Present status of exploitation of fish and shellfish resources: Whitebaits

On the basis of data from Vizhinjam, Cochin and Mangalore, the trends in fishery, Species composition, biology of different species and distribution in space and time of whitebait are presented with reference to premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon seasons. Of the three centres, the fishing grounds off Mangalore are found to be most productive for whitebaits. In the inshore fishing grounds at Cochin and Mangalore, the whitebait seem to be absent during monsoon months. At Vizhinjam, however, the main whitebait fishery season coinsides with the m o nsoon period. In the light of the data presented, the rational exploitation of whitebait resources during monsoon, postmonsoon and premonsoon seasons is discussed