India's annual catch of prawns and shrimps is second only to that of the United States and it is estimated
at 91,600 tonnes in 1967. The presently exploited pravm resources are spread over a narrow inshore area of
about 15 km. width along the entire coastline of the country. Regional as well as specific preponderances
of the exploited species are manifested in the overall commercial catches. Of the total quantity of prawns and
8hrimf» lan<ted in the country over 50% by live weight is contributed by penaeid prawns. Ten species included
under the four genera Penaeus, Melapenaeus, Parapenaeopsis and Solenocera contribute to the commercial fishery.
As additional fishing effort was introduced in the capture fishery year by year, the increasing trend observed
in the past years in the total landings of penaeid prawns is of little consequence. An attempt is, therefore,
made here to assess the effect of this increased effort on the prawn stodc. Possibility of increased exploitation
of the prawn resources is examined based on catch data of the mechanised fishing vessels operating in the
south-west coast of India where the capture fishery for prawns is most developed at present
