Stake net Catch analysis of Ashtamudi Lake

A general account on the stake net catch of Ashtamudi Lake during 2009 November- 2010 October is given. Estuaries and back waters are the back bone of marine fishery resources as they serve as the nursery for many of the penaeid prawns and fishes. Stake nets are widely used in the back waters, estuaries and coastal areas and it plays an important role in the commercial exploitation of prawns and fishes. The present study was aimed to analyze the stake net catches, which operated along the Ashtamudi lake. Prawns were contributed over 60% of the total catch. Among them, Penaeid prawns was the major contributor (93%). Fishes contributed only 32% of the total catch followed by mollusks (1%). As prawns become the major contributor of this gear, this net can be considered, a typical Prawn Fishing gear.