EFFECT OF STOCKING DENSITIES ON PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC RETURN FROM THE SHRIMP, PENAEUS MONODON (FABRICIUS) UNDER SEMI-INTENSIVE CULTURE SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

A study on production and economic return from the semi-intensive culture of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) in relation to the stocking densities of 12, 15, 18 and 21 PL/ m2 of 112 days culture period is presented. The study was conducted to determine the suitable stocking density for maximum economic return. The results of the four treatments, T1 (12 PL/m2), T2 (15 PL/m2), T3 (18 PL/m2) and T4 (21 PL/m2) show that during the culture period, average weight gain of the species was significant (p< 0.02) where the highest (27.53 + 0.28 g) and the lowest (22.16 + 0.44 g) weight was gained by the stocking density 12 PL/m2 (T1) and 21 PL/m2 (T4) respectively. The growth rate of the species also varied significantly (p<0.003). The results also showed that with the increasing of stocking density, the growth and survival rate of the species decreased although the total production (Kg/ha) increased. Simultaneously, with the increasing of total production in different treatments (with increased stocking density) the production costs also increased. It was observed thatthe highest (3327.5+121.5 kg/ha) and the lowest (2920.5+114.5 kg/ha) production was gained by the stocking density of 21 PL/ m2 (T4) and 12 PL/m2 (T1) respectively. However, the economic analysis showed that the trial with the stocking density 15 PL/m2 (T2) gained the highest (TK. 333701/ha/yr) economic return followed by the stocking 12 PL/m2 (T1) while the lowest return (TK. 280788/ha/yr) came from the highest stocking density, 21 PL/m2 (T4). This result indicated that increasing of stocking density may earn higher production but may not be suitable for increased economic return. Moreover, it could be a cause of economic loss.