Dr Kerry Claydon, an IAI expert told the 6th Aquaculture Seminar on "The Impact of Diseases on Shrimp Culture" organised by the Brunei Fisheries Department that health checks needed to be made regularly to protect the harvest.
Dr Claydon told the conference at Kiulap Plaza Hotel the viral diseases have now changed the way shrimp is farmed.
According to reports on Brunei On-Line, Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp, which could carve a niche in international high value seafood markets, are now being bred in Brunei.
The conference heard that SPF shrimp larvae are expected to be available by September.
Dr George Chamberlain, Technical Director of Integrated Aquaculture International (TAT) said that a three-year project has seen the TAT develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export.
Dr Chamberlain told the seminar that the industry needed to produce large high value shrimp for the premium markets.
Among the 80 participants of the seminar was Brunei Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd Jaafar together with Fisheries Department Director Hajah Hasnah bte Ibrahim and other officers from the Department of Fisheries.
The seminar is part of a series of talks organised by the Department of Fisheries to improve the productivity of shrimp farms in the country, aimed at raising awareness among farmers on the importance of implementing good aquaculture practices including disease control.
Disease Control Needed for Shrimp Farmers
BRUNEI - Viral diseases affecting shrimps have hit the industry hard economically around the world.