An attempt has been made in this paper to discuss the marketing margins, and producer's and middlemen's share in consumer's rupee for commercially important varieties of marine fish in Madras region of Tamil Nadu. Pudumanikuppam which is a major mechanised landing centre as primary market, Chintatripet as wholesale market and Pattalam, Chintatripet, Saidapet and Vadapalani (all in Madras City) as consumer markets were selected for the study. Data on landing, wholesale and retail prices of selected varieties of fish were collected 15 to 20 days in each quarter during April 1984 to March 1985 by following the marketing channel.

The study revealed that the retailer's margin ranged from 19 (pomfrets) to 45% (silverbellies) and the wholesaler's margin 4 (pomfrets) to 27% (sharks) of the consumer price. Marketing expenses including transportation and handling charges ranged from 4 (seerfish) to 14% (silverbellies). The analysis indicated that fisherman's share varied from 32 (rays and silverbellies) to 72% (pomfrets). The fishermen get higher share in consumer's rupee for quality fishes like pomfrets and seerfish for which consumer preference is comparatively high. Maximum quantity of fish was sold through Fishermen’s Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer channel. It has been found that whatever the processing facilities including drying, curing, etc. available in this area, only the middlemen take advantage out of it and its benefit is not at all transferred to the fishermen.

To increase the efficiency of fish marketing system the involvement of too many intermediaries has to be avoided by introducing a co-operative marketing system. Organisation of consumer promotional programmes to create demand for less consumed varieties especially in interior areas, establishment of storage and processing facilities at least in major landing centres, introduction of regulated marketing system in the lines of agricultural crops, support price for at least commercially important varieties of fish and periodical monitoring of prevailing prices of different varieties of fish in major markets are some of the suggestions given for better efficiency of fish marketing.