Aquaculture in mangrove environment

Abstract

A general account of aquaculture of India in mangrove environment has been discussed. In-spite of being a none-too-tidal aquaculture site, the estuaries and backwaters fringEd. by mangrove vegetation have long been used for rearing and fattening of prawns, bivalves and finfishes. General consensus based on the analysis of cost factor, pond management efficiency and annual production levels has indicated that the disadvantages of setting up of large-scale commercial aquaculture ventures in mangrove areas outweigh the advantages and should be used only in the absence of other options. However, in order to fulfil the realistic demand for seafood proteins, marine and estuarine culture fisheries or aquaculture will be tried. Towards this, mangrove vegetation forms an integral part of most productive and presently underutilised coastal ecosystem. It needs to be used in controlled manner. This would offer immense opportunities for generating food resources through aquaculture