Indian Crustacean Resources: Distribution, Commercial Exploitation, Utilization and Trade

The crustacean fisheries of India have considerable importance in the economy of the country, earning very valuable foreign exchange. Edible marine crustaceans consisting of prawns, lobsters and crabs form the most important constituents of the commercial fish landings of India. In 2009 the total marine crustacean landings were 493356 tonnes of which 83 per cent was constituted by prawns (penaeid and non-penaeid). This chapter discusses the important commercial species of prawns, lobsters and crabs of Indian coast