The annual average catch of silverbellies was 453 t in small-mechanized boats operating off Visakhapatnam during 1990-2001. Silverbellies contributed 4.2 % to the total landings. Maximum landings were during April-June. Ten species of silverbellies were recorded of which Leiognathus bindus (51%) was the dominant species. The growth parameters, L_∞ and K or L.bindus and Secutor insidiator were 148 mm & 0.88 yr^-1 and 140 mm & 0.96 yr^-1 respectively. The estimated mortality rates, Z, M and F were 6.36, 1.97 and 4.39 for L. bindus and 6.03, 2.12 and 3.91 for S. insidiator. The exploitation rates for the species were 0.69 and 0.65 respectively.

Fishery, population dynamics, silverbellies, Visakhapatnam