The present study deals about the diversity and management of penaeid shrimp species along the coast of Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. Occurrence and abundance of penaeid species were recorded on the basis of month wise of variety of shrimp species made from two fishing gears viz. demersal trawl nets and mini trawls operated by mechanized boats and traditional crafts (Vallam) respectively. Totally 18 commercially important shrimp species viz., Fenneropenaeus indicus, Fenneropenaeus merguiensis, Marsupenaeus japonicus, Melicertus canaliculatus, Melicertus latisulcatus, Megokris sedili, Metapenaeus affinis, Metapenaeus dobsoni, Metapenaeus monoceros, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus, Parapenaeopsis cornuta, Parapenaeopsis maxillipedo, Parapenaeopsis sculptilis, Parapenaeopsis stylifera, Parapenaeopsis uncta, Parapenaeus longipes and Trachysalambria curvirostris belonging to family Penaeidae were identified. Among the eighteen species, of which four species viz. Fenneropenaeus indicus, Melicertus latisulcatus, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus and Parapenaeopsis stylifera were available throughout the year. Megokris sedili, Parapenaeopsis sculptilis and Trachysalambria curvirostris was the minimum occurrence species. However the species Penaeus semisulcatus has higher abundance in all over the year. Fenneropenaeus indicus, Melicertus latisulcatus, Metapenaeus affinis, Metapenaeus dobsoni, Penaeus monodon and Parapenaeopsis stylifera were observed lower abundance in throughout the year. Recruitment pattern, exploitation rate and current status of exploitation were studied for four commercially important species (Fenneropenaeus indicus, Melicertus latisulcatus, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus and Parapenaeopsis stylifera) and management options were also suggested for sustainable shrimp fishery along Thoothukudi coast.