Finfish seed collection in Krishna and West Godavari Districts, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Marine finfish culture using locally available wild seed is gaining importance in Andhra Pradesh. Fishes such as Asian seabass, milk fish and different species of mullets are the major species available in sufficient quantities in the wild. Understanding the availability of the wild seeds in the backwaters of Krishna and West Godavari districts, aquaculture of those fishes has been established in most of the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Part- time seed collection operations are being practiced by fishermen in several fishing villages from these districts. Traditional methods of fish seed collection employed are based on tidal patterns. There are two major methods of seed collection depending on the location. The fish seeds are collected using scoop nets during low tide time from the water pools in the mangroves. The fish seeds are also collected with drag net or seine net in the backwaters and sea shore areas. During high tide, nets are installed with poles, near periphery of the estuary. The fish seeds get collected in the net during low tide and when water recedes further they are collected by the fishermen. The seed collection is mainly practiced during March to May for Asian seabass, March to July for milk fish and throughout the year for mullet. Large scale seed collection is being followed for Asian sea bass and milk fish.