Prawn resources of the Maharashtra Coast with special reference to Penaeids

Maharashtra with an annual average catch of 66250 t contributes to 49% of the nation's marine prawn \nproduction. Non-penaeid prawns constitute the bulk, the State's share being 9090 of the Indian nonpenaeid \ncatch. Penaeids accounted for 30:/, of the prawn fishe~y of the State and23"/, of the penaeid landing \nof India. Statistical analysis of the annual production of prawns in Maharashtra during 1961-80 revealed \nan upward trend in penaeid prawns. For non-penaeids, the trend showed increase up to 1977 and thereafter \na gradual decline The variations in the annual fishing effort have also been discussed.