Industry challenges addressed at 5th Shrimp Congress
Anticipating the introduction of exotic shrimp species, including the
Litopeneaus vannamei (L.vannamei), the Philippine shrimp industry is faced
with new challenges that, if addressed properly, can be turned into major
opportunities for the ailing industry.
These challenges and opportunities are among those discussed at the 5th
National Shrimp Congress held last June 21-23, 2006 in Bacolod City, Philippines
Organized by Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (DA-BFAR) in cooperation with PHILSHRIMP, Negros Prawn Producers
Marketing Cooperative, Inc., Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and
the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC), the Congress, with
the theme “New Challenges and Frontiers for the Philippine Shrimp
industry” presented the latest updates on state-of-the-art shrimp
farming technologies for P.monodon and L.vannamei in the country and worldwide.
Among the other issues dealt with during the Congress were the IEC on
the rules and regulations regarding the importation, hatchery accreditation
and growout of L.vannamei, processing and value-adding for L.vannamei,
proper feed and feeding procedures for both P.monodon and L.vannamei,
and government programs supporting the commercialization of the white
shrimp industry.
On a sadder note, the Department of Agriculture failed to announce the
much-awaited lifting of the ban on importation, hatchery and growout of
the L. vannamei during the Congress. This prompted industry stakeholders,
including the Negros Prawn Producers, growout operators from Mindanao
and feedmillers, to pass a resolution calling for the formal lifting of
the ban, thus allowing the culture of L. vannamei in the country. The
BFAR-NIFTDC (National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center),
headed by Dr. Westly Rosario had also passed a resolution recommending
the scrapping of the ban. Both resolutions will be submitted to the Department
of Agriculture.
Many believe that L. vannamei, the favored exotic species, will hasten
the industry’s goal to enhance shrimp production, thus augmenting
the income of farmers, traders, exporters, processors, and feed millers.
The expected increase in production is likely to be a boon for the industry,
which can now produce white shrimps not only for the export market, but
more importantly for local consumers.
However, this will only be possible if the industry learns from its past
mistakes and also take into the consideration the various concerns regarding
the culture of L.vannamei.
In this light, several seminars touched on the exotic species including
one sponsored by Santeh Feed Corporation of the “Culture of White
Shrimp (L.vannamei) Luzon Experience,” which was presented by Roy
Ortega of the company’s Research and Development unit.
Santeh was also able to showcase its products at the trade exhibition
held during the Congress.
