Preventing substandard shrimp seed trading

Improving sudden inspection, handling, and preventing breaches in shrimp seed production and trading operations would contribute to the Mekong Delta shrimp industry's sustainable and effective growth.

Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Directorate of Fisheries, together with the delegation to inspect shrimp seed in Bac Lieu province. Photo: Trong Linh.

 According to the Directorate of Fisheries, the Vietnamese shrimp sector will continue to face several problems, challenges, and potential risks in 2021, which may result in overexploitation of shrimp seeds, feed, and environmental treatment products used in aquaculture.

As a result, it is essential to assess the present situation in terms of benefits and drawbacks, debate potential solutions, and seize chances to ensure the shrimp industry's continued stability in the new environment.

According to Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries, the problem of shrimp seed quality management is critical for the Mekong Delta provinces.

Previously, in mid-2020, the Directorate of Fisheries convened and coordinated an inspection of the shrimp seed markets in Kien Giang, Ca Mau, and Bac Lieu, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Health and local governments, intending to propose efficient management measures. Additionally, the unit collaborated with other relevant units to perform unannounced inspections of seafood hatchery facilities in the region.

11 administrative breaches were resolved as a result of their failure to obtain certificates of eligibility for the production and raising of aquatic breeds and their use of unsourced broodstock; the administrative punishment totals VND 805 million.

15,000 broodstock and postlarvae were required to be destroyed or repurposed, which is the highest amount of broodstock ever destroyed.

Additionally, 28 trucks carrying shrimp seed were discovered to be operating without a Quarantine Certificate, resulting in administrative fines of VND 196 million and the destruction of 10 million shrimp seeds.

Luan said that by implementing rules on aquatic breed management among localities, the transmission of information from shrimp seed producers and suppliers to localities in the area may be more promptly, thus reducing consumption of a variety of post-quarantine shrimp seed of low quality.

As Luan said, one of the challenges in shrimp seed production is that Vietnam now lacks shrimp broodstock and must rely on imports and natural exploitation.

While the availability of shrimp seed is restricted, brackish water shrimp production has risen significantly. Brackish water shrimp output reached 371 thousand tons in the first six months of 2021 alone (up 12 percent over the same period in 2020).

During the peak season for stocking, the Mekong Delta's main agricultural regions continue to have a significant quantity of shrimp seed imported from unspecified South Central provinces that have not been quarantined. Numerous batches of seed produced at the plant have not been examined or given a Certificate of Eligibility for the production and raising of aquatic breeds following rules, but are nevertheless granted a quarantine certificate. These are facilities that do not fulfill the required standards and thus pose a danger of disease outbreaks.

One of the critical challenges ahead is to maintain tight control over the quality of shrimp seed and aquatic materials. Simultaneously, create inspection teams to conduct thorough inspections of businesses that produce seeds, aquafeeds, and items for environmental treatment and enhancement used in aquaculture, and to severely enforce infractions.

Additionally, businesses and shrimp farmers must enhance product quality, collaborate, and link production chains to reduce intermediaries, lower production costs, and enhance product quality; and utilize certified farming methods such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, ASC, and others to increase product value.