Another headon shrimp sold in Japan and other global markets is a species called vannamei from Florida, whose aggressive marketing strides have worried local aquaculture operators. A meeting was recently called at the house of Speaker Jose de Venecia to thresh out the technical and economic benefits of vannamei. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Undersecretary Tetchi Capellan, as well as the members of the Aquaculture Board of the Phils. (Aquaboard), led by its president Lourdes Tanco, were all in attendance.
Basically, the argument raised against vannamei shrimps is that since it is not indigenous to the Philippines, its entry and propagation can bring unknown diseases that could wipe out the aquaculture population.
But Thailand and China never had episodes of disease outbreaks attributable to this species. Yet, these two countries benefited much from culturing vannamei shrimps. This is the challenge for government because the Filipino aquaculture sector can reap the same benefits without endangering its marine products and by introducing safeguards, said Capellan.
Thailand, which started growing vannamei ahead of China is now exporting 360,000 metric tons (MT) of shrimps to Japan versus the Philippine shrimp exports of only 8,000 MT.
China, on the other hand, used vannamei to revive its own dying shrimp industry after L. Chinesis got wiped out ten years ago. Now, with vannamei culture, China’s shrimp output is 200,000 metric tons per year is poised to overtake Thailand.
These countries learned so much from this foreign technology that came from Hawaii and Florida. Today, their vannamei shrimps are penetrating the European, American, and other developed countries. This species has huge potentials in their culinary industries, Capellan added.
In contrast, the Philippines, despite its abundant marine resources, has been importing shrimps from China and other nearby ASEAN countries because production could hardly catch up with the requirements of the major food service chains that also require consistent quality and competitively priced local supply.
Aquaboard president Lourdes Tanco, also known as the kid sister of former Agriculture Secretary Bong Tanco, cited the many advantages of vannamei. Tanco said vannamei needs less protein in its feeds; has better feed conversion ratio; wider tolerance to environmental quality; can be cultured at higher stocking density; has production cost of less than P100/kg; and has shorter culture period.
In the long run, Capellan said, foreign companies are willing to transfer the technology for producing broodstock locally. Meantime, the country can import the broodstock and undertake a risk analysis in the government-run research facility in Pangasinan. This will allow the pond operators to revive the shrimp industry and create more jobs in the fisheries sector.
Members of the Aquaboard are Lourdes Tanco, Jiji Rodriguez of Philippine Tilapia, Elias Quizon of Bolinao Bangus Assn, Miguel Dominguez of Alsons, Cris Manlapaz of St. Joseph Fish Broker, and Philip Cruz of Aquaculture Society of the Phils.