The artisanal fishery is a traditional activity in the coastal Zone of Santa Catarina State, playing an important historical-social and economic role in this region. This study was conducted in the central and Northern part of Santa Catarina coastal zone, which included ten municipalities: Barra Velha, Piçarras, Penha, Navegantes, Itajaí, Balneário Camboriú, Itapema, Porto Belo, Bombinhas and Tijucas. A diagnosis of artisanal fishery in this area was achieved through 482 questionnairy interviews with fishermen and their families. The results indicated that artisanal shrimp fishery is the main activity in this area. It was also verified that the artisanal fisheries as a whole has serious problems such as the lack of fiscalization of the industrial fleet near the coastline, and 'he lack of supporting policies for these fishery sector. Another serious problem is the non planned urbanisation in the beaches formely dominated by fishermen settlement. As a result, it was verified a decrease of the number of fishermen and a decrease in the economical benefits of the artisanal fishing activity. lmmediate solutions, such as universitary extension programs such as environmental education and revaluation of the fishery policies must be taken before this culturally and historically important activity disappears from Center North Santa Catarina coastal zone.