December 9, 2010

 

Indonesia's Bali launches world's largest shrimp hatchery

 

 

President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono inaugurated on Monday (Dec 6) the world's largest shrimp breeding centre in Bali's Bugbug village, Karangasem regency, to lessen dependence on foreign markets.

 

The centre has a production capacity of 675,000 tonnes of shrimp per year and is expected to fulfil the demand for shrimp fry, especially whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei); thus, reducing the need to import and increase local production.

 

Maritime Affairs and Fishery Minister Fadel Muhammad said the country's efforts to step up shrimp production was hampered by fluctuating foreign supply of fry, which was mostly imported from Hawaii and Florida.

 

Annually, Indonesia imports 130,000 to 150,000 broodstock, the sexually mature individuals used for breeding purposes.

 

"The minister announced that the production target next year would be 340,000 tonnes of whiteleg shrimps. The country cannot rely on imports due to uncertain supply and high prices," he said.

 

Fadel added that imports would also be reduced because long travel distances and the time-consuming shipping made the broodstock less productive, as well as prone to disease.

 

The country is aiming to strengthen shrimp as its key export commodity from the fishery sector alongside seaweed and tuna.

 

Last year, the country exported US$1.58 billion worth of shrimp, making up 63% of all fishery product exports, which totalled US$2.47 billion.

 

"Between 2010 and 2014, we expect shrimp production to increase by 74.7% from 400,000 tonnes to 699,000 tonnes," Fadel said.

 

The 699,000 tonnes would comprise 500,000 tonnes of whiteleg shrimp and 199,000 tonnes of giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon).

 

The President also called for the improvement of the fishery industry, saying that the country boasted huge potential marine resources in its six million-square-kilometre territorial waters.

 

He said fishery commodities should be prioritised for the domestic market, especially to increase the consumption of fish and shrimp.

 

"The supply chain should be made efficient so prices can be controlled at an affordable level and people can consume more fish products. The next target is exports. We should be aim to be more competitive given the tough global market for shrimp," he said.

 

The Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry said Indonesia had more than 1.2 million hectares of shrimp ponds, of which only 613,000 hectares were operational, with the remaining 611,000 hectares laying idle.