The prawn fishery of the sea-ward reaches of the Hooghly estuary (West Bengal, India) which was of the magnitude of about 619, 555 and 515 tonnes in 1967, 68 and 69 respectively and comprised mostly of the species Parapenaeopsis sculptilis, Palaemon tenuipes, Metapenaeus brevicornis, Acetes indicus, Palaemon styliferus and Penaeus indicus contribute almost half of the total prawn landings from the Hooghly-Matlah Estuarine System. Data so far gathered on the fishery biology of these prawns arc reviewed and discussed, indicating trends in the development of capture fishery (for prawns) at the river mouth region, generally termed as the marine zone of the estuary. The possibilities of expanding prawn culture practices in the area are also discussed.