The marine catfishes of the genus Tachysurus form an important resource along Kerala-Karnataka
coast. Till early seventies this resource was mainly exploited by indigenous gears and to a lesser extent
by trawlers. The sudden introduction of large number of purse seines brought in a boost in the production
of catfishes along Karnataka coast. This increase In the production was achieved exclusively by exploiting
shoe's of brooders which frequent the coastal waters for spawning in the monsoon and post monsoon
months. The exploitation of the brooders year after year has led to the decline in production, probably
due to poor recruitment. The steady yield of catfishes along Kerala showed a decreasing trend after the
massive purse seine operations in Karnataka. The possible extent and effects of this decline are discussed
in detail. The yield trends of various species of catfishes by different gears at the important fishing
centres in Kerala and Karnataka have been studied in the light of declining production, and destruction
of brooders. This account is an attempt to establish the degree of destruction of brooders, spawners and
eggs'larvae along the entire coastal stretch, especially during September-October period. An attempt has
been made to suggest suitable managerial measures to overcome this situation, so that the maximum
sustainable yield can be achieved without affecting the spawning population and thereby the stock
