ABNORMAL CATCH OF DEVIL RAYS DICEROBATIS EREGOODOO DAY IN GILL NETS OFF VERAVAL

49 numbers of Devil Rays weighing 997 ICilograms were caught in a single gill net operation on 23-2-1978 at a depth of 25 meters off Veraval, North West Coast of India. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) of this unusual catch was found 175 kgs per 1000 sq.m. of net for Devil Rays alone and 182 kgs for total catch On that day. This is found to be one of the largest catches to be recorded so far with regard to giW netting in Indian waters. This also suggests the maximum catch that can be obtained in gill nets.