Forgotten Indian white shrimp to stage comeback

Nearly a decade after a deadly virus — white spot syndrome — delivered a killer blow to shrimp farming in India, making native species like Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus) and iconic tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) “non-preferable”, scientists at the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) are now exploring ways to fix the problem and put back the native species back in reckoning.

The industry is currently dominated by Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), an exotic species imported from the United States in 2009 and now holding 90% share in cultivation. Though the American shrimp brings certain short-term advantages such as fast growth and disease-free status, scientists say it is not sustainable in the long run as it will degrade the local ecology rapidly. Also, there are reports of attacks by a new disease — running mortality syndrome — in parts of Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala with increasing mortality and crop failures, which is already threatening to cut down the production of vannamei this year by 30%. This calls for urgent need to diversify the shrimp to have multiple alternatives.

Speaking to this newspaper, CIBA director K.K. Vijayan revealed that an ambitious project is currently underway to selectively breed native Indian white shrimp and produce a specific pathogen-free species. “The American shrimp is also a SPF variety after successful selective breeding. Likewise, efforts are on to develop our own native SPF variety. The basic work is already done. Our scientists in the experimental station in Muthukadu, 30 km from Chennai on the East Coast Road, have developed the broodstock. We are hopeful of accomplishing the target in another two years provided we get adequate support.”

“Selective breeding is an expensive and time-consuming process. We are partnering with private shrimp producers as well. Last year, India made a turnover of Rs 30,000 crore from seafood exports, out of which shrimp exports accounted for 70%. If we can invest at least 0.5% of total turnover on R&D, we can achieve and do a lot. There are several unexplored shrimp varieties which can be pushed into domestic markets,” he said.