The Hindu Business Line : `Allow exotic shrimp imports'

DR M. SAKTHIVEL, President of the Aquaculture Foundation of India, at the inaugural of a training programme in shrimp hatcheries in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. — C.V. Subrahmanyam

Visakhapatnam March 11 It is high time the Union Government took a considered decision on the import of the brood stocks of exotic, disease-resistant shrimp into the country in order to save the aqua industry and farming, according to Dr M. Sakthivel, President of the Aquaculture Foundation of India and former chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

At the inaugural of a month-long training programme for healthy shrimp seed production, being organised by Andhra University's Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Cell here on Sunday, he said the Hawaii Institute of Shrimp had developed a genetically modified, disease-free white shrimp, Vennamei, and several south-east Asian countries were importing the brood stocks and boosting their production levels.

He said, "China in particular is beating us hollow. Their average production is five tonnes per hectare in comparison with our one tonne and while their production cost is Rs 80 per kg, ours works out to Rs 180. Our aqua farmers and trade stand no chance."

Dr Sakthivel said in principle he was not for importing exotic marine species, as one would have to consider carefully the attendant perils and problems. "But in this case we seem to have no choice. Our scientists have so far made no headway in developing a disease-resistant tiger shrimp and the prospects seem to be bleak. Therefore, we have to consider import," he said.

He said two companies in Andhra Pradesh had been allowed to import the disease-resistant shrimp species on a trial basis, but due to procedural hassles the companies had given up on the attempt. Dr Dilip Kumar, Director of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, and several others emphasised the importance of disease-free shrimp seed for the prosperity of aquaculture and the industry.

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