Prawn Aquaculture in India | 15 Apr 2025

Source: TH

Why in News? 

India’s aquaculture sector plays a key role in the country's nutrition and economy, making it the world’s third-largest aquaculture producer and second-largest in prawn production. 

  • India’s prawn production has seen a 17% annual growth, contributing to both domestic consumption and exports. 

What is Aquaculture?

  • Definition of Aquaculture: 
    • Aquaculture refers to the cultivation and management of aquatic organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms for commercial, recreational, and scientific purposes. 
    • It is considered the aquatic counterpart of agriculture, focusing on rearing marine and freshwater species to supplement natural populations. 
  • Global Growth: 
    • Aquaculture is among the fastest-growing food production sectors worldwide. 
    • It currently supplies over 50% of the seafood consumed globally. 
  • Leading Producers: 
    • China dominates global aquaculture, accounting for nearly 60% of total production. Other major producers include Indonesia, India, and Vietnam.

What is the State of Prawn Aquaculture in India?

  • About: Prawns, with their high protein and low fat content, are increasingly in demand both domestically and internationally 
    • A premium variety, the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), is highly valued for its size and quality. 
    • These prawns require salinity levels of 10–25 grams/litre, compared to seawater which has 35 grams/litre. 
    • Andhra Pradesh is the largest contributor to prawn production in India followed by West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Gujarat. 
      • In coastal Andhra Pradesh, brackish groundwater is blended with freshwater from rivers and canals. 
  • Innovative Practices by Farmers: Siva Rama Rudraraju from Andhra Pradesh pioneered the use of smaller ponds to improve yield and reduce pathogen risks. 
    • Smaller ponds help contain economic losses during disease outbreaks. 
    • Each cycle lasts 4–6 months, after which ponds are dried and cleaned. 
  • Disease Control in Prawn Aquaculture: Bacterial infections like Vibrio harveyi and viral outbreaks such as white spot syndrome can cause up to 25% annual losses in yield. 
    • Control Measures: 
      • Farmers cover ponds with plastic nets to prevent crow-borne contamination. 
      • Probiotics such as Bacillus bacteria are added to outcompete harmful pathogens without harming prawns. 
      • ICAR-CIBA in Chennai has developed 'specific pathogen free' broodstock, reared in biosecure environments and certified to be disease-free. 
      • Phage therapy uses bacteriophage viruses that specifically target Vibrio bacteria without harming other organisms. 

Government's Initiatives Related to Seafood Production 

The Blue Economy