Inland Fisheries

5.4.3.4 Killai Backwaters

It is a shallow body of brackishwater situated in Tamil Nau state between the Vellar and Coleroon (Kollidam) estuaries and extends to about 16 km in the north-south and 5 km in the east-west. It has a permanent connection with the Bay of Bengal. About 100 tonnes of prawns are landed annually. The prawn species in the order of abundance include F. indicus, Penaeus monodon and Metapenaeus dobsoni. Macrobrachium rosenbergi is found from October to December indicating that they migrate to estuary for breeding. Prawns are caught by stake nets, cast nets and drag nets.