Prawn exports hit 950 mt mark

The prawn farming industry netted in record profits by supplying 1,100 metric tons of prawns to the domestic market and 950 metric tons to the export market, accruing large amounts of foreign exchange.

However, adequate research should be done on the outbreak of the deadly viral diseases that ravage and infect shrimp farms especially in the North Western province.

Significant losses were reported due to infected 'Mother brooders' procured from 'cultured' prawn hatcheries that kill shrimps instantly and potent vaccines are needed to curb the epidemic.

In the preceding years especially in the 1988-1998 period, 'White spot disease' and other diseases which were lethal and contagious spelled disaster, devastating a large number of farms which dotted the Chilaw-Puttalam region and owned by enterprising prawn farmers.

Demand

It is common knowledge that 'Mother brooders' spawn baby prawns or prawn-fry in hatcheries in large numbers as fishermen are unable to net a good catch of mother brooders from the sea.

The hatchery owners are saddled with the problem of hatching baby prawns on a regular basis. The supply of prawns does not meet demand though there is no scarcity of prawn supplies to the wholesale market, hotels and restaurants.

This was highlighted at a press conference under the aegis of the Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Alliance (SLADA) in connection with its 10th anniversary at the Ananthaya Hotel at Bangadeniya, Chilaw last week.

It was emphasised that hatchery owners should breed quality 'Mother prawns' to avert a possible outbreak of diseases, that are now positively contained, with the available vaccines.

At present, prawn farming is carried out on 5,000 ha (hectares) and the target is to produce 4,300 metric tons of prawns this year.

Infrastructure

Initially, the industry aimed at providing prawns to the export market.

With the improvement of the tourist industry, there is a great demand for prawns in the local market. Supplies cannot be netted from the lagoon and the sea alone.

Although this lucrative prawn farming is a money-spinner in terms of foreign trade there are other constraints and setbacks encountered by this industry. Adequate infrastructure facilities are the need of the hour to develop prawn culture.

Another constraint is the expenditure incurred to provide electricity to the prawn farms from the national grid and as such a large amount money has to be set aside for electricity.

Though some farms run with electricity from the national grid, a large amount of money is incurred by private farms which use generators to power the motors aerating the ponds.

Nevertheless prawn farmers continue steadfastly undergoing extreme hardship and insurmountable difficulties, it was revealed.

The Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Alliance (SLADA) enables farmers, hatcheries and value-chain firms to share their knowledge and expertise to enhance the sustainability and productivity of the industry. Better Management Practices (BMPs) with emphasis on environmental protection and shrimp health are the key factors of this strategy.

However, the recurrence of shrimp diseases remains the main impediment to sustainable development of the industry particularly where there is a need for resources and expertise to help farmers implement better management practices (BMPs) effectively. Nevertheless, the farmers plod on and control diseases to a great extent.

Shrimp farmers and stakeholders have cooperated with the project team set up to develop locally adapted better-management practices (BMPs), identifying local risk factors, limitations and impediments in distinct zones and sub-zones of farming in the North Western and Eastern Provinces.

B better management practices (BMPs) are the foundation for knowledge sharing and reducing risks of production particularly those related to diseases, it was revealed.

The Alliance monitors pathogens that cause noxious diseases affecting the shrimps through additional laboratory capacity in the North Western Province. Farmers and stakeholder industrialists jointly endeavour to test the water quality in farm ponds and common water bodies.

The Alliance also shares the knowledge-base with interested entrepreneurs regarding potential disease-outbreaks and to improve bio-security by augmenting the production and enforcing better farm-practices and technology.

The organisation also welcomes visitors to browse their knowledge-resources and follow updates, events and information. The Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Alliance (SLADA) welcomes those engaged or involved in any capacity in the shrimp farming industry in Sri Lanka to join it.

President, Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Alliance, Ajith Chandana Perera and members Nimal Pathirana, S. Dayabaran, Rizwi Hanifa were also present.

Text and pictures by Christie Fernando, Chilaw special cor.