The Department of Fisheries in Thailand has successfully unveiled two novel strains of Pacific white shrimp, which might revolutionize the country’s aquaculture industry. The introduction of Petchada 1, a fast-growing genotype, and Sida 1, a disease-resistant genotype, is poised to fortify and secure Thailand’s domestic shrimp-farming sector, as highlighted by Praphan Leepayakul, the deputy chief of the department.
These innovative strains might have the key to revitalizing the white shrimp farm numbers, which have faced a decline since 2012 due to the outbreak of Early Mortality Syndrome, also known as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (EMS-AHPND). Praphan emphasized the substantial damage inflicted on Thailand’s aquaculture sector by this bacterial disease and underscored the critical role these new strains will play in ensuring its resilience.
White shrimp, renowned for its demand in both domestic and overseas markets, serves as a major contributor to Thailand’s export revenue, generating an impressive average of 100 billion baht annually. The successful development of Petchada 1 and Sida 1 is anticipated to contribute significantly to the establishment of a sustainable shrimp industry, addressing the challenges posed by disease outbreaks and economic fluctuations.
The meticulous development of these strains involved collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and the Agricultural Research Development Agency. The team of marine biologists employed selective breeding and molecular genetic marker methods to create these advanced genotypes. In an effort to evaluate genetic diversity and study disease-free DNA, Pacific white shrimp strains from the United States, Guam, and Thailand were meticulously selected.
The shrimp underwent rigorous testing in a biosecure system to assess their growth capacity and genetic diversity. The findings of the study revealed that Thailand’s domestic strains emerged as the most promising base population for further development. Petchada 1, developed at the Genetic Aqua-Animal Research and Development Centre in Phetchaburi province, exhibited high growth potential compared to shrimp from other sources.
On the other hand, the Sida 1 breeder, originating from the Genetic Aqua-Animal Research and Development Centre in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, demonstrated the highest survival rate against EMS-AHPND, outperforming its counterparts. While still in the research and development phase, Praphan expressed optimism about the next steps, emphasizing the importance of testing these strains on a commercial scale. The aim is to mitigate losses among shrimp farmers and take a significant stride toward establishing a sustainable and robust shrimp industry in Thailand.
