TRADE OF LIVE BROODERS OF THE BLACK TIGER SHRIMP, PENAEUS (PENAEUS) MONODON Fabricius 1798 AT VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

The demand for brooders of Penaeus monodon by the hatcheries, which
are solely dependant on wild brooders for their seed production, has resulted
in a vigorous fishery and trade for this species, especially along the
Visakhapatnam coast. More than three hundred brooders are brought in per
day for trading during the peak landing season from December to March
every year. The price of gravid brooders has been declining over the years
but on an average is about Rs. 30,000 per brooder. The total length of male
brooders ranged from 190 to 246 mm during the three years under study and
for females it varied between 210 and 330 mm. A specialized methodology for
transportation, storage and trade of P. monodon brooders has been evolved
over the years at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour. Concentrated exploitation
of brooders from the wild and presence of pathogens in them makes a strong
case for development of specific pathogen free brooders and conservation of
wild stock.
Keywords: Live brooders, black tiger shrimp, conservation, wild stock.