Talks on prawn seed collection at Godavari barrage end without breakthrough

The ban on the collection of wild prawn seed at the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage on the Godavari continues, as the second round of talks held in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Friday failed to yield a resolution. The collection season normally runs from October to February.

The first round of discussions was convened on December 23, 2025, by the Joint Collectors of East Godavari and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts. Representatives of the Dowleswaram Matsakara Sahakara Sangham of East Godavari and the Bobbarlanka Matsakara Sangham of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema participated in the meeting.

Both associations have been staking claim to the right to collect wild prawn seed from the Godavari at the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage. The seed is reportedly transported to Telangana and Maharashtra for commercial aquaculture.

At the second round of talks on Friday, Joint Collectors T. Nishanthi of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema and Y. Megha Swaroop of East Godavari reviewed the issue. However, no consensus was reached.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Nishanthi said the Irrigation and Fisheries Departments had been asked to submit a detailed report examining the potential impact of wild prawn seed collection on the structural stability of the barrage, the riverine ecology and aquatic species. She added that another round of talks would be held in the presence of the elected public representatives.