TEHRAN (SHILNA) -- According to Hossein Shadkami, a fisheries expert, shrimp is one of the most sensitive aquatics preserving great economical and nutritional values. This creature has been exploited through history by coastal societies around the world. Shrimp is a significant ring in the food chain of other aquatics, that is to say, it is consumed by most of other fishes as a rich source of protein.

This aquatic is very sensitive to environmental changes such as PH, temperature, salinity, rainfall, pollutants, etc. The maximum age of shrimp is estimated to be two years and since it is easily hunted by other fishes, its short life period is of great importance that should be taken into account.

Its habitats have been invaded heavily in the recent years, the fatal results of which could be seen easily nowadays.

Shrimp is continuously exploited through year by using destructive fishing gear such as bottom trawl, and gillnets.

As said, this aquatic is mostly fished by nonstandard and fatal bottom trawling that causes a discard and by catch 15-20 times more than shrimp catch on boards. In addition, such fishing method destroys coral reefs and bottom plants.

It should be noted shrimp catch has reduced from 4000 t to 1000 t (over 70 %) which means this stock is on the edge of danger that, in turn, can affect other resources seriously. As a consequence, all resources in the area will slump.

Sustainable fishing management can prevent the present crisis from getting worse in case all necessary regulations are applied and if it is cooperated by all involved in exploiting shrimp resources.