Compared to earlier years, the landings of the Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta were unusually high at Madras in 1986. At Kasimedu, the landings from trawlers increased from the annual average of 19.1 tonnes during 1981-1985 to 219.0 t in 1986. The catch from the non-mechanised Eda Valai (bag net) also exhibited a similar increase from the annual average of 16.6 t during 1981-1985 to 914.51 in 1986. The catch rates were also very high in 1986. Data collected on length measurements and maturity stages of R. kanagurta are also presented in the text