Possibility of using polythene lined ponds for Mariculture in sandy beaches

Vast stretches of sandy seashores are at present lying unutilised. These sandy areas are not suited for Agricultural operation. Neither are they considered suitable for aquaculture due to the porous nature of the Soil and resultant seepage of water. However, if this seepage of water could be prevented by some means these areas could be utilised for aquaculture purposes. Experiments have been conducted at the calicut Research centre of central marine fisheries research institute in this direction. These experiments have proved that the seepage of water through the soil could be prevented by suitably lining the ponds with black polythene film. Although the use of polythene film is quite prevalent in agriculture for various purposes, it has not so far been of much use in aquaculture. The conversion of these sandy shores into productive aquaculture ponds by providing polythene lining for them has shown bright possibilities of utilising extensive areas for aquaculture and a report on this method is presented here