This paper describes the establishment of a small farm complex of six ponds of different design for experimental brackishwater culture of shrimps and fish. It is located in Polekurru, near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India. An account is given of two years of culture trials of penaeid shrimps. The purpose was to identify suitable pond configurations and appropriate water management practices.

In response to a request for assistance in coastal aquaculture from Andhra Pradesh, BOBP arranged for a three-member Indonesian mission to help identify suitable activities. Based on their recommendations, a pilot project, including the design of the pond complex, was prepared by Mr. Narasimha Rao, Technical Coordinator of the Directorate of Fisheries in Hyderabad and Dr. M. Karim, Aquaculturist of the BOBP. The latter also supervised the implementation of the project, and the authors wish to acknowledge his inspiring work.

At the end of the culture trials (September 1985) described in this paper, an assessment of the socio-economic feasibility of pond culture in the Polekurru area was undertaken. The findings of this assessment will be reported separately.

The Polekurru project, and this paper which describes it, are activities of the small-scale fisheries project of the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP). The project is funded by SIDA (Swedish International Development Authority) and executed by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and covers five countries bordering the Bay of Bengal — Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The main goal of the project is to develop, demonstrate and promote appropriate technologies and methodologies to improve the conditions of small-scale fisherfolk in member countries.