July 8, 2013

On several farms in Sonora, Mexico, the Centre for Biological Research of the Northwest (Cibnor), Guaymas Unit, continues investigating the origin of the death of farmed shrimp.

The experts hope to be able to soon identify the pathogen that causes the problem and that has already caused losses estimated to exceed MXN2,500 million (US$193 million) in the neighbouring state of Sinaloa.

It is presumed that the disease could be the early mortality syndrome (EMS), but this assumption has not been confirmed, science professor Marco Antonio Porchas Cornejo stated.

Aquaculture Health Committee of Sonora (Cosaes), located in Ciudad Obregon, created a Special Committee to address the sanitary problems afflicting the aquaculture sector and especially the shrimp industry.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Aranda Ocampo, director of Aquaculture of the National Water Supply Commission, ensured he is working on the identity of the pathogen, and its control and handling.

According to the statistics provided by the National Fisheries Committee, around 11,700 hectares are affected in various productive regions along the Mexican coast, between Nayarit, Sinaloa and Sonora.

Together with the National Health and Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASICA), the affected areas are being evaluated to determine the next procedure to tackle this serious sanitary and economic problem.

In addition, a meeting was held at the Government Palace in Sinaloa, in which federal representatives and senators participated and pledged to support the efforts that are made from the State Government as well as the proposals made by farmers.

During this meeting, which was also attended by officials from Sinaloa, it was announced that in a week the precise causes of the disease in shrimp that resulted in the death of specimens would be known.