Prawn fisheries of important brackishwater and estuarine systems in India

Abstract

Most of the penaeid prawns spend tlieir Juvenile phase in the shallow estuarine and bracklshwater regions, supporting rich fisheries in this ecosysterh. Penaeus monodon, P. indicus, Metapenaeus dobsoni, M. monoceros and M. brevlcornis are the dominant species contributing to the rich prawn fishery resources of this ecosystem. Both abiotic and biotic factors play a major role in determining the success of the fishery. Small country crafts and different types of bag nets, traps etc. are used for the exploitation of the Juvenile prawn resources. Salient features of the prawn fisheries of the major estuarine and backwater systems along both the east and west coasts of our country are presented here.