Industry News
5
Partnership for sustainable black tiger shrimp in Bangladesh
Partnership for sustainable black tiger shrimp in Bangladesh
standards and strict product quality grades to incentivise production of Grade A product. This approach will yield large, naturally pigmented black tiger shrimp with excellent quality, international certification and low carbon footprint. These attributes are expected to generate more consumer confidence and satisfaction, premium prices in the international markets, attractive returns to small-scale farmers and sustainable development of the sector. However, the enormous number of farms will need AIPs (aquaculture improvement programs). Subsequent steps will include improved farm productivity with high quality post larvae produced from SPF broodstock, supplemental feeds from low-carbon-footprint ingredients and educational Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) and the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) have joined programs in collaboration with The Center for Responsible forces on a World Bank-funded project of the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries to uplift the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) and the Seafood (TCRS). The successful implementation of this country’s small-scale shrimp farmers and revitalise black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming. Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation project will benefit small-scale black tiger shrimp farms in This partnership was announced in August 2021. other producing countries and to help revitalise the black have joined forces on Spain, a Dr World On(BSFF) April 27, during the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) held in Barcelona, George Chamberlain, tiger shrimp market worldwide. GSA, assembled buyers, NGOs and stakeholders to a dialog on marketing sustainable black tiger
Bank-funded project of the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries to uplift the During this meeting, NGOs and marketeers shared views Bangladesh exports 85% of its shrimp to Europe. According to Bangladesh’s Export Promotion country’s small-scale shrimp farmers and on improving productivity and net incomes of black tiger Bureau (EPB), exports of black tiger shrimp in six months of the 2021-2022 fiscal year (Julyshrimp farmers in Bangladesh. Mahbubul Haque, Director revitalise black tiger (Penaeus at USD268.95 millionshrimp (seafoodsource.com), an increase of 38.2 % December 2021) were valued General, Department of Fisheries, said that each cluster from USD 194.58 million in the same period in 2020. monodon) farming. This partnership was comprises 25 farms and to date 300 clusters have been formed. Productivity can double with deeper ponds and by Theannounced black tiger shrimp is a in major export commodity for Bangladesh. The species is farmed at very August 2021. July, the first crop will be ready to market. shrimp from Bangladesh.
low density without supplemental feed and can easily reach 300g. Production is from small scale farms harvesting small quantities, middlemen aggregate production from multiple farms and On April 27, during the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) transport the collective harvest to processors, often with delayed delivery and compromisedOn quality. sourcing
shrimp from small scale farmers, Dominique held in Barcelona, Spain, Dr George Chamberlain, GSA, Gautier, Sea Fresh Group listed three points; the need for Chamberlain said that the opportunity is to formstakeholders clusters of farms, sell to processors, assembled buyers, NGOs and todirectly a dialogue an authority to organise the group and control production produce quality, return a fair value to black farmers and help them increase yields on premium marketing sustainable tiger shrimp fromusing practices; an agreed code of management practices and improved practices. This is however an enormous challenge because farms are small, often one Bangladesh. hectare in size. Farms cover a total area of 250,000ha. The challenge is also how to group, train, compliance to enter the group; and control systems to track, improve and reward such large numbers of small farms in such remote areas. From a social document compliance. He emphasised that management Bangladesh exports 85% of its shrimp to Europe. According aspect, there is the opportunity to lift farmers out of poverty by producing distinctive size, quality practices include traceability, responsible sources of Bangladesh’s Promotion andto brand such as “PremiumExport Natural Tiger Shrimp.” Bureau (EPB), exports post larvae, use of chemicals, impact on water resources, of black tiger shrimp in six months of the 2021-2022 fiscal The project will also encourage adoption of third-party certification to ensure compliance with pathogen control, responsible working conditions year (July-December 2021) were valued at USD268.95 international standards and strict product quality grades to incentivise production of Grade A and many more. Some of these are usually handled by million (seafoodsource.com), an increase of 38.2% from processors. Processors can access markets without third USD 194.58 million in the same period in 2020. party certification, but this depends on the internal control systems. On certification, Gautier said that local buyers and The black tiger shrimp is a major export commodity for processors need to play key roles in ensuring food safety, Bangladesh. The species is farmed at very low density from harvest to processing as well as with funding. without supplemental feed and can easily reach 300g. Production is from small scale farms harvesting small Chamberlain explored as an example the marketing of quantities, middlemen aggregate production from multiple sustainable black tiger shrimp by Unima in Madagascar farms and transport the collective harvest to processors, into the premium markets in Europe. One concern often with delayed delivery and compromised quality. raised by a UK based buyer is how to pitch the black tiger and against vannamei as the younger generation Chamberlain said that the opportunity is to form clusters of is very familiar with the latter. If black tiger is bigger farms, sell directly to processors, produce premium quality, and better, how do we sell this story. One option is return a fair value to farmers and help them increase yields working with chefs to create a story. A local company using improved practices. This is however an enormous called for repositioning the black tiger which requires challenge because farms are small, often one hectare in changing the perception of global consumers through size. Farms cover a total area of 250,000ha. The challenge rebranding, reassurance and coordinated marketing is also how to group, train, track, improve and reward such campaign (aci-bd.com). The issue of image building large numbers of small farms in such remote areas. From was raised and ultimately, Bangladesh like other a social aspect, there is the opportunity to lift farmers out Asia seafood producers, needs to be quick to counter of poverty by producing distinctive size, quality and brand adverse information in social media and online articles such as “Premium Natural Tiger Shrimp.” and work towards generic marketing for its black tiger shrimp. The project will also encourage adoption of third-party certification to ensure compliance with international May/June 2022 AQUA Culture Asia Pacific
