In the 1970s, India was the second largest producer of cultured shrimp which shrunk to the seventh position by 1985. India has come under high criticism for adverse social and environmental impact by aquaculture; especially about the limited sustainability practices followed in this trade. Though undoubtedly, Shrimp is the favourite of every seafood lover, the criticism has taken up the aquaculture trade into a storm.
With the introduction of LitopeneusVannamei species of prawn in the sector, the sector has seen a huge shift in the industry. By the end of 2017, its production area increased to 83% of the total area for shrimp culture and India became the second highest Shrimp producer in the world. L. Vannamei has the high feed conversion ratio that makes it attractive to the shrimp producers. However, there are a bunch of other factors that influence the choice of species to be bred. Factors like location, transportation cost, feed and fertilizer cost, importing or exporting cost, proximity to existing market, climate and land availability among many others. The type of soil is also very critical for cultivation. Usually loam or clay based soil is the most appropriate for shrimp cultivation. Porous soil like sandy or silty soil can lead to soil erosion and waste can easily seep into such kinds of soil. Therefore, this type of soil is to be avoided mainly. The ph level of thee soil should be always stable to ensure good produce.
Areas having moderate tidal fluctuation of two to three metres are considered the best for culture. It is economical and will help to choose the optimal height of perimeter dike which will prevent flooding. Also the area should not be affected by industrial or agricultural runoff or any kind of waste seepage.
Areas with gentle slopes toward the sea are better for pond layout and design. It will lead to less financial inputs and thus be more economical. In other cases, mechanical pumps may be used but they are not always economical
Supplementary feeding is needed to sustain the growth of the shrimps after 60 days by feeding with formulated pellet feeds or trash fish. When talking about seafood production, water quality is of utmost importance. The suitability of water quality varies as per the species but pH level ranging from 7.5 to 9.0 is considered the best for shrimp production. Further increase in pH levels can hamper shrimp growth and can pose a danger to its survivability. Excessive Phytoplanktons should also be taken care of as they can cause unstable pH levels in the water. Water with low pH levels can be corrected by adding lime to tackle acidity.
For commercialization, shrimp are graded and marketed in different categories. From complete shrimp to peeled and deveined, any presentation is available in stores. The animals are graded by their size uniformity and then also by their count per weight unit, with larger shrimp attaining higher price.
The ‘on farm shrimp aquaculture management’ takes care of the rest process involved in active production of shrimps. It involves handling, storage, choosing the perfect shrimp feed and other activities conducted by shrimp farmers.
