Traditional and improved traditional shrimp farming in the Pokkali fields of Kerala.

Abstract

Shrimp production' from two traditional Pokkali fields (PI and P2) werestudied during 1996-97. In 1997-98, in addition to the two Pokkali fields (PI and P3), improved traditional culture of Penaeus monodon conducted in another Pokkali field (P4) was also monitored. The Pokkali fields were additionally stocked with wild seed of Penaeus indicus over and above the autostocking process. P. indicus, P. monodon, Metapenaeus dobsoni and M. monoceros were represented in the catches of the four fields during the two years of observations. The total shrimp catch was 5572.6 kg in PI (14 ha) and 3311 .I5 kg in P2 (6.4 ha) during 1996-97, and the respective productions were 398.042 kg ha-' and 517. 367 kg ha", respectively in 1997-98; the total catch dropped to 1507 kg and production to 107.643 kg ha.' in PI. In P3 (2.2 ha ) the catch and production recorded were 1352.5 kg and 614.773 kg ha-', respectively. The field P4 (3.2 ha) was stocked with PL 20 of P. monodon Q 37500 per ha. In 90 days culture, the shrimps attained final size of 179.0 mm per 42.29 and recorded survival rate of 31.4%.The total quantity of 835 kg P. monodon obtained works out to a production rate of 260.938 kg per ha in 3 months. Analysis of cost and returns of traditional shrimp farming vis-a-vis modified traditional shrimp culture revealed that while the farmer of field P3 incurred loss of Rs. 34,000.00 in 5 months of shrimp filtration, the farmer of,field P4 received profit of Rs. 72,986.00 in 3 months from the culture of P. monodon in 1997-98. The advantages of inproved traditional shrimp farming is discussed in relation to traditional shrimp filtration practice