In a bid to increase shrimp production and promote the livelihood of fishermen fishing in Pak Bay and Gulf of Mannar, the Mandapam regional centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Thursday launched a sea ranching programme by releasing seeds of penaeus semisulcatus’ (green tiger shrimp) species. On noticing that over-fishing of brooders (parent shrimps) and juveniles had resulted in drastic depletion of shrimp resources in the region, CMFRI launched the sea ranching programme, releasing about two lakh shrimp of 50 days old post larvae shrimp seeds in the Palk Bay at Thonithurai, near Mandapam on Thursday. The seeds, which were already 50 days old, would be available for harvest in four months time, Mr Abdul Nazar, CMFRI Scientist in-charge said. We expect 30% to 40% survival rate and each shrimp will grow to 18 to 20 gms in the next four months, he told reporters. Officials from the fisheries department and fishermen leaders, including U Arulanandham, P Sesu Raja and N J Bose, were among those present. The CMFRI proposed to make series of sea ranching of this shrimp species and crab species of portunus pelagicus’ (blue swimmer crab), he said. The sea ranching would take place every month with the involvement of the local fishermen, he said adding the local fishermen had identified three or four locations for release of the seeds. The CMFRI, as part of its activity, proposed to continue the ranching for a year to ensure replenishment of natural stock. CMFRI had raised the two lakh shrimp seeds at the cost of Rs. 40,000, he said. After a year, CMFRI would decide on continuing the programme after studying the funding availability, he added. Sea ranching would also help to conserve and maintain sustainable shrimp stocks in the wild, he said. In this connection, CMFRI was conducting research on hatchery production of shrimp seeds, the scientist added.