Mi ni -trawls are operated by the artisanal fishermen from small wooden non-motorised
canoes. Shrimp, fish and crab trawls wi th head rope length rang ing from 3.5-8 m, made of
Po lyethy lene mon ofila ment (PE) twisted and Polyamide mullifilament (PA) rigged to 6-7 kll
fla t rectangular wooden otter boards are common in the lower reaches of Kariango de and
Chandrag iri rive rs. Since the trawling speed is less, ca tch is do minated by crus taceans. Less
scope ratio also may be affecting the catching efficiency of the gear. This pape r deals with
the design, operation and economics of mini traw ling carried out by a group of fisherme n
in the above rivers of Kasargod district Kerala state.