In Zhanjiang, west of Guangdong province, white discharge symptom was reported by the intensive culture ponds; while in Zhangpu, Fujian province outbreak rates were high in the traditional ponds, with shrimps were mostly plagued by the loss of appetite, white discharge symptom and EMS. Further north, in the small-scale farms of Rudong, Jiangsu province, shrimps were commonly infected with vibrio bacteria and liver pancreatic diseases.

The shrimp industry players faced severe challenges over the past few years, especially in the southern region. Both farming acreage and production volumes have shrunk tremendously in this traditionally major shrimp farming ground of China, The industry is undergoing a shake up and restructuring stage.

The impact was most prominent in the intensive culture sector, which is capital intensive. The high risks involved in this sector means that every harvest is critical. After the past several years of poor harvesting, many farms have decreased their brood stocks, cut production or halt operation altogether. Empty ponds were abundant in west Guangdong, once the glorious shrimp breeding ground of the country. Things are so bad that the rentals of intensive culture ponds have fallen below those of traditional ponds in some places.

In this painstaking, prolong restructuring stage, rentals plunged, players exit, and many switched to other aquatic products. Who will be the quitters and stayers in this reshuffling of the white shrimp industry?

Cost is not the major factor

As challenges in the aquaculture industry mount, feed costs and feed coefficient, though no doubt affect the farming cost, are no longer the priority concern of intensive culture farms. What matters most is stability, and the primary need is the rate of success. So long as production is stable, returns can be ensured as the prices of shrimps stay at high levels.

The most essential thing is the density of the brooding stock and moderation is the key. Focusing blindly on maximizing production, which results in overcrowding, will eventually lose control of the farming risks. Working relentlessly on the growth rate hurts as well. A good balance between growth rate and stress resistance of the aquatic animals.is the trick to go a long way.

Management upgrade is the foundation of expansion

It is common to see huge losses in aquaculture operations, particularly shrimp farming, which is one of the reasons it is never a main line for the farmers. For one, managing a shrimp farm is notoriously difficult, and the bigger it gets, the more challenging it becomes. Make no mistake, however, that the shrimp industry will march steadfastly towards intensive farming, for as failures are many, successful cases are abundant as well to breed confidence.

The crux to these thriving shrimp farms is standardized and stringent management. Some farms diligently track and record the climates and farming conditions every day, Hence, when the climate condition three years ago is needed for reference, data can readily be retrieved. Meanwhile, successful farms are attentive to details. For instance, they demand workers to be sterilized with potassium permanganate before feeding- which means moving to another pond to feed needs another round of sterilisation.

Farms that cannot implement strict management regulations will fail, even if they are well equipped, as they cannot fully utilise the advanced technology.

Importance of feed quality and technical service

Other than taking great care of the water quality, successful farms work with well-reputed feed producers that provide stable quality feed and excellent after-sales technical service. This is like a "feed + insurance" solution package. One has to know that shrimp farming involves high risks, which are beyond personal capability and experience. Therefore, help from professionals who have the know-how and equipment, or the lack of it, can be the make-or-break extra bit.