Final workshop of collaborative project for Thai shrimp farmers

On 12 December 2007, the Department of Fisheries of Thailand (DOF) organized the final workshop of the project, entitled “Innovative strategies for the sustainable farming of safer and healthier shrimp”. This project, funded as part of the EU-Thailand Economic Co-operation, Small project facility (Grant contract ASIE/2006/126-034) for the production of quality-certified seafood, was a collaboration between DOF, SBBU/BIOTEC, the University of Ghent and INVE Technologies (Belgium).

More than 60 people representing every level of the sector (scientists, official authorities, shrimp farmers, professional syndicates and journalists), gathered at the Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok, to hear the opening remarks from the Deputy Director General of DOF and the results of the study.

The overall objective of this project, with its training and information components, was to support the Thai shrimp farming industry by giving them specific tools to produce healthier shrimp and safer for human consumption, without the prophylactic nor therapeutic use of antibiotics and chemicals.

Selected biotechnological products and techniques, reviewed by Dr. Olivier Decamp (INVE Technologies), were tested under Thai conditions, both in laboratory (SBBU/BIOTEC) and at DOF stations (Songhkla, Satun, Samut Sakhon and Phetchaburi). Regional seminars were also organized during previous months in order to transfer information on new and effective health management practices.

Prof. Sorgeloos. University of Ghent, Dr. Panom Sodsuk,DOF and Ms. Waraphorn Jangsuthivorawat, SBBU/BIOTEC, reviewed the training and application of new analytical techniques, including the standardized WSSV challenge test that was developed by three laboratories of Ghent University in collaboration with INVE Technologies.

The presentations highlighted the benefits of biosecurity measures (efficient disinfection and monitoring of microbial load), and safe and effective probiotics in larviculture and ongrowing, both for white shrimp and tiger shrimp.

Among the results presented were the improved production reported by Satun coastal fisheries research and development center:

- Markedly reduced Vibrio at various stages of production between Zoea 1 and PL14 stages

- Faster shrimp development

- Lower variability between tanks

- Improved survival (average of 45% in the control tanks compared to 78% on the treatment tanks)

The workshop ended with a discussion led by Dr. Olivier Decamp and Dr. Srirat Sodsuk (DOF). This project will help farmers pass and reach the goal of the two DOF quality control programs, the Code of Conduct (CoC) and Good Aquaculture Practice (GAP).

More information is available upon request from Olivier Decamp (o.decamp@inve.be).