Viral disease hits shrimp farming in Bagerhat
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Our Correspondent
BAGERHAT, July14: The shrimp farmers in the district are facing a severe crisis due to an outbreak of a deadly viral disease infecting the shrimps, sources said.
Although the introduction of modern technology and scientific management is likely to save the industry from collapsing, but the foreign exchange earning sector is in an alarming state due to being affected by the deadly disease.
The shrimp farmers have incurred financial losses due to the spread of the white spot disease that has swept the shrimp farms in Bagerhat region.
Nearly 23,830 shrimp farms in the region produce 13,178,08 tonnes of shrimp every year from the brackish water.
The outbreak of the viral disease has also hit many shrimp farms at Kachua, Moralgari, Sharankhola, Chitalmari, Rampal and Mongla upazilas in the district, causing a severe blow to the cultivation.
According to experts, the prevailing weather condition have increased the severity of the disease.
Over 28,916 people are directly involved in the shrimp industry and the country's shrimp is highly praised in the international market for its original texture and delicious taste.
"I released 20,000 bagda fry in my farms and spent over Tk 55,000 but in return I got most of the fries dead after 42 days" said Sanjib Kumar Das (32), a shrimp farmer of Kachua Upazila.
Another shrimp farmer Shodhan Das (42) of Kalmibuniya Upazila said: ''I released 9000 bagda fry in my farm and spent about Tk 20,000. But in return I got nothing after 50 days.''
Experts said crisis lies with the collection of brood stock (mother shrimp) by shrimp hatcheries from the deep sea and stocking in the brood pond for hatching. During breeding season, brood stock releases eggs that become post larvae (PL) within a few days. Proper management required at this stage to prevent the virus is absent in Bangladesh, they added.
They further said countries like Thailand and India also collect brood from the same part of Bay of Bengal, but they are able to repel the virus attack by applying proper hatchery management techniques and practices.
It is regrettable that until now we have no mechanism for testing or screening the brood stock of PL to detect the virus, said shrimp consultant for Shrimp Seal of Quality (SSOQ) in the region.
I think the country's shrimp production would multiply if the farmers use virus free PL and follow modern techniques , he added.
BAGERHAT, July14: The shrimp farmers in the district are facing a severe crisis due to an outbreak of a deadly viral disease infecting the shrimps, sources said.
Although the introduction of modern technology and scientific management is likely to save the industry from collapsing, but the foreign exchange earning sector is in an alarming state due to being affected by the deadly disease.
The shrimp farmers have incurred financial losses due to the spread of the white spot disease that has swept the shrimp farms in Bagerhat region.
Nearly 23,830 shrimp farms in the region produce 13,178,08 tonnes of shrimp every year from the brackish water.
The outbreak of the viral disease has also hit many shrimp farms at Kachua, Moralgari, Sharankhola, Chitalmari, Rampal and Mongla upazilas in the district, causing a severe blow to the cultivation.
According to experts, the prevailing weather condition have increased the severity of the disease.
Over 28,916 people are directly involved in the shrimp industry and the country's shrimp is highly praised in the international market for its original texture and delicious taste.
"I released 20,000 bagda fry in my farms and spent over Tk 55,000 but in return I got most of the fries dead after 42 days" said Sanjib Kumar Das (32), a shrimp farmer of Kachua Upazila.
Another shrimp farmer Shodhan Das (42) of Kalmibuniya Upazila said: ''I released 9000 bagda fry in my farm and spent about Tk 20,000. But in return I got nothing after 50 days.''
Experts said crisis lies with the collection of brood stock (mother shrimp) by shrimp hatcheries from the deep sea and stocking in the brood pond for hatching. During breeding season, brood stock releases eggs that become post larvae (PL) within a few days. Proper management required at this stage to prevent the virus is absent in Bangladesh, they added.
They further said countries like Thailand and India also collect brood from the same part of Bay of Bengal, but they are able to repel the virus attack by applying proper hatchery management techniques and practices.
It is regrettable that until now we have no mechanism for testing or screening the brood stock of PL to detect the virus, said shrimp consultant for Shrimp Seal of Quality (SSOQ) in the region.
I think the country's shrimp production would multiply if the farmers use virus free PL and follow modern techniques , he added.