Tuticorin coast is known for the rich
elasmobranch resources consisting of sharks, rays
and skates. However, the landing of the resource
was declining over the years. Elasmobranchs are
mainly caught by trawlers, hooks and line and gillnets.
At Tuticorin Fisheries Harbour (TFH), which is one
of the major landing centre along the Gulf of Mannar
(GOM) coast, the trawl fishery was excellent when
fishing resumed on 30th May 2009 after the 45 day
monsoon ban. On 15th of July 2009, unusual heavy
landing of rays and skates was noticed (Fig. 1). The
landing of rays and skates on this day alone was
estimated as 33.3 t consisting of nine species of rays
and four species of skate
