Shrimp Nursery in Region Xii, Philippines

RATIONALE

Shrimp nursery is process of nursing shrimp fry or  Post larvae -(PL) in a controlled environment. It is  undertaken right after larval rearing in the Hatchery, wherein PL 1-2 are bought by nursery growers and nurse for a specified period of time most likely 20-30 days. Then it is made available for sale to grow-out farmers for shrimp culture. Since shrimp nursery is an intermediate process in the multi-phase shrimp production system, extraordinary care and monitoring is needed from hatchery, nursery to grow-out because shrimp fry stress easily caused by frequent water exchange and handling. Stages from which shrimp fry developed from eggs of broodstock hatched for two to three weeks in the hatchery then followed by shrimp nursery three to five weeks and last the final stage is the grow-out phase three to four months. Shrimp nursery  is an extension of the hatchery process which will last for 20 days, 30 days, to 45 days in the rearing tanks depending on the shrimp species (e.g., Black tiger shrimp -Penaeus Monodon, local name “sugpo” Pacific White Shrimp-Penaeus Vannamei local name “suahe”) before it reach a shrimp fry  marketable size weighing 0.10 grams /each (PL 20-30). The nursery stage is a production phase wherein shrimp fry (PL) are closely monitored to ensure fry standard quality and quantity for the grow-out. It is the stages wherein grow-out farmers decides to pursue grow-out stages as fry quality is a signal for a better grow-out output.

The use of nursery phase has several advantages over direct stocking: It offers higher survival rate, better facility utilization, and greater control over predators, water quality and feed management. It can serve as a quarantine that can minimize losses to viral disease outbreaks and in temperate climate areas greenhouse-enclosed nursery systems can offer extension of the grow-out season. While drawbacks of shrimp nursery are, it increases shrimp handling, It is labor-intensive and less forgiving, It requires well-trained biologists (aquaculturist) to operate, Construction costs are higher than conventional ponds.

OBJECTIVE

This project brief aim to promote multi-phase shrimp production system in particular Nursery Stage to improved the shrimping  industry in Region XII.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Shrimp nursery is a process of nursing (rearing) a shrimp fry or Post Larvae-(PL 1-2) which is either collected from the wild, or bought from the hatchery and put in the nursing tank. The rearing tanks with varied shapes (circular, square, rectangular, raceways) made of fiberglass, canvass, and/or marine plywood, concrete, or ferro cement and filled with treated saltwater, fresh-water or a combination of both (brackish water). As long as the treated water met the standard water quality (PH, temperature, salinity and other water parameters) and aerated for 24 hours, 7 days a week. Then quality shrimp fry from the hatchery are fed with formulated feeds (30-40% protein) with vitamins 3-4 times/daily for 20-30 days for Pacific White Shrimp and 30-45 days for Black tiger shrimps and up to 45 days for other shrimp species. Shrimp fry for grow-out farmers are ensured of a more productive output provided nursery stages were properly executed. Nursery can be covered in an semi-enclosed facility, or open door located in onshore, offshore, in the ponds, or just adjacent to grow-out areas.

CURRENT MARKET TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

According to the the BFAR Director Asis Perez, the Philippines is already supplying markets such as Japan, United States, Singapore and other Asian countries, having resumed exporting vannamei shrimp to the United States, China and Korea. The value of vannamei shrimp exports is estimated at PHP 325 million ($14million) monthly. Perez mentioned expansion in the shrimp aquaculture industry, especially in the Bicol region and General Santos City. About 35% of the Philippine shrimp supply currently comes from General Santos City. The BFAR director said the private sector expressed interest to produce shrimp fingerlings (Hatchery and Nursery stages), which currently are being imported from Hawaii. Earlier, the BFAR imposed a ban on the importation of live shrimp species to protect the industry from the early mortality syndrome (EMS). "We are now reaping the benefits of the ban. We are lucky because we’re the only country which is EMS-free,” Perez told Manila Standard Today.  The agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala said the country’s shrimp industry needs to remain competitive once EMS-affected countries recovered from the disease, and the institution need to work so prices do not go up.

The local shrimp industry now enjoys a disease-free status and has plenty of broodstock for breeding, placing it in a strategic position.

The pacific or white-leg white shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei) from South America, which was introduced to the Philippines in the early 2000’s, was approved by the government for commercial farming   in brackishwater ponds in 2007. Production figures for 2011-provided by farmers from all over the country who attended the 8th Shrimp Congress held in Bacolod City showed that 11,000 to 15,000 tons of vannamei shrimp were produced in Luzon, 4,200 tons in Mindanao and 1,000 tons in Visayas.

 In Region XII - (SOCSKSARGEN), General Santos City in particular has existing grow-out farm of at least 230 hectares of vannamei, requiring at least a billion fry/yearly or 0.345 Billion shrimp fry stocked at density 100-150 fry/ square meter every after four months assuming January of every year is the start of grow-out farming for shrimp in gensan.  Since only few shrimp nursery exist in the Region and the demand is higher, adding a few nursery will eventually more favourable to both grow-out farmers and nursery growers. Especially now that the City Government of General Santos City is supporting substantial shrimp production as alternative source of income to Tuna catchers and workers in the region.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

Assumptions

1. Land (coastal land area) including land area for reservoir
2. Enclosed Nursery Facility
3. Nursery Tanks and equipment

        5 pieces Circular Canvass

        5 pieces Blowers

        5 pieces submersible pump

        5 pieces Electric Motor

        1 saltwater gasoline pump

1 power generator

Shrimp  Fry Postlarvae (PL-1 or PL-2)

500-600 thousands x 5 tanks = 3 Million shrimp Fry

Formulated Feeds and Medicines

4.) Salary and wages (30 days in a month)

        Technician 30 days x Php 450 = Php13,500

        Assistant Technician 30 days x Php 300 = Php 9,000

        Labors 2 x Php 250 x 2 days = Php1,000