Cyclone Aila Swamps Shrimp Farms in Bangladesh

On Monday, May 25, 2009, Cyclone Aila swamped the coast of southwest Bangladesh, killing over 150 people and damaging houses, roads and crops.  The homes of 75,000 families—375,000 people—are still damaged or underwater a month after the storm hit.

In southwest Bangladesh, marine shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farmers utilized around 170,000 hectares of ponds, and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farmers utilize another 50,000 hectares of ponds.  Together they provide the main source of income in the area.

An eight to ten foot high tidal surge flooded most of the shrimp farms in three districts: Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat.  The storm took place when the regions’ first shrimp crop of the season was about to be harvested.  Most of it was lost, and it won’t be easy for farmers to restock because the supply of wild postlarvae is not good at this time of the year.

In its 2007-2008 accounting year, Bangladesh exported shrimp and prawns worth $534 million, mostly to the European Union and the United States.

Khulna Division: Bangladesh is divided into six administrative divisions: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal.  Within the Khulna Division in the southwest, the districts of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat are the heart of the country’s shrimp farming industry.

Abdul Bakir, Vice President of the Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters’ Association (BFFEA), said, “We’ve estimated about a $143-million loss as shrimp from around 70 percent of the farms were washed away due to the cyclone.”  Bakir said the Khulna Division, responsible for producing 80 percent of the country’s exports of frozen foods, mostly farmed shrimp, is home to nearly 86,000 shrimp farms.  He said nearly 1.3 million people in Khulna are heavily dependent on shrimp farming.

Belayet Hossain, immediate past president of BFFEA, said, “We have information that more than 50 percent of the farms have so far been affected in three major growing districts in the region....”

Satkhira District: Golam Reza, a lawmaker in Satkhira, who visited the flooded areas said, “Around 10,000 shrimp ghers (farms) in Shyamnagar have been inundated.  ...I am visiting the areas from morning, and there is no shrimp farm that remained unaffected.  It is like a sea here.”

At least 7,117 shrimp ponds on 26,028 hectares were flooded by the huge tidal surge.

Abdul Wadud, district fisheries officer-in-charge, said about 2,707 tons of shrimp were washed away by the tidal surge that breached coastal levies (called “embankments” in Bangladesh) at many points.

“Shrimp fries worth around $565 thousand were washed away in the cyclone while the loss of shrimp and damage to shrimp ponds has been estimated at $13.5 million and $3.5 million,” he said.

Nurul Alam, a shrimp farmer, said his seven shrimp ponds were completely washed away by the tidal surge.  “I was farming shrimp and fish worth around $145,000 in my enclosures since January.  But all were washed away by tidal surge,” he said.  Last year, Nurul sold shrimp and fish worth around $1.5 million.

Bagerhat District: The Bagerhat Shrimp Cultivators’ Association (BSCA) has demanded that the government declare Bagerhat District a disaster zone.  BSCA President Elias said the storm washed away 50 to 55 percent of the shrimp ponds in the district.  He noted that shrimp farmers have no alternative but to go into hiding or commit suicide because they have no way of paying off their loans.

Bank Relief: In the wake of cyclone Aila, the Central Bank of Bangladesh has announced economic relief measures for shrimp farmers that include the suspension of payments for one year and the rescheduling of loans.  All banks have been directed to ensure smooth and timely disbursement of farm loans and all necessary action to prevent farmers from being unduly harassed for repayments.

Shrimp Farms Contributed to the Destruction of Aila: Begum Motia Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Agriculture Minister, said that the illegal water gates cut into the levies by shrimp farmers in Satkhira and Khulna contributed to the damage caused by Aila.  The illegal gates weakened the levies, allowing Aila to break through and flood the districts.  The minister said that the government would take the necessary steps to ensure that the shrimp farmers use pipes or hoses instead of water gates to add water to their ponds.  “They cut the embankment mainly because they get the shrimp fry from the natural sources and this whole practice is free of cost,” she said.

Video: This one-minute video of Aila mentions shrimp farming and shows the flooding of what appears to be rice paddies or shrimp ponds.

Sources: 1. TheDailyStar.com.  Aila Ravages Shrimp Farms in Satkhira.  June 1, 2009.  2. Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Cyclone Aila deals severe blow to Bangladesh’s shrimp sector destroying 50-70% of shrimp stock.  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 1-781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  May 27, 2009.  3. The Financial Express.  Frozen Food Sector Likely to Face Setback.  Jasim Uddin Haroon.  May 27, 2009.  4. YouTube.  Cyclone Aila Ravages Bangladesh.  May 27, 2009.  5. AlertNet.org (Thomson Reuters Foundation).  ACT Alert: Cyclone Aila, Bangladesh.  Elisabeth Gouel (http://www.act-intl.org).  May 29, 2009.  6. GROWfish (Gippsland Aquaculture Industry Network, Inc.).  GROWfish eNewsletter (subscribehtml@growfish.com.au).  Declare Bagerhat shrimp farm disaster zone.  May 31, 2009.  7. BD24News.com.  BB Announces Relief Measures for Aila-Hit.  June 2, 2009.  8. FishUpdate.com.  ASIA Discuss Bangladesh Shrimp Policy with Minister.  June 12, 2009.  9. Google.com/hostnews.  Bangladesh Cyclone Victims Homeless for Months.  Julie Clothier.  June 25, 2009.

Country Reports

Australia

Bioflocs and the Larval Culture of Penaeus monodon

Abstract: In this study, postlarval (PL-15) tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) were grown for 49 days in tank systems at stocking densities of 2,500 and 5,000 shrimp m³, with and without the addition of artificial substrates (non-buoyant AquaMats®) at each density.  Tanks received a daily carbon source (tapioca powder) to promote a microbial community and improve water quality.  There was no water exchange during the study.

Average shrimp weight at harvest ranged from 0.20 grams at the lower stocking density (no added substrate) to 0.40 grams at the higher stocking density (with added substrate).  Shrimp growth was significantly greater (P < 0.05) when substrates were added, but growth was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by stocking density.  Shrimp survival averaged 58.3% across all treatments and was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by stocking density or substrate.  A maximum mean harvest density of 2,956 shrimp m³ and biomass of 1.11 kilograms m³ were produced at a stocking density of 5,000 m³ with added substrates.

Harvest density significantly increased (P < 0.05) with stocking density but was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the addition of substrate.  Biomass significantly increased (P < 0.05) with stocking density and addition of substrate.  Mean total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at the higher density with no added substrate.

The results demonstrated that the addition of substrates increased growth and further enhanced production, while also contributing to better water quality.  Growth and survival were not affected by stocking density; therefore greater production outputs were achieved at the higher density.

Source: Aquaculture (the journal).  High-intensity, Zero Water-Exchange Production of Juvenile Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus monodon: An Evaluation of Artificial Substrates and Stocking Density.  Stuart J. Arnold (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 120, Cleveland, Queensland 4163, Australia), Frank E. Coman, Chris J. Jackson and Sarah A. Groves.  Volume 293, Issues 1-2, Pages 42-48, August 1, 2009.

India

Bioflocs in Nursery Culture

In a recirculation system, the use of bioflocs to control ammonia is a good way to reduce the size of the filtration system.

A trial was conducted at the Aqua Nova Hatchery in July 2007.  The objective of the trial was to determine if biofloc production in recirculated nurseries would reduce feed and filtration costs.  Shrimp were fed to satiation eight times a day with starter feed pellets.  A probiotic containing a Bacillus species was added along with molasses at 50% of feed weight until a brown colored bacterial bloom was achieved.  This bloom was maintained at a Secchi disk reading of about 50 cm by regularly adjusting the daily addition of molasses and regulating the flow rate of the recirculating system.

It was observed that the incidence of appendage necrosis and ciliate infestation increased tremendously when the Secchi disk reading went below 40 cm.  The thickness of the biofloc was accordingly adjusted to be in the range of Secchi disk reading of 50 to 60 cm by regulating the recirculation flow rates as well as controlling the addition of molasses.  The molasses addition was in the range of 30% to 50% of the pellet feed weight.

Based on results from this trial and other trials, the researchers concluded:

• Pellet feed input was less when biofloc was used.  With Penaeus indicus the average food conversion ratio (FCR) improved from 1.6 to 0.8.  This would reduce average feed input by nearly 50%!  With P. monodon the reduction in FCR was from 2 to 1.25, which would reduce the feed input by about 37.5%.  This could be achieved by using regular starter feeds, instead of expensive raceway or nursery diets, without compromising growth rates or overall health and survival rates.

• P. indicus grew from 16.5 to 225 milligrams, while P. monodon grew from 15.5 mg to 125 mg.  Results indicated that higher densities may be possible with indicus because it utilizes the entire water column, while monodon requires something to sit on.  With monodon, increases in density and decreases in FCR may be possible by increasing the surface area in nursery tanks.

• Shrimp biomass maintained with bioflocs was more than double that of the biomass maintained without bioflocs.

• With the above increase in density, it will be possible to reduce the nursery infrastructure cost by more than 50%.  Operating costs would also be substantially reduced due to the reduced feed input costs.

• With the use of bioflocs, it is possible that some components of the filtration system could be excluded.

Source: AQUA Culture AsiaPacific (Editor/Publisher, Zuridah Merican, email zuridah@aquaasiapac.com).  Marine Shrimp/How Biofloc Technology Reduces Feed and Filtration Costs in Recirculated Shrimp Nursery Systems.  Anil Chanekar (anilghanekar@yahoo.com, Ecosecure Systems, which designs recirculating aquaculture systems and water treatment equipment).  Volume 5, Number 3, Page 10, May/June 2009.

Mexico

Sinaloa—Whitespot

Miguel Humberto Olea Ruiz, president of the Aquaculture Health Committee in the state of Sonora, said the whitespot virus has been found on several shrimp farms in the state of Sinaloa.  Strict measures will be taken to prevent it from spreading north into Sonora.  The states of Sonora and Sinaloa produce 90% of Mexico’s farmed shrimp.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Shrimp Farms in Mexico under Alert Due to Whitespot, Sonora Imposes Transport Regulations (translated by Angel Rubio Canas).  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 1-781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  June 11, 2009.

New Caledonia

Markea Prawns Grows Penaeus stylirostris

The western blue shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris), or “stylie”, has a very distinct taste, not bland like other shrimp.  In the pond, it grows to a larger size than P. vannamei, but requires higher water quality and oxygen levels. New Caledonia sells only raw, whole, individually quick frozen stylies.

Information: Maria Braun-Miller, General Manager, Markea Prawns of New Caledonia, 960 Front Street, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761, USA (phone 1-808-661-4600, fax 1-808-661-5068, email marlapbraun@mac.com, webpage http://www.markeaprawns.com).

Source: SeaFood Business.  Special Advertising Section (companies featured in this supplement were advertisers in previous issues of Seafood Business).  Editor-in-Chief, Fiona Robinson (frobinson@divcom.com).  Product Profiles/Markea Prawns of New Caledonia.  Page-22, June 2009.

Philippines

Shipping Shrimp without Water

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office in Bicol is adopting a technology that allows fish and shrimp to be shipped without water.

BFAR has forged an agreement with Buhi Waterless Fish Transport Technology (BWFTT) to develop the technology for commercial applications.  Bonifacio Comandante, Jr., owner of BWFTT and the inventor of the technology, did not reveal how the technology worked, but did say that it could make fish and shrimp “hibernate or sleep” and that they could be revived by putting them back in water.

Although initial laboratory tests conducted by BFAR showed no traces of toxins or abnormalities in treated animals, tests will have to be conducted to ensure that no harmful residues [of what, was not mentioned] are found.

Information: Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources/Bicol, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Building, Elliptical Road Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines (phone +63-2-929-9597, email info@bfar.da.gov.ph, webpage http://www.bfar.da.gov.ph).

Source: Business Mirror.  Filipino Invention Lets Fish Live Without Water.  June 15, 2009.

Thailand

Strong Baht Hurts Shrimp Exporters

Shrimp exporters have expressed alarm at the continued strength of the baht, forecasting that exports could fall by 20% this year if the baht climbs to 33 against the USA dollar.

According to Panisuan Jamnarnwej, president of the Thai Frozen Food Association, a strong baht reduces the competitiveness of Thai shrimp in world markets.  Thai shrimp prices dropped by 15 baht per kilogram after the baht went from 36 to 34 to the dollar.  Panisuan said,  “We are calling on the government to help manage the baht to stay at about 36 baht per dollar to make our products comparatively competitive.  ...Should the baht strengthen further, to average 33 baht, we believe shrimp processing plants for exports will stage a rally against the government.”

In a bid to shore up local shrimp prices, the Internal Trade Department’s working panel and the Thai Frozen Food Association have finalized guidelines for the Farmers Assistance Policy Committee.  The guidelines include a proposal for the government to provide interest-free loans of $41 million to companies that purchase shrimp directly from farmers.

Another proposal would compensate shrimp farmers when production costs rise above market prices.

The Farmers Assistance Policy Committee also gave the green light to the government’s plan to purchase 10,000 tons of Penaeus vannamei shrimp from June until October 2009.  Under the program, 1 kilogram of 40 shrimp would be priced at $4.55, 1 kg of 50 shrimp at $3.96, 1 kg of 60 shrimp at $3.67, 1 kg of 70 shrimp at $3.23 and 1 kg of 80 shrimp at $2.93.

On June 8, 2009, the benchmark price for 1 kg of 60 shrimp was quoted at $3.08, up from $2.93 the previous week, but still much lower than $3.52 in April, $3.75 in March, $3.84 in February and $3.64 in January.

Source: Bangkok Post.  Shrimp exporters demand action on strong baht.  Phusadee Arunmas.  June 9, 2009.

Thailand

Video—Advertisement, Great View of Thai Shrimp Farming

This slow-moving, nine-minute video with gentle guitar music in the background and English language captions is an advertisement for a bacterial product that treats pond bottoms.  It also provides a great look at small-scale shrimp farming in Thailand.  You’ll especially like the footage of a “tractor” used to cultivate the pond bottom and mix in the probiotic.  The video also shows long arm aerators, the natural food that develops on the bottom of a pond, murky underwater shots of shrimp on feeding trays and a harvest.

Information: Microtack (organic aquaculture and wastewater treatment supplies), Baxel Co., Ltd., 240/26-27 Moo 2, Suksawat Road, Rajaburana, Bangkok 10140 Thailand (phone 66-2873-1330, fax 66- 2873-1055, email info@microtack.com, webpage http://www.microtack.com).

Source: YouTube.  Shrimp Aquaculture.  June 11, 2009.

United States

Alabama—Shrimp Fishery Near Collapse

The Associated Press reports:

Ho Van Le, who trawls in the Gulf of Mexico aboard his 50-foot vessel Star Light, understands the price squeeze facing shrimpers as this year’s season gets under way amid a global recession.

“Diesel high, shrimp go down,” Le said.

Once a trade that kept bayou families afloat for generations, shrimping is beset by imports flooding the market, rising fuel prices and a spate of hurricanes that have kept costs high.

The numbers in 2008 were devastating.  As fuel prices climbed past $4 a gallon and hurricanes Gustav and Ike battered the coast, production fell to 188 million pounds, the lowest level since 1975.

Bayou La Batre, which bills itself as the seafood capital of Alabama, has lost 200 of its 300 shrimp boats since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.

Gulf shrimp—whites, pinks and browns—typically represent about 80 percent of the total domestic shrimp landings, with the Pacific shrimp fishery accounting for about 11 percent, the Atlantic 8 percent and New England 1 percent.

While domestic shrimpers struggle to bring in 250 million to 300 million pounds, imports surpass 1.2 billion pounds a year.

Overall production seems to be up this year, but the price for large shrimp—favored by restaurateurs—is down 20 percent.  Mike Travis, an economist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said seafood wholesalers have an excess inventory of larger shrimp and “cannot move them.”

Source: Google.com/Hostednews.  Low tide: Shrimp industry hit by imports, prices.  Garry Mitchell. June 16, 2009.

United States

Oregon—Shrimp Processor Stops Buying Wild-Caught Shrimp

Hallmark Fisheries, a processor, has stopped purchasing shrimp from fishermen.  After two months of relatively good wild harvests, Hallmark says that it has no more freezer space.  Because it’s a long season, there is hope that Hallmark might start buying shrimp again before the season is over.

Pacific Seafoods, another major West Coast shrimp processor, continued to buy shrimp.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Hallmark Fisheries Halts Shrimp Buying in Oregon, Says Storage Full.  John Sackton.  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 1-781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  June 5, 2009.

United States

Virginia—Video, Virginia Shrimp Farms

For a one-minute, 3-D, animated tour of Virginia Shrimp Farm’s research facility, click on the link below.

Source: YouTube.  3d Model Animation Tour of Virginia Shrimp Farms.  No Date.

United States

Washington DC—Shrimp Imports in April 2009

In April 2009, USA shrimp imports increased for the second consecutive month, reaching 83.1 million pounds, up 6.3 percent from April 2008, according to figures the National Marine Fisheries Service released on June 10, 2009.

After falling 13.2 percent in January 2009 and 13.8 percent in February 2009, shrimp imports rebounded in March and April, jumping 8.7 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.

For the first four months of 2009, however, shrimp imports were still down 4.2 percent from the same period in 2008, to 336.3 million pounds.

China’s and Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the United States dropped 32.9 percent and 20.9 percent, respectively.  Through April, shrimp imports from China totaled 23.2 million pounds, while imports from Vietnam came in at 18.4 million pounds.

Shrimp imports from Thailand—by far the United States’ biggest shrimp supplier—were down 1.4 percent through April 2009, to 101.1 million pounds, while imports from Indonesia were down only 0.7 percent, to 61.3 million pounds.

Shrimp imports from Ecuador were up 7.7 percent through April 2009, to 48.9 million pounds.

Thailand, Indonesia, Ecuador, Vietnam and China were the United States’ top five shrimp suppliers in 2008, representing nearly three-quarters of total USA shrimp imports, which exceeded 1.24 billion pounds.

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  Editor Steven Hedlund (shedlune@divcom.com).  Seafood News/Supply and Trade/U.S. shrimp imports jump in April U.S. shrimp imports jump in April.  June 11, 2009.

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