Bangladesh’s fisheries export, which is primarily dependent on the shrimp industry, has been experiencing a gradual decline since the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Experts suggested that if the issues are resolved in the production, then shipment of shrimps in Bangladesh could be increased by more than threefold using smart farming methods.
The first obstacle that country’s shrimp industry has, is lack of good quality PL. Most of the hatcheries in the country are using extensive method which is not suitable for getting optimum results. The broodstock in this system are unable to get proper nutrient which is required for desired result.
Utilizing live polychaetes during the maturation phase of penaeid shrimp broodstock enhances the quality and quantity of shrimp nauplii (larval stage) produced. In various regions of the world, laboratories for the maturation of shrimp use polychaetes captured from the natural environment; however, due to biosecurity concerns, this practice poses significant biological risks to the industry. Therefore, a source of high-quality maturation feeds that enhance shrimp reproduction and pose no biological hazards is required.
One of the factors that contribute to the success of shrimp hatchery operations is the availability of good-quality broodstock diets. Polychaetes have been regarded as the best maturation diet for shrimps as they contain essential nutrients required for the reproduction of shrimps. Consequently, the demand for polychaetes increased with the intensification of shrimp farming. Thus the natural stocks are depleting gradually and, could no longer provide a sustainable supply for shrimp hatcheries. In addition, the issue of biosecurity concerning wild polychaetes prompted the shrimp farmers to obtain polychaetes from reputable sources. Hence, the culture of polychaetes under controlled conditions has become a sustainable alternative.
Established in 2022, Niribili polychaete Worm farm is the leading polychaete-producing farm in Bangladesh. The farm is located in Sonar Para, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh. Its current production capacity is 2 metric tons a year. Dr. Ishaque Shariff, a zoologist from Berhampur University, and former senior researcher of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) India developed the farm With Niribili Fisheries Ltd.
Niribili polychaete Worm farm produces disease-free, live polychaetes (Perinereis nuntia) in Bangladesh. Polychaetes supply beneficial enzymes, amino acids, and essential hormones to stimulate reproduction in shrimp broodstock. The Bangladesh shrimp industry requires about 200 kilograms of marine worms a day.
For the culture of polychaete, specialized cement tanks (7x 2.5 x 0.3 meters), filled with a layer of coarse sand of 7mm are required. The tanks are not aerated but water is pumped in and out of the tanks to simulate natural tides.
Spawning is natural using six-month-old worms. Three days after hatching, 2,000 larvae polychaetes are moved into the grow-out tanks and harvested in four months. The survival rate is 30% from egg to the three-day-larval stage, and by harvest time, only 600 polychaetes remain in each tank.
the growing worms are given formulated feeds and a special nutritional supplement thrice a day. Before harvest, however, the feeding rate is increased to five times a day. Overall, the feed conversion ratio is 1:1.
In-coming water is treated before use and during the culture period. Probiotics are applied regularly to control water quality and toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide.
All production is passed through strict disease checks. The health certification covers checks for numerous diseases such as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), EHP. MBV Taura syndrome virus (TSV), infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV), vibriosis, parasites, and protozoa.
Bangladesh’s fisheries industry is one of the most dynamic food-producing industries, with the largest inundated wetland and the third largest aquatic biodiversity in Asia, after China and India. Shrimp, however, contributed the most to Bangladesh’s export fisheries sector.
There are over 80 hatcheries located throughout the country, 52 of which are active shrimp hatcheries. The annual demand for shrimp PLs exceeds eight to nine billion. Bangladesh shrimp hatcheries have produced 8-13 billion shrimp annually over the past five years.
Polychaetes however can contribute to the increased production of shrimp in Bangladesh. Its culture has been already proven viable. In general, hatcheries can get quality and more production of shrimp seeds. Research shows that by feeding shrimp broodstock with P. nuntia at 20-30% of their body weight per day, the broodstock can produce 2.5-3 million nauplii. This is double the production from broodstock feed.
Moreover, Bangladesh can export polychaetes to the global markets. Polychaetes are regarded as the most expensive (£/kg) of marine animals sold on the global fish market.
During 2021-22, India imported 2,76,346 numbers of SPF broodstock of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, and almost 300 MT polychaete worms that are used in shrimp hatcheries as a maturation diet. Almost 300 MT of polychaete worms is used in shrimp hatcheries in INDIA as a maturation diet. In the same year, Bangladesh also imported 5000 kg of polychaete for BDT 6000/KG
It was concluded that polychaete landings alone in the UK annually are worth approximately £52 million. Globally, this number is around £5.8 billion, with 121,000 tonnes of polychaete being landed worldwide. Presently, these worms are sourced from the wild and may potentially transfer pathogens to shrimp brooders. Therefore, the scientific production of SPF polychaete worms is the key to pathogen-free quality shrimp seed production.
Niribili Shrimp Hatchery is the first generation hatchery in Bangladesh. Niribili Shrimp Hatchery grew to be one of the largest shrimp hatcheries in Bangladesh by boasting a production capacity of 20 crores (200 million) of post-larvae black tiger shrimps (Penaeus monodon) per cycle. Under the experienced direction of Dr. Ishaque Shariff, polychaete production at the hatchery is presently advancing at a rapid rate.
Dr. Ishaque Shariff said: ‘Our target is to produce 40 metric tons per year in the next 5 years and export globally. we sell live, frozen, freeze-dry polychaetes too.’
According to Dr. Ishaque Shariff the only constraint in polychaete farming is the lack of Skilled manpower. He hoped in the future Bangladesh may lead in the farming sector among Asian countries while also exporting by meeting local demands.
‘We can help you know how to farm polychaete and help build your polychaete plant’, he added.
Bangladesh is a densely populated country of 147 570 km2 with a population of 130 million people. It is fortunate in having an extensive water resource in the form of ponds, natural depressions lakes, canals, rivers, and estuaries covering an area of 4.56 million ha.
Fisheries and aquaculture play a major role in nutrition, employment, and foreign exchange earnings with about 12 million people associated with the fisheries sector, of which 1.4 million people rely exclusively on fisheries-related activities. Through polychaete farming, it may be possible to increase shrimp production, thereby boosting the economy of the country.
Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU
