author(s)
Suraj Kumar Pradhan, S Abuthagir Iburahim, Nakhawa Ajaya Dayaram and Latha Shenoy

abstract
Dol net is one of the most important passive traditional gears operated in the estuaries of the Maharashtra state. Fortnight sampling from Sep 2016 to May 2017 carried out by questionnaire based survey and onboard sampling in single-day dol-netters. The catch composition of the dol net noted monthly and the catch comprised of 73 species, of which the major contributors were Harpadon nehereus (Bombay duck), Coilia dussumieri (Grenadier anchovy), Lepturacanthus savala (Small head hairtail), Johnius amblycaphalus (Bearded croaker), Mystus gulio (Tengra), Parapenaeopsis sculptilis (Rainbow shrimp), Charybdis (Charybdis) callianassa (True crabs), Enhydrina schistosa (Beaked sea snake), Arius maculates (Spotted catfish) and Acetes indicus (Jawala paste shrimp). The catch per unit effort (CPUE) and mean discard to total catch in dol net was 14.1 kg and 8.11%. The present study revealed that on an average 2.72% (maximum 8.3%) of the total catch was plastic. The catch composition and the mapping of the available resources in this estuary is the baseline information and will be helpful for further steps to be taken for management and conservation of the dol net fishery.