Short Term Culture of penaeus Monodon in the Low Saline Ponds around Chilika Lagoon under Monoculture Systems

Short term culture of Penaeus monodon in the low saline ponds around Chilika lagoon under monoculture has clearly demonstrated about the suitability of such areas for shrimp production. The selected ponds of 0.2 ha each was prepared prior to stocking of shrimp post-larvae (PL-20). The ponds were stocked @ 3 numbers PL /m². The stocking densities of 30,000 numbers / ha was maintained in all the experimental ponds. The initial weight of the stocking material varied between 2.5 to 2.6 g. The experiment was carried out for 120 days consecutively for two years. The post larvae were provided with artificial feed @ 15% of the biomass initially and subsequently reduced to 3% depending upon the increment in growth. Water sampling for study of physico-chemical parameters was carried out at monthly intervals where biomass sampling was done at every fortnight intervals to assess the increment in growth for rescheduling the feeding rate. The study revealed a better yield of shrimp under monoculture during the months extending from July to October incomparision to the culture from December to March for the year 2009-10 and 2010-11. The results obtained are also discussed.