It has been estimated that there are approximately 2.02 million hectares of cultivable area of brackish water in India with a potential to produce 4.3 lakh tonnes of fish (Gopalakrishnan, 1970). Most of such areas in Gujarat, are tidal wastelands with mangrove growth. The fishermen living in the villages along the 175 Km coastal belt of Gulf of Cambay are economically backward and fish traditionally, in the intertidal areas; they seldom venture to sea for fishing. The present communication describes the status of the traditional fisheries carried out in the region and indicate the prospects existing for development of coastal aquaculture.

The authors express their gratitude to the commissioner of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat for facilities received. They are also thankful to Shri N. D. Chhaya, Joint Director of Fisheries, Okha and Shri M. Bhaskaran, Research Officer, Okha for their keen interest in the work.