On the east coast of India, the elasmobrancbs, cat fishes, 'other sardines',
anchovies and white baits, 'other clupeids', sciaenids, ribbon fish, silverbelHes and
penr.cid prawns form the major fisher'es and contribute about 63% of the total
mar'ne fish catch of the coast. The trends in the yields of these fisheries of this
coast during the 21-year period from 1932 to 1972 have been analysed. A study
of th'i fluctuations in the trends in the yields assumes greater importance as no
up-to-date information is available at present about the nature of trends of major
exploited fisher'es of the east coast of India especially in view of the diversification
of fishing on this coast. The study reveals that in West Bengal and Orissa,
elasmobrancbs, cat fishes, anchovies and white baits, other clupeids. sciaenids,
ribbon fish and silverbeHies form a good fishery and it is predcted that ^ese
fisheries will continue to yield good catches in future also. In Andhra the fisheries
ctf other sardines, other clupeids, sciaenids, ribbon fish and penaeid prawns are
successful and they w'll maintain the present increasing trend in their landings in
the coming years also. In Tamil Nadu, it is seen that only cat fishes, other sardines,
anchovies and white baits and sciaenids form very good fishery and they will
yield higher catches also in the future years
