The spatial and temporal pattern in the fishery assemblage structure of mangrove habitats along South Andaman Islands coast was studied in relation to environmental variables. Exploitation level was found to be low compared to mainland as fishing was carried out mainly for own consumption and less for commercial purpose. Fishery data were collected on weekly basis from artisanal fishermen at eight sampling stations and later sorted seasonally. Fifty five commercially important species were recorded during the study and sorted out into thirteen major groups for better understanding. Cluster analysis confirmed three seasons, of which season-I receiving highest rainfall recorded maximum fishery (45%) followed by season-II receiving moderate rainfall (35%) and least in season-III receiving least rainfall (20%). While spatially, the fishery was highest in Shoal Bay (40%) and lowest in Beodanabad (4%). Scylla serata (15.1%) dominated the catches followed by Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) indicus (6.3%), Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) merguiensis (5.3%), Plotosus canius (5.2%), Oreochromis mossambicus (4.1%) and Scylla tranquebarica (3.7%). Furthermore shrimps formed the major group that contributed 21.9% of the fishery followed by Mud Crabs (17.2%), Mullets (11.8%) and Silver-biddies (7.13%). Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated rainfall as the major factor influencing seasons and water temperature and salinity as the variables affecting the fish catch. Similarly BEST analysis also confirmed that water temperature, salinity and BOD as parameters affecting the fishery of South Andaman mangrove regions.
