World Aquaculture - December 2014

DECEMBER 2014

•

WORLD AQUACULTURE

•

WWW.WA S.ORG

•

Land acquisition in the Delta by non-indigenous people is

very difficult and suitable areas for shrimp farming tend to be also

oil-rich areas.

There is presently great local and national opposition to

shrimp farming. Critics have expressed their fears based on the

experiences of other nations that have had challenges from the

venture. Some of the reasonable challenges envisaged are:

Destruction of Mangroves.

Nigeria contains the fourth largest

area of mangrove forest in the world and the program being

supported by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) may

spell disaster for these vital wetlands. Added to the already heavy

handedness and ongoing destruction by the oil industry in Nigeria,

commercial shrimp farming could deliver another serious blow

to the health and future of the Niger Delta mangroves and the

millions of local residents dependent upon these wetlands for their

livelihood and protection.

Disease.

The most damaging factor for shrimp farming during

the past decade has been disease outbreaks. Viral diseases have

damaged industries in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and

Ecuador. Good water quality and lower stocking densities appear to

be the best defense against all diseases.

As a novice, Nigeria has an advantage because these diseases

have yet to manifest themselves as there is no shrimp culture.

However, this potential problem serves to stress the benefits of

avoiding importing exotic species and thus the advantage of

having a known farmable species (

P. monodon

) already within

the local ecosystem. Importation of post-larvae at the early stages

of development of the industry should be avoided if possible, this

being the way some devastating viral diseases are believed to have

been transmitted

between and

within countries.

Pollution and

the Environment.

Whenever large

numbers of semi-

intensive and

intensive shrimp

farms concentrate

on the same river,

estuary or bay,

effluents can

lower the quality

of the surrounding

water, potentially

overwhelm the

environment and

create conditions

that favor shrimp

pathogens.

Moderate

discharges of

effluents from

shrimp farms can

have a beneficial

effect on the

environment,

enriching it without overwhelming it. The mangroves and

mangrove species that surround many shrimp farms thrive on

moderate amounts of nutrients from shrimp farms. In turn, the

mangroves prevent erosion and reduce turbidity by trapping

sediments and binding nutrients. Nigeria can learn from

Ecuador where extensive shrimp farms operate in a comfortable

balance with the mangroves. In Thailand and Ecuador, shrimp

farmers restore and protect mangrove areas. The Administrative

Organization Act empowers local communities to manage and

conserve natural resources and the environment in their localities.

These powers enable local communities to regulate any activities in

their area, including aquaculture.

Code of Conduct standards must be developed and

implemented in the marine shrimp culture industry. Standards are

a systematic approach to manage shrimp production to achieve

international quality recognition and to manage impacts across

the whole value chain, from farm to processing plant, to maintain

a sustainable marine shrimp culture industry. Standards include

guidelines for operation of shrimp hatcheries and farms and for

harvesting and transportation from farms to processing plants,

distributors and exporters. Standards provide a certification

process that addresses a variety of issues, including the use of feed,

veterinary drugs and other chemicals.

In addition, good aquaculture practice guidelines must be

implemented for hygienic shrimp production and processing. To

produce good quality and safe marine shrimp for consumers,

shrimp farms must be standardized, clean, sanitized and generate

minimal environmental impacts. Furthermore, shrimp health

management must avoid use of therapeutic agents and chemicals

that lead to residues in shrimp.

Expected Government Participation

Government participation should consist of the following

activities:

•

Provide necessary support, which could include land,

selection of appropriate pilot areas.

•

Take measures to reduce costs of materials and equipment

for shrimp/prawn production and processing.

•

Improve roads and increase transport options from

producing areas to processing plants and from there to the port.

•

As was done for fish farming, the government should

champion this cause of establishing standard hatcheries and

encourage private entrepreneurs to do the same. The hatcheries will

accordingly be set up to sell post-larvae at a reasonable cost.

•

Continue streamlining port operations to reduce cost and

theft.

•

Encourage more favorable monetary and fiscal policies.

•

Assist with export promotion in cooperation with the

Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

To achieve the desired Vision 20:2020 and millennium goal

of rapid agricultural development, commercial shrimp farming

can play a vital role. Despite numerous challenges to operation,

shrimp farming in the Niger Delta should be encouraged, putting

in place all the necessary precautionary measures for sustainable

production.

Delta Hy

and co

aquacultu

complet

enginee



Pla



Ele



Delta pre

for cus

Optima

Office: 7

dronics provides c

oling solutions for

re applications or

e design/build ser

ring, equipment a

r Product Offering

s Fired Boilers/He

r Cooled Chillers &

lypropylene Heat

te & Frame Heat

mperature Contro

ctric Boilers & W

mbined Heat/Pow

brid Solar System

‐plumbs and skid‐

tomer installation

l Water Te

Means

timal Produ

27‐938‐2421 I Fax

w.deltahy

ustom heating

your specific

needs. We offer

vices including

nd installation.

s Include:

aters

Heat Pumps

Exchangers

ater Heaters

er Turbines

mounts systems

and export.

mperature

ction

: 727‐938‐2311

ro.com