Current World Environment Vol. 10(1), 179-183 (2015) Change in Fishing Patterns in Jammu & Kashmir Provinces of J&K – A Comparative Study IMTIYAZ QAYOOM*, MASOOD UL HASSAN BALKHI and BILAL AHAMAD BHAT Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Rangil, Ganderbal – 190000, J&K, India. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.10.1.20 (Received: May 12, 2015; Accepted: July 17, 2015) ABSTRACT Jammu and Kashmir serves a congenial habitat for variety of fish species due to large number of cold water resources which has paved way for the development of fisheries sector in the state. The state has crossed 20.0 thousand tonnes of fish production because of modern aquacultural practices implied at both governmental and private levels. Kashmir province is a leading producer of fishes contributing more than 80% of the total production of the state while as Jammu on the other hand has also emerged as a major producer of animal protein through fisheries sector. The fish production data of four decades reflects increasing trend of production in all commercially important species of both the provinces. However the statistical models forecasting the future production provide an idea about the growth patterns in fishes. In this paper, growth pattern of three different fish species (Trout, Mirror carp and Country fish) from Kashmir province and various fishes from Jammu province (collectively named as Jammu fish) of the state was assessed using fish production data from 1956-57 to 2011-12. Forecasting of fish production was made on the basis of the best fitted statistical models. Results showed that Kashmir province shows overall compound growth of 4.2% against 7.9% of increased compound growth rate of fish production of Jammu province since 1956-57. Cubic model was found to be the best fitted model for all the species in both the regions. However, when future fish production of the state is taken into consideration, the statistical models indicated a decreasing trend in the overall fish production of both the provinces. Besides, the matter of concern is that the demand of 70,000 thousand tonne consumption of fish protein in the state which is a milestone yet to be achieved. Key words: Fishing patterns, Water use, Fish production, Statistical models, R square, Compound Growth Rate. INTRODUCTION Jammu and Kashmir is known as a tourist destination due to its munificence of blossoms and magnanimity of resorts, the state is holding huge water spread area of 57000 hectares approximately out of which about 24000 hectares are in the shape of lakes, marshy areas and reservoirs and 23000 hectares in the shape of river systems (Anayat and Arjamand 2013). These waterbodies are home to various freshwater organisms of plant and animal origin serving congenial habitats for their wellbeing. Temperate and tropical zones of the state offer a potential resource for the development of cold & warm water fisheries including Trouts, Schizothoracines, Indian major carps and Chinese carps. The Fisheries Development Programme was launched with the object of increasing the fish production by establishment and up gradation of fish farms, hatcheries, popularisation of fish farming in private sector, imparting training to fish farmers and creating infrastructure for marketing of fish (Wagay,