The mudbanks attracted the attention of fishery
scientists as they play a vital role in coastal fishing
during the S. W. monsoon. Studies on the fishery
associated with mudbanks were carried out
from Quilon to Mangalore, particularly in the
mudbanks of Purakkad and Nattika, where the fishery
is more intense. The total catch and catch per
unit effort for mudbank and non-mudbank areas
were estimated and compared. Changing pattern
of fishery, species composition and their relative
abundance were studied. The present paper thus em
bodies a detailed account on the much publicised
'mudbank fishery'—or Chakara fishery—and its magni
tude and limitations. An attempt has also been made
to project the socio-economics of the fishing com
munity of these areas, along with the infra-structure
and the impact of legislation in regard to mudbank
fishery
