Status of the hammerhead shark (Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae) fishery in Indian waters with observations on the biology of scalloped hammerhead<scp><i>Sphyrna lewini</i></scp>(Griffith &amp; Smith, 1834)

Hammerhead sharks are represented by four species in India's marine fishery – Sphyrna lewini, mokarran, zygaena and Eusphyra blochii. This paper describes the hammerhead shark India during 2007–2018 summarizes observations on biology of S. lewini exploited along Indian coast. caught trawl nets, gillnets, seines line gear, mostly as bycatch. Annual average landing 2007–18 was 639 t, with a low 290 t 2018, which S, dominant species, comprising 95% landings. formed nearly 1.31% total elasmobranch About 54% were landed trawlers. Length range regular landings 36–300 cm length (TL). The size class 30–100 TL; 79.5% males 83.2% females measured between 40 100 TL. Length–weight relationship derived W = 0.0218*(L)2.634 0.0131*(L)2.769 for females, respectively. Overall sex ratio (F: M) 1.3:1; below TL, skewed favour females. at first maturity estimated 168 cm. 239.6 Fecundity ranged from 12–40, birth 36–45 Bony fishes preferred prey, followed cephalopods. dominated juveniles threatens sustainability stock. Capture juvenile can be excluded to considerable extent through strict implementation minimum legal capture, conservative 220 is suggested this waters. Identification recurring aggregation grounds, their spatio-temporal closures, gear restrictions greater stakeholder awareness could lead conservation resource sustainable fishery.