition - published by the department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries Wednesday.

India is currently the second largest producer of fish. It is also world No.2 in aquaculture production as well as in inland capture fisheries

The total fish production during 2013-14 (provisional) is registered at 9.58 million tonnes, with a contribution of 6.14 million tonnes from inland sector and 3.44 million tonnes from marine sector.

The average growth in fish production during 2013-14 stands at 5.9 percent, which has been mainly due to 7.3 percent growth in inland aquaculture and the remaining 3.7 percent growth from marine sectors.

The fisheries sector is a source of livelihood for over 14.49 million people engaged fully, partially or in subsidiary activities related to the sector. Besides, an equal population is engaged in ancillary activities in fisheries and aquaculture.