A study on damage caused to crustacean and finfish larvae during collection of Penaeus monodon (Fab.) postlarvae in the estuaries of Barguna, Bangladesh

A year round investigation in the estuaries of Barguna district revealed that for each Penaeus monodon postlarvae (PL), about 37 larvae of other shrimp species, 12 finfishes and 10 macrozooplankters are destroyed during the process of shrimp seed collection. Although abundance of P. monodon PL was not recorded throughout the year, a significant number of other shrimp spp., fin fishes including macrozooplankters are being damaged by the shrimp seed collectors. This indiscriminate destruction of aquatic organisms during P. monodon PL collection is serious threat to aquatic biodiversity.

Gill-damage in netted Tilapia mossambica Peters

Tilapia mossambica taken with gill-nets are often found with their gills damaged. Gill-filaments may be partly or completely lost; sometimes even the gill-arches are all missing (Plate IA). The operculum is usually undamaged but may have its posteroventral border slightly frayed (Plate IB). For comparison normal fish are shown in Plates IC and ID. Incidence of gill-damage increases rapidly with length of time the nets remain in the water; in the Parakrama Samudra a mere 2-3 hour interval between setting and lifting results in 5 to 20% of the fish being damaged.