Thanjavur is one of the 13 Maritime District of Tamil Nadu engaged in Marine Fishing and its fish production is about 5% of the total catch of the state. The State has a total coastal line running to 1076 Kms embedded with 442 fishermen villages of which Thanjavur District occupies 45.1 Kms stretch in Palk strait. With 27 Fishing villages in the District from Thambikkottai in Pattukkottai Taluk in the North and Sembagamadevi Pattinam in Peravurani Taluk in the South.

The following statement shows the fishermen population details of the District.

Out of 4899 Families, 490 Families are living in Terraced houses, 874 Families are living in Tiled houses, 736 Families are living in Fishermen free houses and remaining 2799 families are living in Thatched houses (As per the Marine Fisher Folk census 2000)

The census data further reveals there are 370 mechanised boats which are operated from Kallivayalthottam, Mallippattinam and Sethubavachathram fishing villages. There is a “ T “ Jetty in Mallippattinam coastal village constructed in 1980 facilitate the easy landing of the catches of Mechanised Boats. 2500 fishermen were involved in mechanised fishing operations. In addition to the mechanised boats, 924 Plank Built Boats and 107 Cattumarams are also operated from the coastal villages and provide employment opportunity for more than 3000 fisherman of this district.
There are 23 Fishermen C0-operative Societies and Nine Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies are functioning in Thanjavur District.
All the Assistances given by Government to the Fisher Folk is extended through these societies for upliftment of Socio-Economic status of the Fishermen Community

Government Welfare Schemes to the Marine Fishermen
1. 1996-97 onwards under Ma. Singaravelar memorial Fishermen free housing scheme, 718 concrete roofed houses constructed and handed over to houseless poors of Fisher folk.
2. Link Roads to the Fishermen villages from Main Roads facilitate the fast and easy transport of the fish catches to the Nearest Market and the fishermen get good prices for their catch.
Providing street light to Fishermen villages

3. In 24 Fishermen villages in Thanjavur district, 209 street lights and 10 sodium vapour light in 5 villages have been provided by the Fisheries Department. In addition to the lights provided by local body. 4. Guide Lights had been provided in the Fishermen Villages to locate their shore during Night times. Fishermen Saving Cum Relief Scheme

5. During rainy season (Sep,Oct, Nov., & Dec., ) due to unfavourable conditions the fishermen can not venture into the sea and they are suffering without earnings. To minimise their sufferings and to create saving habit among fishermen. The saving cum Relief scheme was introduced. The subscription collected at the rate of Rs.45/- for eight months (January to August) ( 45 x 8 = 360) from each fishermen. In addition to the fishermen share central and state Government shares are added and distributed to the fishermen during lean season.
Insurance Schemes:

6. All the members of the fishermen co-operative societies are covered under insurance scheme and the premium amount were paid by both central and State Government equally. In addition to the above scheme another one scheme Group Janatha personal accident insurance scheme in which the premium amount paid by the fishermen themselves also implemented for more financial assistance during when the fishermen met with an accident or in the case of Death.

7. In addition to the above schemes so many other schemes are also implemented such as subsidy for purchase of in board & outboard motors, Fishing gears and crafts. During rainy season weather warning reports are received from met centre, Chennai, are informed to Fishermen villages.

8. Through fisher women co-operative societies Aluminium vessels, ice boxes and baskets were given in subsidised cost to improve their fish marketing business. Training was given to them in marketing, processing and net making.

9. Through Tamil Nadu states fisheries Apex co-operative Federation (TAFCOFED) Integrated Marine fisheries development programme were also implemented in selected villages.
Inland Fisheries

Thanjavur district is also richest in inland fishing due to the presence of Cauvery river system. The irrigation channels, canals Major and Minor tanks are richest in high varieties. The inland fishing consists mostly of local carps, Major carps and other varieties such as cat fish, Murrells, Tilapia etc.,

About 5,000 inland fishermen are engaged in fishing and the production of fish form inland water sources. Seeds of Catla, Rohu, Mirgal and Common Carp, early fry also produced at Fisheries Department. Fish seed production centre Silver Carp, and grass carps early fry were brought from West Bengal and reared by private fish seed producers. Enormous number of fishermen are indulged in fish production by culture methods.

Fishing rights in provincidised rivers, Channels, Tanks, Water bodies of Forest Department have to be leased out only to Fishermen Co-operative Societies on priority basis and in times these societies will lease out the fishing rights to its members. These fishing rights by lease will be lease out by the District Collector on the recommendation of the Assistant Director of Fisheries concerned.