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Farmed white shrimp. (Photo: Conapesca, Sagarpa)
White shrimp farmed in sea cages
MEXICO
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
A group of scientists at the National Fisheries Institute (Inapesca), specialists of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) and producers from Sonora were able to farm white shrimp through a mariculture system.
After several months of research in the open sea, the team succeeded in designing and building floating cages for the experimental cultivation of shrimp. For the first time in the country, the evidence obtained with this technique facilitated an initial harvest of 4.7 tonnes of the crustacean.
According to Conapesca, this experience will increase food production in the 17 states of the country that have coastlines and generate more jobs. In addition, it will help to strengthen the income of families who depend on this fishery.
As part of the White Shrimp Mariculture Project, two farming phases were developed at the same time:
- 350,000 post-larvae were stocked in a cage to observe their growth;
- In another one 270,000 organisms were farmed to analyze their adaptation and evolution in captivity.
After 16 weeks of permanent monitoring with representative sample biometrics specimens were obtained with sizes ranging from 14 to 16 grams.
The good results achieved are also the result of the participation of Free Fishermen's Union of the State of Sonora (Uples), of the Institute of Aquaculture of the local government and of Produce Sonora Foundation.
In Mexico white shrimp have been farmed in aquaculture centres for years. In Sonora, in particular, there are over 20,000 hectares in which this activity takes place with an annual production exceeding 70,000 tonnes.
The volume produced is enough to meet the internal sector’s needs and those of the processed industry.
According to the Statistical Yearbook of Aquaculture and Fisheries, about 167,000 tonnes of shrimp are produced on average per year. Of that total, about 62,000 tonnes represent the shrimp caught at sea and about 104,000 tonnes come from aquaculture farms.
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  SAGARPA - Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion
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