Two jute sacks half-filled with chicken manure were suspended from the catwalks over
the ponds to allow slow but continuous release of nutrients into the water. The sacks were
removed after 2 months when fouling of the water was observed. As a substitute, inorganic
fertilizer ( 16-2&O) was applied at 25 kg/ha when necessary (visibility reading beyond
45 cm) after 50-75% of the water volume was replenished during spring tides. Agricultural
lime was applied at about 10 kg/pond when the water was turbid (due to suspended clay
particles) or to neutralize the acidity from the dikes after heavy rains.
At harvest, the coconut palms were removed and the ponds were totally drained at dawn.
Most shrimps were caught in the bag-nets and the others were handpicked. They were then
washed with clean pond water and placed in chilled water to maintain freshness.