The present study was carried out from May 1989 to April 1990 to evaluate the present status of the Trawler Fishery in the Portugal Bay area of the Puttalam Estuary. The main craft types engaged in Trawler Fishery are lit trawler and 3.5t wooden boats. There were 11, lit trawlers and 30,3.5t wooden boats. The estimated average Catch Per Unit Effort for these two crafts were 46.5kg/haul and 27..6kg/haul respectively. The targeted species in the trawling by both craft types are prawns.. However the by-catch which consists of other finfish varieties also contribute to the economy of these fishing operations. The major finfish varieties are the fish belonging to the families Leiognathidae, Ar.iidae and Raj i dae. The estimated annual fish productivity was 41 kg/ha. A seasonality in the Trawler Fishery was observed with a peak period from October to January. The annual production of shellfish and finfish varieties from the Trawler Fishery were estimated at 195'MT and 372 MT respect i vely.