Shrimp aquaculture is currently the fastest growing food-producing sector in the world. In cultured shrimp production, China ranks first while India stands at fifth position with production of 4,87,470 lakh tonnes. Amongst all the states, Andhra Pradesh ranks first and Maharashtra is at sixth position. Maharashtra has a huge potential for the development of shrimp farming. Out of 10,400 ha suitable farming area, only 13% area is presently used, so there is a huge potential. At present there are 165 registered shrimp farmers in the state and regulation of shrimp farms is done by Coastal Aquaculture Authority and the Department of Fisheries (DoF). DoF has the mandate to provide extension services, conducting training and demonstrations for farmers and fishers. DoF allocates brackish water land on lease basis to shrimp farmers, implements schemes for brackish water aquaculture development and provides necessary permissions. Capacity development of extension personnel involved in shrimp aquaculture is very important because they aim to bring desirable changes in the adoption behaviour of farmers by providing them latest knowledge and skills. For this, the DoF personnel should have the necessary professional competencies in addition to being a regulatory authority. This is all the more important with new technologies coming in at a rapid pace for which farmers require constant technical support. Otherwise alternative technical support mechanisms from market and industry will dominate, as the current trend shows. Considering this, an investigation was carried out to identify and prioritize training needs of fisheries extension personnel in the area of shrimp farming which have the potential to improve their professional competencies. Information was collected from 55 fisheries extension personnel comprising Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, Fisheries Development Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries who were involved in conducting training, providing extension services and implementation of various schemes like blue revolution for farmers. Borich Need Assessment Model which is based on competency and discrepancy parameters was used to assess perceived level of importance for each training area on a five point rating scale and Mean Weighted Discrepancy Score (MWDS) was used for prioritization. Results revealed the prioritized training areas in shrimp farming as per MWDS were shrimp disease management with score of 10.28, followed by farming with biofloc technology (score 9.85) and biosecurity management (score 9.65). Latest technology on organic shrimp farming with MWDS of 6.02 also was prioritized. In the areas of extension management, with MWDS of 5.40, the need of being competent in organizing training programmes along with conducting demonstrations (MWDS - 4.27) and through knowledge on BMPs and standards to be maintained in shrimp farming (MWDS - 4.10) were prioritized. The training needs analysis indicated that prioritized areas for capacity development of extension personnel are in the areas of scientific shrimp farming and extension management. It is thus recommended that capacity building modules should incorporate both scientific farming and extension management skills. This will improve professional competencies and may create more employment opportunities in rural areas.