(vasep.com.vn) Whiteleg shrimp has showed its great advantage in Vietnam shrimp production, processing, and exports since 2008 when the species is officially allowed to raise on the large scale by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Whiteleg shrimp output surged to nearly 180,000 MT in 2011. The shrimp contributed to compensating for loss of black tiger shrimp caused by epidemic last year, ensuring supply of raw shrimp for processing. In 2011, out of total shrimp export value of Vietnam, whiteleg shrimp made up a remarkable proportion of 29 percent with the growth of 70 percent over 2010.
In the first four months of 2012, whiteleg shrimp exports kept rising while black tiger shrimp exports fell sharply. Black tiger shrimp is losing its lustre due to plague whereas whiteleg shrimp is showing off its strong points and it is highly appreciated by other shrimp producers and foreign consumers. However, in medium and long term, whiteleg shrimp production in Vietnam would face a lot of problems for a sustainable development due to low quality seed, disease, antibiotic residue…The government’s inadequate management makes whiteleg shrimp production in particular and shrimp production in general encounter a lot of obstacles and “bubble growth”.
Loose management in shrimp seed production
Now Vietnam can’t produce whiteleg shrimp broodstock, hereby the main supply of shrimp broodstock is imported. However, the government does not take the leading role in managing imported shrimp broodstocks. The quality of shrimp post-larvae is not monitored strictly which is one of main causes leading to massive mortality of shrimp in 2011 and the first months of 2012.
According to the Directorate of Fisheries, many key shrimp farming areas in Mekong Delta provinces are facing massive dead shrimp only after stocking for a month. Disease-infected area of whiteleg and black tiger shrimp farming rose drastically compared to the same period of 2011.
Domestic shrimp sector appeals to the government for close management of shrimp seed importing and producing with an aim to prevent diseases and avoid huge losses to shrimp farmers and orient shrimp exports towards a sustainable development.