INTRODUCTION
India is endowed with a long coastline and hence offers scope for large exploitation of marine wealth. Till a few
years back, fishermen in India were involving themselves in traditional marine fishing. In the seventies
fishermen started concentrating on catching prawns more commonly known as `shrimps' due to high profitable
return on the same on account of their export value. Brackish water prawn farming started in a big way during
91-94 especially in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Subsequently due to disease
problems, litigation in supreme court and other social and environmental problems the sector suffered a huge set
back and most of the corporate farms were closed. However, the small units continued to do farming and
adopting extensive prawn farming systems. The shrimp farming has now been regulated with the establishment
of Aquaculture Authority of India as per directions of Supreme Court for issuing licenses and overall
supervision. It is commonly said that after Green and White Revolution in India, it is time for Blue Revolution
to exploit the huge potential in fisheries sector. Shrimps are called the "Pinkish Gold" of the sea because of its
universal appeal, unique taste, high unit value and increasing demand in the world market.
