ISSN 0972 - 6209

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Vol. 1 No. 1 September 2002

In This Issue Editorial t Editorial Farming in — Lessons and Challenges in Sustainable Shrimp Farming in Development 1 – 4 India – Lessons and

t Authority — its structure, powers and functions 5 – 7 Challenges in Sustainable

t Experts Meet to Discuss Sustainable Shrimp Farming in India Development — A Report 8 – 9

t Status of Shrimp Farming in nvironmental issues have always been the point of West Bengal 10 – 12 Edebate in shrimp farm development. While the harvest from capture around the world has stagnated,

t Aquaculture Authority — Publications 13 aquaculture is viewed as a sound option to increase fish production, and play a vital role in providing food and t Use of Antibiotics, Drugs and Chemicals in Shrimp Farming and Steps for their nutritional security. However, the shrimp farming sector has Regulation — A Report 14 – 15 been strongly opposed by environmental groups on many occasions, not only in India but in many other countries

t Posters on Sustainable around the globe. Legal interventions have been sought to Shrimp Farming 16 curtail shrimp culture, to preserve the coastal environment and the ecology. Though the polarisation of opinion on the adverse impact of aquaculture in the nineties was very strong, there are signs of more tolerance to accommodate diverse views and opinions lately and allow development of shrimp farming in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner. In India, commercial shrimp farming started gaining roots only during the mid-eighties. It was a relatively late start in India; by this time, shrimp farming had reached peak in most of the neighbouring Asian countries, especially and Taiwan; in some the disease and poor farm management practices had already taken a heavy toll. The boom period of commercial-scale shrimp culture in India started in 1990 and the bust came in 1995-96, with the outbreak of viral disease. The fact that most of the coastal States in India were new to commercial-scale shrimp farming, the general ignorance of good farming practices, and the lack of suitable extension services, led to a host of problems. Sustainable Development of Shrimp Farming – Some Issues for Consideration It must be accepted that the days of production-oriented shrimp farming are gone. Present day production has to take note of not only the markets but a host of technical issues as well as the concerns of the environment. The subject matter of sustainable shrimp farming is broad from farm level management A practices to integration of shrimp V

farming into coastal area YADA S management, shrimp health Y management and policy, socio- Paddy fields and coconut trees co-exist with shrimp ponds under sustainable economic and legal issues. In this farming practices analysis, I will discuss some of the be prepared on sustainable shrimp generation in captivity. The most important issues that need to farming and translated in domestication and selective be addressed by the sector on a vernaculars so that the beneficiaries breeding is slow in the Eastern priority basis. can be properly educated. This Hemisphere, particularly in India would help to mitigate the where no significant move has been The White Spot Disease (WSD) problems, especially those related made so far in this direction. has played havoc and its repeated to disease and health management. occurrence has demoralised shrimp As the economic benefits of bio- The availability of quality seed is farmers in the country. Over the last security and genetic improvement likely to be a major problem in the become more compelling, R & D in couple of years, since the spread of coming years, especially with the WSD, many research initiatives selective- breeding programme that respect to the availability of brood rely on specific-pathogen-free have produced protocols which can stock. Efforts have to be made to (SPF) stock need to be taken up by inhibit virus replication and also develop programme of the ICAR fisheries research improve the resistance of shrimp to development at the national level. institutions and also the industry to Significant advances in disease. The introduction of gain self-sufficiency in this critical domestication, selective breeding, modern diagnostic tools such as area. This vital initiative will and stock improvement in recent Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) require dedication and cooperation years have been made, especially in techniques to check the presence or from all concerned. the Western Hemisphere, where absence of white spot virus in the several lines of domesticated The development and use of shrimp post larvae prior to stocking th shrimp are approaching 36 compound feeds has been a major has helped reduce the risk. Other protocols relating to pond chlorination, pond treatment and The potential area available in the coastal region of the country for shrimp cleanliness, and bio-security are farming is estimated between 1.2 million to 1.4 million hectares. Presently, an additional developments which area of about 157 000 ha is under farming with an average production of about considerably reduce the chances of 100 000 metric tonnes of shrimp per year. The average productivity has been WSD spread. In addition, new estimated at 660 kg per hectare per year. Cultured contribute about 50 management techniques such as per cent of the total shrimp exports from India. The technology adopted ranges bio-remediation through various from traditional to improved traditional within the Coastal Regulation Zone microorganisms, enzymes and (CRZ) and extensive shrimp farming outside the CRZ. About 91 per cent of the probiotics added to the feed are shrimp farmers in the country have a holding of less than 2 ha, 6 per cent also proving to be useful and their between 2 to 5 ha and the remaining 3 per cent have an area of 5 ha and above. use is advocated. There are around 260 shrimp hatcheries in the country with an installed Field laboratories with adequate production capacity of 11 billion post larvae (PL). About 200 hatcheries are in facilities are essential to provide operation producing around 7 billion PL. There are about 33 feed mills with an first hand diagnosis and need to be annual installed production capacity of 150 000 metric tonnes. Shrimp farming set up in the coastal States/Union provides direct employment to about 0.3 million people and ancillary units Territories. Elaborate and provide employment to 0.6 – 0.7 million people. comprehensive guidelines should

2 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 advancement in the successful expansion of shrimp farming. As in most animal-production enterprises, feed accounts for the largest operating cost (about 60-70 per cent) and proper feed management is crucial for profitability of shrimp farming. Feed management techniques are as important as feed quality in both improved traditional and extensive shrimp farming systems. The best shrimp feed will be at best an expensive fertilizer if not managed properly. ARAJ Y S JA It is now generally agreed that good Feed Management is crucial for sustainable shrimp farming management practices can make shrimp farming highly sustainable Kandaleru creek in Andhra Pradesh Chemicals and drugs used in and that procedures and is an excellent example of farms set aquaculture include those methodologies for sustainable up in large-scale clusters. As associated with structural material, shrimp farming have been practiced sustained development of shrimp soil and water treatment, in some countries with culture rely on good-quality source antibacterial agents, therapeutants, demonstrably effective results. water, over-development of shrimp pesticides, feed additives, These might include effective and farms – either through management anesthetics, immuno-stimulants and holistic farm management intensification or increased farm hormones. Chemicals and drugs practices; mandatory requirement area – along a creek can impact presently in use, are mostly derived for production of hatchery and estuarine water quality to levels from agriculture/ veterinary and disease resistant shrimp seed; unacceptable for shrimp farming. have never been tested/ evaluated domestication of brood stock; This fact brings to focus the urgent specifically from the perspective of diversification including alternative need for scientific investigations on their effects on the aquatic candidate species; regulatory carrying capacity which will environment. The use of many framework; community addresses not only the physical area chemicals and drugs in aquaculture, involvement; training and of shrimp farms, but also their if carried out properly, can be education; etc. density and geographical regarded as wholly beneficial with distribution along a watercourse. no attendant adverse environmental The orderly development of shrimp effects or increased risks to the The shrimp farming sector has farms will, therefore, need health of farm workers. However, received criticism in recent years considerable attention from the the indiscriminate use of chemicals for excessive use of fishmeal in farmers as also from the planners and drugs, especially those which formulated feeds. While the use of and research establishments. are banned may have a negative fishmeal poses no present threat to impact on the environment and also the sustainability of marine The fast pace of development in the incur penalties to the shrimp fisheries, it is important to develop shrimp farming sector has brought farming sector, including: fishmeal substitutes over time. In to focus the use of a wide variety of India, where monodon is drugs, chemicals, antibiotics, Ø International trade difficulties the predominant cultured shrimp hormones, etc by the fin and arising from drug residues species, feed protein levels have shellfish farmers. The use of Ø The potential for loss of not been significantly reduced. such drugs and chemicals is efficacy of prophylactics/ Today, the protein levels average indiscriminate and is mostly due to antibacterial agent the lack of awareness amongst the around 38 per cent. Ø Increased demand for and farmers and a strong marketing complexity of wastewater The number of shrimp farms and strategy by the drugs and chemicals treatment area under cultivation have manufacturing companies. These expanded considerably during the products are sold to gullible Of the many good management last ten years. In many areas, farmers to enhance the productivity practices that are currently in vogue shrimp farms have developed in of the water bodies, increase the and adopted by the farmers in the close proximity to one another (in resistance in the fin/ shellfish, country, low stocking densities clusters) along the creeks and promote growth and also protect have proved to be successful estuarine watercourses. The against diseases such as WSD, etc. in attaining sustainability.

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 3 this lacuna, it is emphasised that A V shrimp farmers should organise YADA into associations or ‘self help S Y Aerators help in maintaining ambient oxygen levels groups’. The formation of ‘aqua clubs’ in some shrimp farming The Aquaculture Authority permits of Fisheries have to develop a areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil stocking of post larvae up to 6 nos/ complete sense of engendering Nadu is a significant step and the m2 for farms within the CRZ and up ownership of the development State Governments should promote to 10 nos/ m2 outside the CRZ. It is process and move ahead with the and further this movement to now reported that high percentage shrimp farmers in a participatory encompass all the shrimp farmers. of farms are embracing low mode. Motivating the stocking densities in the country – Conclusion and enjoying a high success rate for Governments and shrimp farmers Returns from shrimp farming doing so. In terms of economics must ensure that shrimp culture continue to be rewarding, also, the low stocking densities are practices become systematic, eco- benefiting small-scale farmers and working well. Adoption of low friendly and socially responsible. coastal communities, as well as stocking densities will be one of the entrepreneurs engaged in seed key elements of sustainability in the farmers on the use of good production, farming operations or years to come and needs to be management practices and ancillary activities. Sustainable promoted among the shrimp awareness building has been a utilisation of available areas and farmers. herculean task for which the infrastructure can lead to the present extension paraphernalia in development of under exploited Role of coastal States/ Union the States/ UTs has proved to be resources with the potential of Territories inadequate. This has also been generating a large number of jobs The role of the State/ Union compounded by the absence of and enormous social and economic Territory(UT) is paramount in the qualified NGOs with experience of benefits to the coastal regions of development of sustainable shrimp work in fisheries sector, especially the country. farming. The State/UT Departments in shrimp farming. To overcome — Yugraj Singh Yadava

4 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 Aquaculture Authority – its structure, powers and functions

Powers and Functions of the Aquaculture Authority The powers and functions of the Aquaculture Authority enshrined in the Notification No SO 88 (E) dated 6 February 1997 of the Ministry of Environment and he Aquaculture Authority has Forests are as follows: Tbeen set up under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) (i) To exercise the powers under Act, 1986 to perform the functions Section 5 of the Environment indicated in the Supreme Court (Protection) Act, 1986 for Justice G Ramanujam, Chairman, judgement delivered on 11 issuing directions and for Aquaculture Authority December 1996 in Writ Petition taking measures with respect No 561 (C) of 1994. Constituted to matters referred to in , wet lands, forest vide Ministry of Environment and clauses (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), lands, land for village Forests’ Notification No SO 88 (E) (ix) and (xiii) of subsection common purposes and the dated 6 February 1997, the (2) of Section 3 of the land meant for public Authority is functioning under the said Act. purposes shall not be used or administrative control of the (ii) To ensure that no shrimp converted for construction of Government of India in the culture pond can be constructed shrimp culture ponds. Ministry of Agriculture with its or set up within the Coastal (v) To implement the headquarters located at Chennai. Regulation Zone and up to “Precautionary Principle” and The Authority is headed by Justice 1 000 m of Chilka lake and the “Polluter Pays Principle” G Ramanujam, a retired Judge of Pulicat lake (including bird in coastal shrimp farming Madras High Court with experts sanctuaries namely, activities by adopting the drawn from the fields of Yadurapattu and Nelapattu). procedure described in the aquaculture, pollution control and Supreme Court Order dated environment protection and (iii) To ensure and give approval to 11 December 1996 passed in representatives from the Ministry the farmers who are operating Writ Petition (Civil) No 561 of Agriculture, Ministry of traditional and improved of 1994. Commerce and the Ministry of traditional systems of Environment and Forests as aquaculture for adopting (vi) To regulate and give the Members. improved technology for necessary approvals/ increased production. authorisation for shrimp The Constitution and powers and farming activities outside functions of the Aquaculture (iv) To ensure that the agricultural Coastal Regulation Zone areas Authority are as follows: lands, salt pan lands, and beyond 1 000 m from the Constitution of the Authority Pulicat lake and Chilka lakes. 1) A retired Judge of High Court - Chairman (vii) To frame scheme/ schemes in 2) An expert in the field of Aquaculture - Member consultation with expert bodies like National 3) An expert in the field of Pollution Control - Member Environmental Engineering 4) An expert in the field of Environment Protection - Member Research Institute, Central 5) A representative of the Ministry of Environment Pollution Control Board, and Forests - Member respective State Pollution Control Boards for reversing 6) A representative of the Ministry of Agriculture - Member the damage caused to the 7) A representative of the Ministry of Commerce - Member ecology and environment by 8) (To be appointed by the Central Government) - Member Secretary pollution in coastal States/ Union Territories.

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 5 (viii)To ensure the payment of compensation to the workmen employed in the shrimp culture industries as per the procedure laid down in the Supreme Court Order dated 11 December 1996 passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No 561 of 1994. (ix) To comply with the relevant orders issued by the concerned High Courts and Supreme Court from time to time. (x) To deal with any other AMALORE / BOBP

relevant environment issues E pertaining to coastal areas Paddy fields are prohibited from conversion to shrimp farms with respect to shrimp farming, including those improved technology for increased Authority has taken several steps, which may be referred to it by production. Shrimp farmers who including publication of Guidelines the Central Government in the are already operating outside the for adopting improved technology Ministry of Environment and Coastal Regulation Zone or those for increasing production and Forests. who want to set up a new farm are productivity in traditional and required to apply in Form III. improved traditional systems of Rules of Procedure Shrimp farmers seeking renewal of shrimp farming and incorporation Within the framework of the their licenses are required to use of effluent treatment systems in directions given by the Apex Court, Form V. The approval/ shrimp farms above 5 ha (see the Aquaculture Authority has authorisation is for a period of page 13). The Guidelines on framed its Rules of Procedure and three years from the date of “Precautionary Principle” and asked the coastal States and Union approval and the renewal is also “Polluter Pays Principle” and Territories (UTs) to constitute State for a similar period. The forms “Good Management Practices” Level and District Level prescribed by the Authority can be are under finalisation. The Committees for considering the procured from the respective Authority has held twenty-eight application of shrimp farmers. Department of Fisheries of the meetings since its inception in coastal States/ UTs or from the February 1997 for effective To enable the different categories Member Secretary of the District implementation of the Supreme of shrimp farmers to apply for Level Committees set up for the Court’s directives. approval/ authorisation, the purpose. Aquaculture Authority has prepared Aquaculture Authority News is a a set of application forms. The primary objective of the Accordingly, the shrimp farmers Authority is to regulate shrimp quarterly publication of the operating traditional and improved farming in the coastal areas. To Aquaculture Authority, Ministry of traditional systems are required to promote sustainable shrimp Agriculture, Government of India. apply in Form I for adopting farming in the country, the Readers are invited to send their views and experiences on development of sustainable shrimp Present composition of the Authority farming. We also solicit scientific/ Justice G Ramanujam - Chairman popular articles on shrimp Dr V Rajagopalan - Member representing Ministry of farming/ coastal area management. Environment and Forests The articles should not exceed Shri K Jose Cyriac - Member representing 4 – 5 typed pages and preferably Ministry of Commerce with good illustrations/ colour Shri P K Pattanaik - Member representing photographs. The scientific Ministry of Agriculture articles will be subjected to peer Dr K R Ranganathan - Member expert in the field of review and edited before they are Environment Protection published. The publication will Shri T Venugopal - Member expert in the field of Pollution Control also be made available online on the Authority’s website. – Editor Dr Y S Yadava - Member Secretary

6 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 The Supreme Court’s Judgement on Shrimp Farming and Subsequent Developments

The Supreme Court in its ♦ Shrimp farmers who are of the judgement dated judgement dated 11 December operating traditional and 11 December 1996 was granted. 1996 regarding setting up of improved traditional systems In the hearing held on 19 August shrimp farms in coastal areas held of aquaculture may adopt 1997 the Apex Court directed that that aquaculture is an industry and improved technology for while the stay on demolition shall hence covered by the prohibition increased production, continue there will be no fresh imposed in the Coastal Regulation productivity and returns with stocking of seeds in the Zone Notification, 1991*. prior approval of the aquaculture farms within 500 m of The salient features of the ‘authority’ constituted by this the high tide line which were Supreme Court’s judgement are: Order; required to be demolished. The Petition was subsequently heard The agricultural lands, salt ♦ An Authority to be constituted ♦ on 31 October 2000 when the pan lands, mangroves, wet under Environment Review Petition was admitted and lands, forest lands, land for (Protection) Act, 1986 to deal the Court also directed the village common purpose and with the situation created by Aquaculture Authority to submit a the land meant for public shrimp culture in the coastal comprehensive Environment purposes shall not be used/ areas; Impact Assessment Report. The converted for construction of Report was submitted by the ♦ No shrimp culture pond shall shrimp culture ponds; be constructed/ set up within Authority to the Apex Court on the Coastal Regulation Zone ♦ The Authority so constituted 30 April 2001. The Report is (CRZ), except traditional and by the Central Government presently under consideration of improved traditional types of shall implement the the Supreme Court. ponds. This shall be “Precautionary Principle” applicable to all , bays, and the “Polluter Pays *The Coastal Regulation Zone estuaries, creeks, rivers and Principle”; and backwaters; Notification issued by the Ministry ♦ The shrimp culture ponds of Environment & Forests in ♦ No shrimp culture ponds shall which have been functioning/ February 1991 under the be constructed/ set up within operating within the CRZ as Environment (Protection) Act, 1 000 meters of Chilka lake defined by the CRZ 1986 specifies that the coastal and Pulicat lake (including Notification and within 1 000 stretches influenced by tidal bird sanctuaries namely, meters from Chilka and actions up to 500 m from the high Yadurapattu and Nelapattu) Pulicat lakes shall be liable to tide line shall be treated as ♦ All shrimp culture ponds compensate the affected coastal regulation zone where operating/ set up in the CRZ persons on the basis of the setting up of new industries as defined under the CRZ “Polluter Pays Principle”. (except directly relating to water Notification, 1991 shall be A Review Petition was filed by front) are prohibited. Hatcheries demolished and removed from the Ministry of Agriculture and have been specifically excluded the said area. others seeking review of the and drawal of ground water in ♦ Shrimp culture ponds, other Supreme Court’s judgement in 200 – 500 m zone is permitted than traditional and improved January 1997. The Review when done manually through traditional can be constructed/ Petition(s) came up for hearing on ordinary wells for drinking, set up outside CRZ with prior 21 March 1997 and initially a horticulture, agriculture and approval of the Authority; month’s stay on implementation fisheries purposes.

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 7 he Aquaculture Authority in participants representing the Tassociation with the coastal States/ Union Territories Experts Meet to Discuss Sustainable Department of Fisheries, (UTs); Central Ministries and Government of Tamil Nadu Departments concerned with Shrimp Farming in India – A Report organised an Expert Consultation coastal aquaculture; Fisheries on Development of Sustainable Research Institutes under the address stated that there are few Shrimp Farming in India during Indian Council of Agricultural economic activities which have 28 – 29 August 2002. Seventy Research; Experts from India and witnessed high growth rates as abroad; Shrimp Farmers and shrimp farming in coastal areas of a Hatchery Operators; and Non- large number of countries, during Governmental Organisations the last decade. This rapid development has brought in many (NGOs) attended the two-day controversies, resulting in a more programme. closer look at the environmental and Speaking at the inauguration of the socio-economic impacts of shrimp Expert Consultation, Shri M culture. To ensure that aquaculture Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Minister develops sustainably, it is essential for Fisheries, Government of Tamil to address the potential social and Nadu, and the Chief Guest at the environmental issues. function, said that the principles of The inaugural session of the Expert sustainability and social equity Consultation also saw the formal should be fully incorporated in all launching of the website of the the programmes aimed at Aquaculture Authority (http:// development of coastal areas for aquaculture.tn.nic.in) by the shrimp farming. Earlier Justice Hon’ble Minister and release of a G Ramanujam, Chairman, set of four awareness posters by the Aquaculture Authority in his Chairman, Aquaculture Authority.

Recommendations economically important shrimp species should be undertaken to assess the options and make recommendations on their l The Aquaculture Authority should consider streamlining the procedure for application/ granting of approval/ authorisation, suitability for commercial-scale farming. and to find ways for better networking/ coordination. Massive l Macro-level planning including base studies as required, should efforts are required from the District and State Level be undertaken to understand the inter-sectoral interactions, Committees set up in the coastal States/ Union Territories to including socio-economics, and to incorporate aquaculture into motivate the shrimp farmers to apply for the approval/ Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans (ICZMPs). Active authorisation of their shrimp farms/ ponds by the Aquaculture involvement of the Departments of Fisheries, Central fisheries Authority. institutions/ agencies and other aquaculture/ fisheries stakeholders would be essential in preparation and finalisation l The Aquaculture Authority should explore the option of issuing of ICZMPs. approval/ authorisation to shrimp farms within the context of coastal zone development plans and zoning of sites for l Micro-level planning should be carried out, including carrying aquaculture, particularly in areas where there are large capacity studies, clustering of farms and aquaculture estates. numbers of small-scale shrimp farms. Research on carrying capacity should be taken up in priority at 2 – 3 sites for development of models for wider application l There should be a coordinated research and development in coastal areas. Carrying capacity studies should also consider program to support long-term development of domesticated effects of nutrient load and other polluting elements from stocks of and other relevant species, different economic activities in coastal zones and contiguous involving cooperation among government agencies and upstream areas. industry. As domestication will take time, short to medium- term research support should aim for better screening of wild l Environmental assessment and monitoring programs should caught stocks and production of quality seed. be taken up in important farming areas to monitor and advise on the cluster design and practices, to ensure that the carrying l The establishment of a P monodon broodstock bank to assist capacity of the ecosystem is not exceeded and also to advise in improving quality of nauplii/ post-larvae should be expedited. on the changing environmental conditions in the estuarine/ l Baseline survey of broodstock should be initiated to provide coastal profiles. advice on available resources and practices to be used in their l The Guidelines on Good Management Practices (GMPs) collection and distribution. Only small shrimp hatcheries should should be comprehensive to include environmental protection be promoted in States that do not have hatcheries or need needs, labeling of chemical products used and disposal more hatcheries to meet the demand. techniques for aquaculture wastes. Shrimp farmers/ self-help l Research on shrimp genetics should be taken up towards groups/ associations and NGOs as applicable should be development of disease resistant stocks. Research on other actively involved in the preparation of the GMPs.

8 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 Professor, College of Fisheries, The Expert Consultation with a Experts Meet to Discuss Sustainable Mangalore (Shrimp Health broad-based participation Management); successfully adopted a set of Shrimp Farming in India – A Report Dr Michael J Phillips, Network of recommendations (see box below) Aquaculture Centres in - which on implementation will The technical sessions during the Pacific, Bangkok (Sustainable enable development of shrimp first day of the programme Development of Shrimp Farming – farming on a sustainable basis in included Keynote presentations by A Regional Perspectives) and the country. Shri K Jose Cyriac, Chairman, Dr Y S Yadava, Member Secretary, Marine Products Export Aquaculture Authority, Chennai Development Authority, Kochi (Aquaculture Authority and its (Status of Shrimp Farming in Role in Development of India); Shri P K Pattanaik, Joint Sustainable Shrimp Farming) were Secretary (Fisheries), Ministry of made on the second day of the Agriculture, New Delhi (Policy Consultation. The presentations Perspectives and Future Thrust were followed by panel discussion Areas); Dr P Ravichandran, covering topics such as Good Principal Scientist, Central Institute Management Practices, Licensing of Brackishwater Aquaculture, and Regulations, Planning and Chennai (Good Management Governance, Information Practices in Shrimp Farming) and Networking, Training, Extension presentation of status papers by the and Education and the Role of representatives of the coastal Financial Institutions. States/ UTs present at the Expert Consultation. The full proceedings of the Expert Consultation will be published Keynote presentations by Dr (Ms) shortly as a Report of the Indrani Karunasagar, Associate Aquaculture Authority – Editor

l The Ministry of Agriculture, with the technical assistance of as television should be extensively used for dissemination of ICAR Fisheries Institutions and Agriculture Universities should success stories and information on aquaculture. Shrimp assist the States/ UTs in setting up of laboratories for shrimp farmers/ self-help groups/ associations should be provided with health management units and common effluent treatment improved access to market information to get better systems in areas where farms have been set up/ to be set up remuneration of their produce. in clusters. l Extension mechanisms, such as “agri/ aqua-clinics” should be l States should improve shrimp health management facilities promoted. State/ UT Governments should ensure that (including surveillance, contingency planning, mobile aquaculture is integrated in the “agri-clinics” scheme. More laboratories, etc) and networking to provide early warning on trained personnel in health management at district and village disease and other problems and dissemination of relevant level should be provided. information to shrimp farmers. l Self-help farmer groups/ associations/ village clubs as one way l The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to improve management practices (GMPs), information (NABARD) should review its funding/ credit policy with respect exchange and extension as well as to facilitate timely supplies to shrimp farming, and if necessary call for an interaction of quality inputs, including credit and possibly also crop meeting with the concerned Ministries/ Aquaculture Authority insurance cover and product sale, should be encouraged. and the State Governments and investors. This would ensure Priority attention to building capacity of self-help farmer groups improved access to banking and financing mechanisms to to improve local management of aquaculture should be given support GMPs at farm level. and subsidy/ grant schemes that provide training, facilities and l The Ministry of Agriculture should initiate dialogue with the guidance and support development of sustainable village level General Insurance Companies for insurance coverage of the clubs should be considered for implementation. shrimp farms/ hatcheries. l Colleges of Fisheries under the State Agricultural Universities l The Ministry of Agriculture should prepare a model aquaculture should upgrade their curriculum to include training in bill, which inter alia should include regulation on hatcheries, responsible use of chemicals and shrimp health management. certification of seed and feed quality also following shrimp l The Aquaculture Authority’s website should be developed as health management protocols and disease reporting. The a means of gathering and dissemination of information on involvement of the industry and other stakeholders should be sustainable shrimp farming. National centres should also be ensured in its formulation. linked to regional information sources such as Network of l More extension effort is required to support implementation of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), Bangkok, for the GMPs at farm level. The relevant extension material should benefit of sharing the experiences of the shrimp farmers in the be translated into local languages and electronic media, such region.

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 9 Status of Shrimp Farming in West Bengal

est Bengal stretches from the Table 1. District-wise potential area of Brackishwater in West Bengal WHimalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. It has Potential Area under boundaries with Sikkim and Bhutan District area (in ha) culture (in ha) on the north, Assam and Bangladesh in the east, the Bay of Bengal in the south and Orissa, North 24 – Parganas 1 10 000 33 000 Bihar and Nepal on the west. South 24 – Parganas 70 000 12 000 Covering an area of 88 853 sq km, the State has 19 districts. The State Midnapore 30 000 3 000 has a coastline of 158 km and a continental shelf of 17 000 sq km. area was in farm holdings of less favourable agro-climatic conditions, In view of the existence of than 2.0 ha; 4 237 ha under 2.0 – productive estuarine ecosystem productive agro-climatic and soil- 5.0 ha and the remaining 25 728 ha including the Sundarbans and also morphological conditions and with in farms of above 5.0 ha. All the abundance of and other a dynamic estuarine river system, a shrimp farms are creek-based and brackishwater finfishes. unique network of productive are located within the Coastal Based on the management practices resources including Regulation Zone. viz. traditional, improved brackishwater fisheries has The brackishwater fisheries traditional/ extensive methods of emerged in West Bengal. The total development is high in West Bengal culture systems are in vogue in the fish production in the State during particularly because of the State. The traditional shrimp 1999-2000 was estimated at extensive saline soil-water farming practics are also commonly 1045 700 metric tonnes, of which resource, human resource, known as “Bhasa Badha” fishery. 180 000 (17.2 per cent) metric tonnes came from the marine sector. BHUTAN West Bengal is endowed with the Darjeeling highest potential resources of brackishwater aquaculture (27 per INDIA NEPAL cent of the country’s potential) among all the maritime States. The BAY OF ASSAM

SEA BENGAL

State’s share of the saline soil is ARABIAN about 0.08 million hectare (mha) out of 2.10 mha in the country. The total potential culturable area is estimated at about 0.21 mha and presently 48 000 ha of water area BANGLADESH has been brought under brackishwater farming. BIHAR Excepting for 4 678 ha under improved traditional shrimp farming, the remaining area falls in WEST BENGAL Krishnanagar the category of traditional type with Purulia trap and culture, locally known as Bankura bheries. According to the estimates 24 provided by the Government of PARGANAS (N) Haora Calcutta West Bengal, 18 479 ha of the total HAORA Alipur Medinipur 24 PARGANAS (S) MEDINIPUR Diamond Beginning with this issue, we plan to Harbour Kakdwip bring out the status of shrimp farming in ORISSA Khajuri the other coastal States/ Union Territories in the subsequent issues of the Sundarbans Aquaculture Authority News. BAY OF BENGAL

10 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 In West Bengal about 80 per cent of the fisheries belong to the traditional type of farming where large areas are enclosed and tidal water is allowed to enter alongwith the natural seed of shrimp and fish. No supplementary feed is given. After a considerable period, the fishes and shrimps are harvested. The average productivity of such systems lies between 500 kg to 900 kg/ ha/ year of which about 30 per cent is constituted by prawns/ shrimps and 70 per cent by mullets. These fisheries are mainly located AMALORE / BOBP in the districts of North E 24 – Paraganas, South 24 – Casting net to harvest shrimp crop Paraganas and Midnapore. The Although harvesting of wild seed is In accordance with the guidelines district-wise potential area of banned by the State Government, of the Aquaculture Authority of the brackishwater is given in Table 1. some collections in remote Government of India, State Level With the advent of scientific estuarine areas of the State still Committee and District Level farming in the early seventies, the continue. To meet the growing Committees have been constituted traditional farmers have also demand of the shrimp farms, there for the purpose of ensuring and resorted to selective stocking with is an urgent need to set up shrimp processing of applications of improvement in production levels. hatcheries and facilities for testing shrimp farmers and recommending The extensive farming is commonly of the seed in the State. them to the Aquaculture Authority known as improved traditional for approval. farming in the State. This system To develop new areas/ existing With an aim to increase production involves construction of peripheral areas for shrimp farming, of farmed shrimps in the State, an canals/ ponds of size ranging from Brackishwater Fish Farmers Integrated Brackishwater 1 – 5 ha. Shrimp seed at the rate of Development Agencies (BFDAs) Aquaculture Development Project 15 000 – 20 000/ ha are stocked. have been operating in the coastal with the assistance of National Water management is done by tidal districts of Midnapore, North and Cooperative Development effect. The average yield is 1 500 – South 24 – Paraganas. Up to 2001- Corporation (NCDC) is being 1 700 kg/ ha, including mullets. 2002, an area of 4 235. 90 ha has implemented by the “Benfish” at Though shrimp farming was in been developed under this Nayachar Island (Meen Dwip) in vogue in West Bengal much before programme. Shrimp farmers under North Midnapore district. Under it started in other States, the BFDAs have adopted improved this project, 175 ha of area has development has been slow as traditional methods of culture so been developed. Moreover, 451.73 compared to other States. Presently, that no environmental hazards are ha water area has been developed the average production from the posed. In most of the farms, under the World Bank aided State is about 436 kg/ ha . shrimps alongwith other Shrimp Culture Project in Canning Availability of hatchery raised seed brackishwater fish species are and Dighirpar of South 24 – is still a constraint in West Bengal. being cultured. Parganas and Digha and

Table 2. Area Covered under Table 3. Shrimp Production in West Bengal (1978 – 2002) BFDA (In metric tonnes)

Year Area (in ha) Year Inland Marine Total 1997 – 1998 327.47 Penaeid Non-Penaeid Penaeid Non-Penaeid 1997 – 1998 17 373 8 161 10 727 3 239 39 500 1998 – 1999 495.79 1998 – 1999 18 357 6 442 11 319 3 947 40 065 1999 – 2000 529.88 1999 – 2000 17 049 6 178 11 599 5 924 40 750 2000 – 2001 499.39 2000 – 2001 16 610 6 075 11 320 6 015 40 020 2001 – 2002 460.45 2001 – 2002 18 200 4 250 11 615 6 130 40 195

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 11 Table 4. Export of Fin and Shellfish from West Bengal through Kolkata Port Year Quantity Value (in mt) (Rs in millions)

1997 – 1998 16 111 4204.4 1998 – 1999 14 450 4166.0 1999 – 2000 15 060 4579.1 2000 – 2001 16 348 5117.0 2001 – 2002 18 420 6309.0 A Dadanpatrabar of North Midnapore sustainable development in V districts. brackishwater fisheries in an eco- YADA S friendly manner, West Bengal Fish Y As a diversified programme, Producers’ Licensing Order, 1994 Healthy environment, healthy shrimp brackishwater crab (Mud crab) has also been promulgated in the culture and fattening in selected 2001-2002, 18 420 tonnes of State. areas is under adaptive trial of the marine products wealth worth Rs Research Wing of the Fisheries West Bengal is one of the pioneer 63090.0 million have been Directorate to explore its State for export of shrimps to exported, of which 90 per cent was potentiality. For ensuring different countries. During the year contributed by shrimps.

Compendium on “Aquaculture Guidelines on Good Management Practices Medicines and Aquatic Animal in Shrimp Farming Health Management” In exercise of the powers developments in small-scale The Aquaculture Authority has conferred by sub-section (3) of shrimp farming in India and initiated work on preparation of a Section 3 of the Environment abroad, and to (ii) formulate Compendium on “Aquaculture (Protection) Act, 1986 the Guidelines on Good Medicines and Aquatic Animal Aquaculture Authority has Management Practices for Health Management” through the been inter alia mandated to shrimp farming operations Centre for Fish Disease implement the “Precautionary taking into considerations the Diagnosis and Management of Principle” and ensure orderly directives of the Supreme the Cochin University of Science and sustainable development of Court in its judgement dated 11 and Technology, Kochi. The shrimp farming in the country. December 1996 (WP (Civil) objectives of bringing out a To fulfil the above function No 561 of 1994) and other Compendium are to make and to enhance the positive interim orders issued from time available a handy source of contributions that shrimp to time. The Guidelines will reference for the use of scientists, farming can make to the cover topics such as site policy makers, development economic growth and poverty selection; design and agencies and the grassroot alleviation in the coastal areas, construction; general pond practitioners of aquaculture in the the Authority has constituted country on the safe and operations; feeds and feed use; an Expert Group to prepare responsible use of aquaculture animal health management; Guidelines on “Good chemicals, drugs, etc. The safe and responsible use of Compendium will include Management Practices in therapeutic agents and other chapters on antimicrobials Shrimp Farming” under the chemicals; effluents and solid (antibacterial, antifungal, and chairmanship of Dr M N Kutty, wastes and their treatment; antiviral); antiprotozoal/ former FAO/UNDP Consultant. community participation and antimetazoal/ antihelminthes The terms of reference of the food safety. compounds; general management Expert Group are to (i) review The Guidelines are expected to chemicals; anesthetics; the contemporary be ready by October 2002. hormones; probiotics and immuno-stimulants; vaccines; HACCP in aquaculture; and The Aquaculture Authority’s website was launched on 28 August 2002. diagnostics. To visit the website, please log on to http://aquaculture.tn.nic.in. Your The Compendium is expected to views/ suggestions are invited to make the site more informative and be ready by November 2002. user-friendly.

12 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 Aquaculture Authority — Publications

Guidelines – Adopting Improved aquaculture practices and the sector and its impact – both Technology for Increasing diversity of their environmental positive and negative on the Production and Productivity in settings, it is likely that some of the environment. The Report has been Traditional and Improved issues addressed in the Guidelines presented in nine chapters. The Traditional Systems of Shrimp would require field-level alterations first chapter, an Introduction, traces Farming to meet the site-specific the genesis of the Hon’ble Supreme requirements of shrimp farmers. Court’s judgement on shrimp The Supreme Court in its farming. The second and third judgement dated 11 December Shrimp Aquaculture and the chapters outline the present status 1996 on shrimp farming inter alia Environment –An Environment of shrimp farming in India and Impact Assessment Report permitted farmers practicing other major shrimp farming traditional and improved traditional The Supreme Court – while countries. The fourth chapter systems of shrimp farming to adopt considering the Review Petitions describes the existing legislation on improved technology for increased filed by the Government of India environment protection and the production, productivity and and other interested groups against Coastal Regulation Zone. Chapters returns with the prior approval of its judgement of 11 December 1996 five and six focus on the coastal the Aquaculture Authority. The in Writ Petition No 561 (C) of 1994 environment protection and the Guidelines for adopting improved – urged that an Environment Impact interactions of shrimp farming with technology have been formulated Assessment Report be obtained the coastal ecosystem, including the with the objective of optimising from an independent authority impacts. Chapter seven deals with yield levels in traditional and about the effect on the environment mitigation measures. Chapter eight improved traditional systems on of the shrimp culture industry/ briefly describes the role of sustainable basis. These shrimp ponds/ shrimp farms and in Government agencies in the Guidelines bring out simple that process felt appropriate to get development of shrimp farming in procedures and lay down the assessment done by the the country. parameters which aim at improving Aquaculture Authority. In chapter nine which is also the the management of shrimp farms concluding chapter, a future plan under traditional and improved This Report, “ Shrimp Aquaculture of action has been suggested for traditional systems to ensure long- and the Environment – An consideration of the Apex Court. term sustainability of the farming Environment Impact Assessment practices. Report” brings out an objective assessment of the shrimp farming Guidelines – Effluent Treatment System in Shrimp Farms Shrimp farm wastewater comprises both living and dead plankton, feed waste, faecal matter and other excretory products of shrimps. Though all these nutrients and organic wastes are biodegradable, beyond a reasonable limit they can result in nutrient enrichment in the open waters (creek, estuary or the ) where the farm wastes are generally released. The Guideline provides a prototype of the Effluent Treatment System (ETS) which can be integrated with the shrimp farm and assist the farmer to improve the wastewater quality before it is released into the open waters. In Copies of the Guidelines and the EIA Report can be obtained from view of the variety of coastal the Aquaculture Authority

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 13 Use of Antibiotics, Drugs and Chemicals in Shrimp Farming and Steps for their Regulation - A Report

he Aquaculture Authority The need for further research to convened a meeting to discuss T standardise prophylactic and control the modalities to regulate the use measures in shrimp culture is real, of antibiotics, drugs and chemicals since commercial-scale farming in shrimp culture and make shrimp practices are of recent origin. farming practices sustainable and Research needs to be strengthened environment- friendly. The and focussed to develop safer and meeting convened on 18 May 2002 biodegradable chemicals for use in at Chennai was chaired by Justice amil Nadu

, T aquaculture. G Ramanujam, Chairman, DOF Aquaculture Authority and attended Based on the discussions held in by 12 Experts representing pharmacologically active the meeting of the Expert Group, different agencies, including the compounds presently in use in the following recommendations shrimp farming sector. shrimp farming in India. MPEDA were made: had also prepared a detailed Justice Ramanujam in his monitoring plan for testing (i) A list of 20 antibiotics, drugs introductory remarks stressed on antibiotic and chemical residues in and pharmacologically active the need for sustainability in farmed shrimp. The monitoring substances and four antibiotics shrimp farming. He stated that the plan envisages collection of for which a certain level of residue is permissible in the unscientific use of antibiotics, samples from shrimp farms and finished product was drugs and other pharmacologically processing units directly by considered by the Expert active compounds can have adverse MPEDA and testing them for Group. It was recommended impact on human health and also pesticide and antibiotic residues. the environment. Most of the that Aquaculture Authority countries importing marine The Expert Group noted that might consider including a products from India do not permit several ‘aqua shops’ in Andhra provision in the approval given any residue level of banned Pradesh and Tamil Nadu sell to shrimp farmers prohibiting antibiotics and chemicals. antibiotics, drugs and chemicals use of banned antibiotics/ Therefore, from the export angle and other medical formulations pharmacologically active also we must ensure that the shrimp unauthorisedly for shrimp culture, substances* during the shrimp farmers do not use antibiotics, etc. disregarding the ban on several of culture operations. This which have the potential to harm such products. Most of the condition will enable the human health and adversely impact products marketed are without label Aquaculture Authority to regulate the use of banned the environment. and any description of their antibiotics, chemicals, etc and composition/ usage. It was also The various chemicals and to cancel the approval if the ban noted that under the pretext of pharmacologically active compounds is violated by the farmers. The probiotics, there are several used in grow-out ponds and Expert Group also noted that preparations marketed which hatcheries in both freshwater and this ban would in no way contain antibiotics. Probiotics is a coastal aquaculture in India can be hamper the farming practices, big business today worth 300-400 classified into the following broad as there were several safe crores and most of them are categories: water/ soil treatment alternative compounds imported. products, disinfectants, piscicides, herbicides, organic and inorganic It was opined that the distress * The Aquaculture Authority approved fertilizers, feed additives, harvest of shrimps should not go the recommendations of the Expert Group therapeutants and anesthetics. for either domestic marketing or in its 27th Meeting held at Chennai on 31May 2002. The list of 20 banned It was informed that the Marine exports and suggested that the antibiotics and pharmacologically active Products Export Development marketing of shrimp seed and feed substances (see box) now form a part of Authority(MPEDA) had prepared a should be regulated for ensuring the approval given by the Authority to list of drugs, chemicals and other quality sustainability. shrimp farmers.

14 l Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 available to be used by the (iv)The Expert Group shrimp farmers during crisis. recommended amendments to the Livestock Importation Act (ii) As creation of awareness is vital for achieving the to regulate the import of objectives of regulating the use shrimp and other aquatic of antibiotics, drugs, chemicals, animal feed and suggested that etc in shrimp farming, a the list of antibiotics and other comprehensive programme is pharmacologically active necessary to educate the shrimp substances approved in the farmers and those associated meeting might be considered

amil Nadu for inclusion in the said Act.

with the manufacture, supply , T

and marketing of such DOF The promulgation of a Feed and chemicals, etc. MPEDA was Use of lime helps in maintenance of Seed Act was also requested to consider chalking water and soil quality recommended, the modalities of out a programme and also which could be discussed by Territories. It was also preparing necessary awareness the Aquaculture Authority in its recommended to establish material in consultation with next meeting. modern laboratories accessible the Aquaculture Authority. to the processing centres for This programme would be (v) The Ministry of Agriculture, testing antibiotic residues in implemented with the active Department of Animal farmed shrimp at selected cooperation of the coastal Husbandry & Dairying may places. The Expert Group States/ Union Territories. consider regulating the use of suggested that this probiotics as they contain live (iii)To assist shrimp farmers in recommendation might be organisms and probiotics of management of animal health considered by the Ministry of foreign origin may have the and water quality in farms, it Agriculture and the coastal was recommended to set up States/ Union Territories while potential to introduce exotic mobile laboratories in the preparing their schemes for the species, the impact of which coastal States/ Union Tenth Five Year Plan. may not be known. It was also informed that guidelines for List of Antibiotics and other Pharmacologically Active Substances manufacturing, import and Banned by Aquaculture Authority marketing of probiotics will be detailed in the proposed S No Antibiotics and other Maximum Permissible Compendium on Aquaculture Pharmacologically Active Residual Level Medicines and Aquatic Animal Substances (in ppm) Health Management. 1. Chloramphenicol Nil 2. Nitrofurans including: Furaltadone, (vi)The Ministry of Agriculture, Furazolidone, Furylfuramide, Nifuratel, Department of Animal Nifuroxime, Nifurprazine, Nitrofurantoin, Husbandry & Dairying may Nitrofurazone Nil consider issuing Executive 3. Neomycin Nil Orders to the State 4. Nalidixic acid Nil Governments/ UTs on imposing 5. Sulphamethoxazole Nil effective ban on the use of 6. Aristolochia spp and preparations thereof Nil drugs, chemicals, etc for 7. Chloroform Nil aquaculture. The Ministry of 8. Chlorpromazine Nil Agriculture may also consider 9. Colchicine Nil requesting the Ministry of 10. Dapsone Nil Health and Family Welfare 11. Dimetridazole Nil 12. Metronidazole Nil (office of the Drug Controller) 13. Ronidazole Nil to issue directives to the drug 14. Ipronidazole Nil manufacturers to label the 15. Other nitroimidazoles Nil bottles/ packets of veterinary 16. Clenbuterol Nil grade drugs with ‘Not for use 17. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Nil in Shrimp Culture’. This 18. Sulfonamide drugs (except approved would help in checking the Sulfadimethoxine, Sulfabromomethazine rampant use of veterinary grade and Sulfaethoxypyridazine) Nil drugs in shrimp farming. 19. Fluroquinolones Nil 20. Glycopeptides Nil — P Pakshirajan

Aquaculture Authority News l September 2002 l 15 Posters on Sustainable Shrimp Farming

Posters play an important role in communication and Aquaculture Authority has effectively utilised this media to propagate the elements of sustainable and environment-friendly shrimp farming. A set of four posters in bright and beautiful colours was released during the recently concluded Expert Consultation on Development of Sustainable Shrimp Farming in India. These posters depict some good management practices and the precautionary approach to sustainable shrimp farming, the life cycle of penaid shrimps and integration of fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture and other uses in sustainable coastal zone development. Those interested in the posters can write to Aquaculture Authority for free copies.

Edited and published by Y S Yadava for the Aquaculture Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Shastri Bhavan Annexe (Second Floor), 26, Haddows Road, Chennai – 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India. Tel: 91 – 44 – 8216552, 91 – 44 – 8234683; Fax: 91 – 44 – 8216552; Email: [email protected] Website: http://aquaculture.tn.nic.in 16 l Aquaculture Authority NewsPrintedl Se byptember Nagaraj 2002and Company Private Limited, Chennai – 600 041, India, Tel: 4413133, 4911725