White spot disease in farmed shrimp has already cost the state about USD150 million in lost revenue following a 50% reduction in harvest to around 40 700 tonnes, and the industry is anxious to prevent its recurrence this year.
The formal request was sent to the State Secretary of Agriculture, Héctor Ortiz Ciscomani, by the heads of Aquaculture Health Committee of the State of Sonora (Cosaes), of the Private Farmers’ Association of Sonora (AAPES) and of the Committee on the Shrimp Product System (CSPC).
Sonora’s area devoted to shrimp production doubled in 2003-09 and output increased to 81 423 tonnes from 36 247 tonnes. The state is Mexico’s largest shrimp producer.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has agreed to support a one-year project worth USD500 000 to control the spread of shrimp disease. In recent months, disease has broken out in southern provinces, affecting 30 000 shrimp farming families.
According to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the funds will be used to employ international and domestic consultants, buy new breeding shrimps and pay for equipment and lab activities to find out causes of the disease. The FAO will also help improve biological safety in shrimp farming and develop a strategy to manage aquatic products.
