Sustainable black tiger shrimp in Bangladesh

Partnership for sustainable black tiger shrimp in Bangladesh

Partnership for sustainable black tiger shrimp in Bangladesh

Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) and the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) have joined forces on a World Bank-funded project of the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries to uplift the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) and the country’s small-scale shrimp farmers and revitalise black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming. This partnership was announced in August 2021. Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation On April 27, during the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) held in Barcelona, Spain, Dr George Chamberlain, (BSFF) have joined forces on a World GSA, assembled buyers, NGOs and stakeholders to a dialog on marketing sustainable black tiger shrimp from Bangladesh. Bank-funded project of the Bangladesh

Department of Fisheries to uplift the Bangladesh exports 85% of its shrimp to Europe. According to Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports of black tiger shrimpin six months of the 2021-2022 fiscal year (Julycountry’s small-scale shrimp farmers and December 2021) were valued at USD268.95 million(seafoodsource.com), an increase of 38.2revitalise black tiger shrimp (Penaeus % from USD 194.58 million in the same period in 2020. monodon) farming. This partnership was The black tiger shrimp is a major export commodity for Bangladesh. The species is farmed announced in August 2021. at very 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 compromised quality. held in Barcelona, Spain, Dr George Chamberlain, GSA, Chamberlain said that the opportunity is to form clusters of farms, sell directly to processors, assembled buyers, NGOs and stakeholders to a dialogue produce premium quality, return a fair value to farmers and help them increase yields using on marketing sustainable black tiger shrimp from improved practices. This is however an enormous challenge because farms are small, often one hectare in size. Farms cover a total area of 250,000ha. The challenge is also how to group, train, Bangladesh. track, improve and reward such large numbers of small farms in such remote areas. From a social aspect, there is the opportunity to lift farmers out of poverty by producing distinctive size, quality Bangladesh exports 85% of its shrimp to Europe. According and brand such as “Premium Natural Tiger Shrimp.” to Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports The project will also encourage adoption of third-party certification to ensure compliance with international standards and strict product quality grades to incentivise production of Grade A of black tiger shrimp in six months of the 2021-2022 fiscal year (July-December 2021) were valued at USD268.95 million (seafoodsource.com), an increase of 38.2% from

USD 194.58 million in the same period in 2020.

The black tiger shrimp is a major export commodity for

Bangladesh. The species is farmed at very 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 transport the collective harvest to processors, often with delayed delivery and compromised quality.

Chamberlain said that the opportunity is to form clusters of farms, sell directly to processors, produce premium quality, return a fair value to farmers and help them increase yields using improved practices. This is however an enormous challenge because farms are small, often one hectare in size. Farms cover a total area of 250,000ha. The challenge is also how to group, train, track, improve and reward such large numbers of small farms in such remote areas. From a social aspect, there is the opportunity to lift farmers out of poverty by producing distinctive size, quality and brand such as “Premium Natural Tiger Shrimp.”

The project will also encourage adoption of third-party certification to ensure compliance with international 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 programs in collaboration with The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS). The successful implementation of this project will benefit small-scale black tiger shrimp farms in other producing countries and to help revitalise the black tiger shrimp market worldwide. During this meeting, NGOs and marketeers shared views on improving productivity and net incomes of black tiger shrimp farmers in Bangladesh. Mahbubul Haque, Director General, Department of Fisheries, said that each cluster comprises 25 farms and to date 300 clusters have been formed. Productivity can double with deeper ponds and by July, the first crop will be ready to market. On sourcing shrimp from small scale farmers, Dominique Gautier, Sea Fresh Group listed three points; the need for an authority to organise the group and control production practices; an agreed code of management practices and compliance to enter the group; and control systems to document compliance. He emphasised that management practices include traceability, responsible sources of post larvae, use of chemicals, impact on water resources, pathogen control, responsible working conditions and many more. Some of these are usually handled by processors. Processors can access markets without third party certification, but this depends on the internal control systems. On certification, Gautier said that local buyers and processors need to play key roles in ensuring food safety, from harvest to processing as well as with funding. Chamberlain explored as an example the marketing of sustainable black tiger shrimp by Unima in Madagascar into the premium markets in Europe. One concern raised by a UK based buyer is how to pitch the black tiger and against vannamei as the younger generation is very familiar with the latter. If black tiger is bigger and better, how do we sell this story. One option is working with chefs to create a story. A local company called for repositioning the black tiger which requires changing the perception of global consumers through rebranding, reassurance and coordinated marketing campaign (aci-bd.com). The issue of image building was raised and ultimately, Bangladesh like other Asia seafood producers, needs to be quick to counter adverse information in social media and online articles and work towards generic marketing for its black tiger shrimp.