Impact of Tsunami on the Ecology, Species Composition and Production in an Interior Prawn Filtration Field in Kochi. *

Abstract

The impact of the tsunami of 26th December,2004 on the ecology, species composition and production in the prawn filtration practice of an interior field of 0.75 hectare belonging to the Instructional Farm of the College of Fisheries, Panangad, Kochi, has been studied during the period from January 2005 to June 2005. Important physico-chemical and biological parameters in the field were monitored in relation to production at periodical intervals. The soil and nutrient profiles in the field have also been evaluated. The availability of the various shrimp/fish species in the field which depends on auto stocking is a reflection of the natural recruitment. A total production of 1066.07 kg/ha in 135days was obtained during the year 2005. A comparison of the production of the current season with that of the previous three years has also been attempted.