FRESHWATER PRAWN HARVESTING: A COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS

Three methods of harvesting Hawaiian freshwater prawn ponds are described: 1) Traditional (also called “Fuji,” after Fujimura, or “hukilau,” Hawaiian for community net fishing)-A seine is maneuvered around the pond by workers in the water who drag the net lead line with their feet as they encircle the catch. The seine is then closed into a bag and the prawns are removed. 2) Modified seining-A seine which spans the width of the pond is pulled from both ends simultaneously by tractors. The seine is pulled from one end of the pond to the other, concentrating the catch in the bag or live car enclosure. 3) Drain harvesting-Water is drained from the pond by gravity or by pumping, the screen is removed from the catch basin and a fish pump is used to pump the prawns into a dewatering box. The prawns are then transferred to holding tanks for sorting. The efficiencies and cost effectiveness of all three methods are discussed with recommendations relative to farm size.