The main occupation of Nagapattinam is fishing in the waters of Bay of Bengal and the fish is sold in the daily and weekly fish markets in the town. There are a large number of ice factories for preserving the fish. The industry suffered a setback after the tsunami that struck the coast on 26 December 2004. There is limited agricultural activity, but a lot of agricultural commerce conducted in the town. Majority of the people in the town are employed in service industry belonging to the teritiary sector. The town is also the centre of retail provisions trading for the towns and villages surrounding Nagapattinam. Tourism is a major economic driver with the presence of heritage and historic points like Nagore, Velankanni, Sikkal, Kodikkarai, Vedaranyam, Mannargudi and Tharangambadi around the town. There is limited industrial activity in the town – the major industries are household, tailoring, embroidery, plastic wire and metal manufacturing. Cauvery Basin Refinery, a subsidiary of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) is located near Nagapattinam. Established in 1993, it is a major contributor to the economy of the town. The development of industries is constrained by the town being linear and applicability of CRZ regulations that prevent large-scale construction and industrial buildings. All major nationalized banks such as State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and private banks like ICICI Bank, City Union Bank have their branches in Nagapattinam. All these banks have their automated teller machines located in various parts of the town
