Observations on the prawn fishery off Sakthikulangara in the light of monsoon trawling ban

Sakthikulangara is the most important prawn landing center in Kerala. Study on the prawn fishery exploited by shrimp trawlers for a period of 15 years during 1986-200b at rnis centre indicated a decline in the landings in the first five year period followed by improved fishery between 1991 and 1995. However, decline in catch and catch rate was registered in the next 5 years. Contribution of Sakthikulangara to the Kerala prawn fishery declined from 51% in seventies to 30% in eighties and 24% in nineties. 'Karikkadi' (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) contributed \nto 68% of the average annual production during 1986 - 2000. Extension of trawling to middle shelf waters and introduction of night trawling transformed the complexion of prawn fishery in the nineties with the addition of nonconventional species such as Trachypenaeus curuirostris, \nSolenocera choprai and Penaeus canaliculatus. Analysis of data on prawn fishery at Sakthikulangara for a period of 20 years (1981-2000) to study the impact of ban on monsoon trawling has indicated that trawling ban for a short duration of 45 days in the first half of the season is \nadvantageous to the 'Karikkadi' fishery.