Bangladesh is about to step in a new era of shrimp aquaculture. In our earlier report on November ‘22, we have suggested Vannamei shrimp commercial farming in Bangladesh might start in the next shrimp season (March, 2023). It’s now about to get real.
The Govt. is going to give the green signal for commercial farming of Vannamei shrimp or White-leg shrimp. There has been several trial farming of Vannamei shrimp to assess the feasibility of this species prospect in Bangladesh by the Department of Fisheries (DoF).
Vannamei Shrimp is worldwide popular among the farmers for its high production and to consumers for its competitive price, especially in USA and EU countries. It has been in commercial farming practice in Asian countries for a long while now, but not in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh commercial shrimp aquaculture gained its popularity back in the 80’s. Ever since, the whole shrimp industry has been clung on to the Black Tiger and Freshwater shrimp. In the early 2000’s, Vannamei shrimp was introduced to Vietnam for the first time among Asian countries and they started farming widely within 2007. India has started Vannamei shrimp farming since 2008. Nowadays, China, India and Vietnam are the top tier among the shrimp producing countries.
Vannamei shrimp accounts for more than 70% of the total shrimp consumption in the world. But this most popular shrimp species has not been allowed in Bangladesh for farming by the respective authorities. It is not a native species of shrimp to Bangladesh. So, it has been anticipated that commercial farming of this species may be a threat to the environment and the biodiversity.
Shrimp exporters of Bangladesh first talked about the Vannamei back in 2004 to the authorities and since then it’s only been in the talking sphere. The shrimp exporters’ years of urge saw a light in the end of 2020 when the DoF (Department of fisheries) decided to run pilot projects on Vannamei farming for the first time.
In 2021, three projects were started to begin with and later more projects were added in steps. Total 12 projects were taken into account by the technical panel to reach a decision. In the end of October 2022, pilot projects were considered successful during an official harvesting program of BFRI (Bangladesh Fisheries Institute) pond at Paikgacha, Khulna.
Department of Fisheries DG Mr. Kh Mahbubul Haque said that the DoF is going to place a positive recommendation to the Fisheries & Livestock Ministry for final approval of commercial farming for Vannamei shrimp in Bangladesh.
He also added, we are expecting the ministry will give the decision within this month. If so, it will be possible to go for commercial farming in the coming shrimp season, starting from March.
Mr. Md Amin Ullah, president of BFFEA (Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association) expressed his joy on this occasion. He said, “It’s a historical achievement for us. This is about to bring a revolutionary change in shrimp production and a huge prospect in the frozen foods sector”.
“Shrimp export earnings will be doubled within the next five years by commercial farming of Vannamei,” he added.
In the answer to the questions of biodiversity and environmental issues for Vannamei shrimp commercial farming, DoF DG (Director General) Mr Haque said, “Our neighboring country India has been in commercial farming for many years now. It hasn’t caused any negative impact on biodiversity and environment. So, this species will not sustain and breed even if it goes off the farm.”
He added, “We will not allow farming of this species outside the coastal area. And only allow farms that can maintain certain conditions set by DoF, including biosecurity and water treatment. We will also permit hatcheries for production of Vannamei shrimp fry.”
Vannamei commercial farming is going to be the sigh of relief according to the shrimp exporters of Bangladesh. Out of 140 processing factories, only 35 of them are now active and rest are out of work due to the shortage of raw materials (shrimp).
Vannamei shrimp is not like extensive Black Tiger Shrimp farming. It requires supplementary food which are shrimp feeds from the market. These farms required all time aeration as the stock density is higher than Black Tiger. Water purification is also a regular task for the farmers.
Waste water management will be a risk for the environment, if the farms do not follow the rules set by the DoF. So, it has to be monitored precisely.
DoF can create zones for the Vannamei shrimp farming and limit it from being spread beyond the given areas. As it’s a new species for farming, DoF should make “farming manual” for the farmers, so they can follow and get optimum outputs.
It is surely a moment of triumph for the Bangladesh shrimp industry. Hopefully it will revive the sector and add more foreign exchange to the economy.
