Fishery and biology of the giant trevally, Caranx ignobilis landed along the southern coast of India was monitored. Yong ones of the species enter the backwaters during saline phase and with the lowering of salinity following onset of monsoon they move back to sea for further growth. However they remain in shallow coastal waters and support coastal fishery by traditional gears including shoresiens almost round the year. Biological observations and presence of young ones in the backwaters and coastal fishery indicated that the species spawn almost round the year with peak during November-December. Growth estimates show that they grow fast and attain 58, 91, 115, and 126 cm in total length by first, second, third and fourth year. The weight increment was also fast and attains 4.6 kg, 10.3 kg, 18.6 kg and 25.4 kg respectively with the same period.
Short rearing trials in FRP tanks showed that they are adaptable to confined rearing, including good food acceptability, high survival and growth. Juveniles of the species which enter the traditional tide fed prawn farms were found to grow fast, but being a predator they cause serious threat to the stocked prawns. Seeing their growth performance juveniles which are caught in the dip nets and that culled out from prawn farms were stocked in bottom set netlon cages and fed with low value catches from local fishing. Growth performance and survival in the cage was monitored and found quiet satisfactory. Seeds were fed with low vale fishes and trashes obtained from these dip nets. Fishes were grown well and reached 1.5 to 2 kg with 5 - 6 months. Distribution and biology of the species, their growth and survival under different confined rearing conditions indicated that the species is ideal for farming in coastal ponds, pens and in open sea cages.