N. NeethiselvanD.JudeP. GopalakrishnanG. Sugumar2017-05-292017-05-292002http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810012918Euthyrtnus affinis forms notable fishery in Thoothukkudi coastal waters with peak season from June to September Euthynnus affinis is captured in small meshed gillnets popularly called 'PODIVALAI' with mesh size ranging from 60 mm to 115 mm. The present study deals with the standardization of mesh size to capture the commercially significant length group (476-600 mm) of E. affinis and its enmeshing pattern in gillneis with three different mesh size. The optimum mesh size for the commercial exploitation of E. affinis in Thoothukkudi coastal waters is found to be 104.2 mm. Further the study recommends to discourage the use of gill net with 50 mm mesh size for the capture of E. The optimum mesh size for the commercial exploitation of E.affinis in Thoothukkudi coastal waters is found to be 104.2 mm. Further the study recommends to discourage the use of gill net with 50 mm mesh size for the capture of E. aFfinis as this net captures the juveniles of e affnis.ennullReprint