| Abstract | The catch composition, annual catch and its monetary values of Pak Phanag mangroves fisheries, Nakhon Si Thamarat province, South Thailand were studied during September 2004 to February 2005. Samples of catches were taken four times from each type of gear used by the fishermen in the locality. Samples were preserved in 10% formalin solution and brought to the laboratory for identification. Semi-closed questionnaire surveys were conducted among fishermen, local traders as well as local administrative offices and related organizations to collect information on fisheries resources, fishermen and fisheries status, craft and gears records, trading and pricing of catches. Pak Phanang mangrove fishery has 6 categories of gear and fishing methods using long tail fishing boat. In addition, some non-commercial recreational fishing gear angling and cast net were also found in the study area. During the study period, 4951149 crab traps, 31-42 channel traps, 19-41 lift nets, 5-10 gill nets, 1000-1500 catfish hooks and about 300-350 hand capture crab-fishermen were counted. A total of 915 specimens comprising 575 fishes and 340 shell fishes were investigated during the study period and 55 fish species in 27 families and 23 shell fishes in 8 families were recorded. The most abundant family was Ambassidae comprising 26.5% of total specimens and 42% of fishes, followed by Penaeidae representing 26% of total specimens and about 70% among the shell fishes. In terms of biomass, Mugilidae contributed the highest at 14.7% of total biomass (fishes and shell fishes) and 30% among fish biomass only. Penaeid shrimp contributed about 45% of shell fish biomass but its contribution to total biomass was only 10%. Liza subviridis was the most abundant (about 12%) species in biomass followed by Plotosus canius (10%) of total catch accounted in the present study. The total production and its monetary values from mangrove fishery were calculated based on the data gathered in two ways: 1) counting the total number of gears in the area except for channel trap, gill net and crab trap wherein the number of gears counted were assumed to be 50% of the total in the area, and 2) estimation of the total number of gears based on fishermen perception. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) of crab trap and cat fish hook were 0.84 and 2.34 kg hour' 100 traps-' and channel trap, lift net, gill net and hand capture were 2.45, 0.75, 2.80 and 1.6 6 kg hour' respectively. The average catches (according to the first way of estimating total number of gears) were of 1.6, 1.3, 3.7 and 1.7 ton year' of channel trap, lift net, handling and gill net, respectively, and 1.2 and 4.1 ton 100 traps' year' of crab trap and cat fish hook, respectively. The annual production ranged from 240-284 kg ha-' with a market value of USS 151-257. The total annual catch and monetary value ranges were 1,681-1,987 ton year' and USS 1,059,000- 1,799,000 respectively. The recorded number of species in the present study was lower than other studies in Thailand as well as other geographical areas. This informative study would be helpful for further research on biological and economical aspect of Pak Phanang mangrove fishery and to develop efficient mangrove fisheries management strategy |