Collection of prawn/shrimp seed from natural resources is an age-old practice among the farmers in coastal areas of three coastal districts. Culture of tiger shrimp has gained momentum over the last decade in many parts of the world due to its high export value. Generally, the catchers belong to poor community of the society. The exact number of wild prawn seed catcher has not been assessed. However, as per the estimation by the Fishermen ’s Association approximately 25,000 people (7000 men and 18,000 women) are engaged in wild collection of prawn seeds. Out of 25,000, approximately 8,000 people (6000 women and 2000 men) operate in core areas of Sunderbans. It extremely difficult to assess the exact number due to the fact that when there is availability of seeds in the estuary people from various areas plunge in for the booty, who otherwise are agricultural labours. A collection of 1000 seeds gets them around Rs 500/-. It has been reported that during P. monodon seed-collection other fish species also be collected and this practice cause’s indiscriminate destruction of natural resources of estuarine faunas, which may have an adverse effect on the estuarine ecology and fisheries. The by-catch comprises a wide variety of fish and shrimp species of commercial importance. It is reported about 36 species of finfish and 18 species of shellfishes are destroyed as by catch.

Some Steps has been taken by the Fisheries Department to counter the problem through :

1. WB Inland Fisheries Rules 1985,Rule No 46

• Sub Rule(1)----use of nets having 12mm mesh or below in open waters is banned.
• Sub Rule (2)----use of nets having 25mm mesh or below in open waters is banned between 15th June to 30th September.

2. WB Marine Fisheries Regulation Rules 1995, Rule no 50

• Sub Rule (4)----Shooting or any bag net made of mosquito netting can not be used for catching seedling of marine fish and prawn, in coastal areas, esturine mouths, creeks and canals including the Sunderbanareasof the state. This is in accordance to Wild life Protection Act 1972.
• Sub Rule (5)----In the afore stated areas there shall be no fishing from March to June each year.

But in true sense the mechanism of strict enforcement against the wild seed collectors does not work due to the geographical/physiographic/social issues and lack of alternate income options in the difficult terrain.

It consists of providing some means of income to the seed collectors and to bring them away from the hazardous practice of prawn seed collection. As land availability and other resource are scarce, providing self sustaining options in the form of Bicycle with AlmuniumHundi for fish vending have been proposed which will serve the dual purpose of vending and using the cycle for other purposes. 

Assistance under this scheme has been provided in terms of Bi-cycle 22’’ with specially fabricated carrier for carrying Hundi, Alluminium hundi(wt 2.5 kg, dia 50 cm) as Government Contributions.

• At present Government assistance is of Rs.7200 (Bi-cycle 22’’ and aluminium hundi) is provided under this scheme.