Data on the exploited marine fishery resources related to 3 major landing centres in Madras have been analysed for 1980-1986 with reference to important pelagic and demersal resources. The centre Kasimedu was taken into account because of large scale operation of trawlers and the other two centres, viz. Triplioane and Noohikuppam were selected mainly because of the various types of indigenous gears being operated. The monthly change in catch per unit effort of each gear is presented in the text. The operation of trawl net and mechanised gill net registered multifold increase during the 7 year period; whereas the CPUE of trawl net increased from 147 kg in 1980 to 174 kg in 1986, the CPUE of mechanised gill net declined from 257 kg in 1980 to 60 kg in 1986. In the non-mechanised sector, operation of ara valai, thuri valai and shore seine declined, but the operation of eda valai and kavala valai increased. New non-mechanised nets like mani valai and pannu valai were introduced during the 7 year period. The paper also discusses the catch trend of important groups of fishes and prawns during the study period.