The study was conducted in 1992 in the five rivers of Satkhira coastal region to assess the extent of damage caused by the collectors of Penneus monodon post-larvae on other shrimp species, fin fish and  macrozooplankton  population. It has revealed that for each P. monodon post-larva, about 38 larvae of other shrimps, 6 of fin fish and 56 maaozooplanktors were killed. The number of shrimp seed collectors has been increasing rapidly with the increase in demand of shrimp seeds. An average of 78 P. monodon post-larvae were collected per person per day during the peak period. The seed collectors caused a serious damage to other shrimps, fin fishes and macmzooplankton, thus adversely affecting the natural productivity and ecological balance of the estuary.

penaus monodon, seed collection, damage to ecosystem