Observations on the prawn fishery of the Cochin backwaters with special reference to the stake net catches

The long chain of backwaters extending along the central and southern parts of the Kerala State provides rich prawn fishing grounds, where fishing is carried out practically all the year round. The fishery is not confined to the backwaters only, but extends into the extensive networks of canals connected with them and also to the paddy fields bordering the' Vembanad Kayal' at about the middle of the chain. Though reliable statistics are y~t lacking there is little doubt that the annual production may amount to several' thousands of tons