The Hindu Business Line : Centre clears farming of vannamei shrimp

Responding positively to the long pending demand of the aquaculture and seafood export industry, the Union Ministry of Agriculture has granted permission to farm the exotic Litopenaeus Vannamei species of shrimp in the country.

Separate notification

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has notified the guidelines for import of the species and its cultivation in India. A separate notification carries the guidelines for hatchery production and culture of the species.

The permission for importing brood-stock of vannamei is to be granted by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority keeping the annual requirements in mind. The imports are subject to bio-security and quarantine requirements, including isolated water supply systems and water treatment facilities. Restrictions have also been placed on import permit and port of entry.

The Coastal Aquaculture Authority would assess the annual requirement of specific pathogen-free vannamei brood-stock before providing import permits to eligible applicants. The Coastal Aquaculture Authority would in consultation with the National Fisheries Development Board, Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture and the Marine Products Export Development Authority shortlist the vannamei suppliers based on the genetic base and disease-free status. Import would be permitted only from such suppliers and Chennai would be the only permitted port of entry for the brood-stock.

Quarantine norms

The pre-border quarantine requirements include certification that the batch of exported brood-stock were held in quarantine for a period of 12 days and should be pathogen-free. Also, a certificate indicating the history of disease occurrence in the brood-stock rearing facility of the exporter should be furnished. Separate guidelines and safeguards required of hatcheries of vannamei shrimp have also been published.

Only hatcheries which are registered under the Coastal Aquaculture Act would be permitted to import the brood-stock and produce seedlings. Prior to the rearing of vannamei, the facility would require the approval of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority and it should have strict bio-security controls. The seafood industry in general has welcomed the notification and said that it would help to boost shrimp exports from the country. While the Indian black tiger was able to build up global brand recognition, India was not able to achieve its full potential in the absence of vannamei shrimp culture and exports.

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