Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ANNUAL CHANGES AND CONSTRAINTS IN AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION IN INDIA

B.R.Chavan and Yi Yang

Abstract

Coastal aquaculture has been recognized as an important tool for employment generation and as a vital source of supply for meeting the food security and nutritional requirements of our growing population. Farmers practicing traditional and improved traditional systems of shrimp farming by adopting improved technology for increased production, productivity and returns, are achieving the objectives of sustainable and eco-friendly coastal aquaculture. Coastal aquaculture can also help to solve the malnutrition problem and may increase the per capita consumption of fish. Despite attempts to reduce post-harvest losses, handling fresh shrimp with a minimum of spoilage is still a distant reality in view of the vastness of the country. Considerable attention needs to be paid to this aspect. Waste stabilization ponds which are mandatory in farms above 5 ha. area, may be used for secondary aquaculture.