Shrimp and prawn post-larvae collection and impacts in Bangladesh.

Abstract Fry collection of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) fry from wild aquatic resources is a regular practice among the poorer section of the coastal communities in Bangladesh. In the early stages of aquaculture development, shrimp culture was limited to a few areas but the growing demand for shrimp on the international market has opened an avenue for many new entrepreneurs. Until recently, shrimp farmers stocked only wild fry on their farms. Fry collectors found this emerging sector a good additional source of income and successively made it their major livelihood. Concerns over the effect of this practice on biodiversity prompted the Government to ban fry collection, thus threatening the livelihood of fry collectors.