Chennai: Nearly a decade after a deadly virus white spot syndrome delivered a killer blow to shrimp farming in India making native species like Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus) and iconic tiger prawn (Penaeus Monodon) ‘non-preferable’, scientists at Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) are now exploring ways to fix the problem and put back the native species back in reckoning.
The industry is currently dominated by Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), an exotic species imported from the United States in 2009 and now holding 90% share in cultivation. Though the American shrimp brings certain short-term advantages such as fast growth and disease free status, scientists say it is not sustainable in the long run as it will degrade the local ecology rapidly. Also, there are reports of attacks by a new disease Running Mortality Syndrome (RMS) in parts of Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala with increasing mortalities and crop failures, which is already threatening to cut down the production of vannamei this year by 30%. This calls for urgent need to diversify the shrimp to have multiple alternatives.
Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle, Dr K.K. Vijayan, Director, CIBA, revealed that an ambitious project is currently underway to selectively breed native Indian white shrimp and produce a specific pathogen free (SPF) species.“The American shrimp is also a SPF variety after successful selective breeding. Likewise, efforts are on to develop our own native SPF variety. Already basic work is done. Our scientists in the experimental station in Muthukadu, 30 km from Chennai on the East Coast Road, have developed the broodstock. We are hopeful of accomplishing the target in another two years provided we get adequate support”.
“Selective breeding is an expensive and time consuming process. We are partnering with private shrimp producers as well. Last year, India made a turnover of Rs 30,000 crore from seafood exports, out of which shrimp exports accounted for 70 per cent. If we can invest at least 0.5 per cent of total turnover on R&D, we can achieve and do a lot. There are several unexplored shrimp varieties, which can be pushed into domestic markets. I have held discussions with the ministry of agriculture and they are positive,” he said and added that as of now the focus was on selective breeding of Indian white shrimp and the next target would be the tiger prawn, which requires lot more attention.
