High-resolution shallow seismic reflection data obtained in the continental shelf sediments off western India from 10 ¿N to 22 ¿N reveal the characteristic anomalous seismic signatures in the form of acoustic maskings of methane-rich horizons. A conservative estimate of the potential subsurface methane in these gas-charged sediments is of the order of 2.6 Tg, and its contribution to the atmosphere with an annual flux of 0.039 Tg CH4 appears to be quite significant. From our limited results coupled with worldwide reports, it is concluded that the seepage of methane (8 to 65 Tg) through the seabed of the continental shelves worldwide cannot be ignored for the estimation of global oceanic flux of methane and its budget. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1996