SEAFDEC/AQD Scientists to Boost Shrimp Farming

Scientists of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department have a new challenge – to perk up shrimp farming and boost the industry which has been a “risky” business for decades.

“The many constraints and problems besetting the industry for years, have made the industry so,” Dan Baliao, SEAFDEC/AQD chief said.

“We are launching our banner program ‘Oplan Balik Sugpo’ to revive the shrimp industry in the Philippines,” Baliao added.

To pave the way for this, scientists at the Fish Health Section of the department has developed technologies to improve protocols to immediately spot any sign of disease in prawns.

Baliao said that the scientists are now developing a culture technique that will consider factors like temperature, photo period, bird migration, and season.

“These factors can enhance growth of pathogens so the scientists are developing efficient and effective use of probiotics as priorities,” Baliao said.

On the other hand, the Shrimp Brood stock Development Team is now implementing an improved scheme of brood stock selection, by thorough screening in the different stages of fry growth.

The scientists said they are also establishing and refining quarantine and biosecurity measure and protocol.

Meanwhile, the Nutrition and Feed Development Team is set to test the development of low-cost diet to reduce production cost with more alternative local feed ingredients.

The scientists said that finding an ideal diet for shrimp is a recurring concern of farmers and pond operators.

SEAFDEC/AQD said that despite high production cost for shrimp farming, the promise of high profit can be tempting, as the local market can command a price ranging from P400 to P600 per kilogram.

The department has vowed that along with its revival of the industry is the goal to make it globally competitive in the world market.  (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)