India is bound by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the south-‐west, and the Bay of Bengal on the south-‐east. The east coast of India borders Western Bay of Bengal and the west coast borders Eastern Arabian Sea. Though these marginal seas occupy the same latitudinal range, water characteristics exhibit wide difference. This document deals with the trawl fishery of west coast of India, which is forming the eastern border of Arabian Sea. Marine fisheries is an important sector of the nation’s economy supporting the livelihood of the millions of fisher-‐folk inhabiting the long coastline of India and those who are engaged in related activities. The marine fisheries sector in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth during the last five decades both quantitatively and qualitatively. The subsistence fisheries during the early 50's produced about 0.5 million tonnes annually. Indian marine fish production which was fluctuating between 2.3 to 3.3 million tonnes in 1990-‐2010 reached 3.9 million tonnes by 2012 (CMFRI, 2013). Technological intervention in the mechanized sector with more endurance in sea, better fish finding and geo-‐positioning equipment, better communication system, better storage facilities and better coverage of far off fishing grounds made its impact in marine fisheries production immensely. Contribution of mechanized sector (formed mainly of trawlers and purse seines) has dominated during last three decades. In the end of 1990s their contribution was around 50% which increased to 65% by 2000 and to 78% in 2012 (3.08 million tonnes).

The trawl catch is showing an increasing trend all along Indian coast, which is contributing highly to the economy of the country. Research programs are being conducted for resources conservation and sustainability of production in trawl fisheries. The changes in fishing technology and catch characteristics, like pelagic trawl introduction, introduction of high speed engines, bycatch issues and juvenile fishery are monitored and discussed in various forums organized by government of India. Such awareness and participatory programs are also yielding socially acceptable solutions for many of the issues. The closure of fishery during monsoon is earnestly followed by the trawl fishery. The debate is going on for introduction of new ban period and/ extension of existing ban period in various fora.