Exploitation of juveniles of green tiger prawn. Penaeus (penaeus) semisulcatus, along Palk Bay and its impact on the prawn fishery of the region

The green tiger prawn Penaeus (Penaeus) semisulcatus, contributes to over 50% of the total prawn catch landed along the Palk Bay coast. They are caught by the indigenously developed trawl-like bottom nets and trawl nets operated by non-mechanised and mechanised fishing vessels within the 12 metre depth zone With the increasing demand for prawns by the export trade, intense fishing for juvenile prawns which inhabit the sea grass ecosystem near the shore It t-iking place all along the coast. The results of the survey carried out on this exploitation pattern are reported in the paper