ABSTRACT
Shrimp aquaculture in India has evolved from a mere subsistence industry in the 1980s to one of the world's leading producers of cultured shrimp by the mid-1990s. In 2003, India was world's second-largest producer of cultured shrimp at 115,320 tonne with 152,000 ha under shrimp culture (MPEDA 2004a). Experts believe that the industry is still in its infancy, occupying only 15 per cent of India's total coastal area identified as suitable for land-based aquaculture. Yet, Indian aquaculture has already emerged as one of the largest export-earning sectors, with total shrimp exports reaching 134,815 tonne in 2003 valued at Rs.4,608 million out of which 82 per cent was contributed by cultured shrimp. Favourable climatic conditions, availability of natural brood stock, ample trained manpower, technological advancements, and concessions have contributed to the industry's rapid expansion. Total cultivated shrimp production increased from 35,500 tonne in 1990–91 to 102,940 tonne in 2001–02 with an annual compound growth rate of 8.8 per cent. However, average yield per hectare, which reached its peak during 1994–95 to 819 kg/ha, started declining due to both health and disease problems and the reduction of intensive shrimp farms in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) from 2000 onwards. Cultured shrimps currently contribute around 30 per cent of total fisheries gross national product (GNP), with ample employment opportunities. Andhra Pradesh (henceforth AP) contributes more than half of country's shrimp production and exports.
