The Mandapam regional centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRl) has released 10 lakh seeds of ‘penaeus semisulcatus’ (green tiger shrimp) species as part of its sea ranching programme to enhance shrimp production in the Palk Bay and promote the livelihood of the fishing community.
The institute, which is conducting research on hatchery production of the seeds of green tiger shrimps in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, released the seeds at ‘PL 10 (22-days old larvae) stage near the Lighthouse at Pamban on Saturday.
A.K. Abdul Nazar, Scientist in-charge, CMFRI, his colleagues and leaders of country boat fishermen, including S.P. Royappan and Arul, released the seeds. This was the second sea ranching after CMFRI launched the programme on May 11, releasing two lakh seeds of the same species at Mandapam.
Fishermen leaders thanked the CMFRI scientists for the initiative. They hoped that the sea ranching programme would help to replenish the shrimp resources in the region. The seeds would be ready for harvest in about five months, scientists said.
CMFRI began researching on hatchery production of seeds of the green tiger shrimps after noticing that over fishing of brooders (parent shrimps) and juveniles had resulted in drastic depletion of shrimp resources in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar.
“We expect 30% to 40% survival rate and each shrimp will grow to 18 to 20 gms in the next five months,” Mr. Nazar said. As part of the series of sea ranching of this shrimp species, CMFRI proposed to release next batch in October, he said.
Next time, it would be more than 10 lakh seeds, he added.
The institute proposed to continue the ranching for a year to ensure replenishment of natural stock. It would decide on continuing the programme after studying the funding availability, scientists said. The ranching programme would also help to conserve and maintain sustainable shrimp stocks in the wild, scientists said.
Fishermen leaders requested the scientists to take up research on hatchery production of some fish species and Mr. Nazar agreed to consider their request.