FROM EAST TO WEST: THE IMPACT OF POST LARVAE SELECTION ON SHRIMP FARMING IN INDONESIA

The success of shrimp farming depends heavily on the quality of the shrimp larvae. To support farmers’ success, broodstock companies continuously improve the genetic makeup of shrimp broodstock. Recently, a type of strain has emerged with a superior ability to defend against diseases and survive in harsh conditions.

The Secretary General of the Indonesian Shrimp Breeding Communication Forum (FKPUI), Waiso, has divided superior varieties into two main groups: those tailored for fast growth and those tailored for high survival rates. While fast-growth PLs have a growth advantage, they are generally less resilient. Conversely, shrimp with high survival rates have better disease resistance but at the expense of slower growth rates. Both types of shrimp are currently utilized in the market.

Survival VS Growth

According to Waiso, it is important for shrimp farmers to understand the differences and advantages of each type of shrimp genetics to avoid choosing the wrong larvae. The industry veteran with 23 years of experience in the hatchery industry explains that generally, shrimp with high survival genetics are used as a possible solution for farms in red zones or locations severely prone to diseases. On the other hand, fastgrowth larvae are commonly used in green zone areas.

Frans Anthony, the owner of the PT. Maju Tambak Sumur (MTS) hatchery in Bandar Lampung expressed similar sentiments. Frans explains that the trend in shrimp breeding is shifting towards high resistance/ high survival due to the increasing number of diseases. In the western region of Indonesia, from Medan to West Java, AHPND has become endemic, and only a few pockets of areas remain disease-free. Even Padang, a relatively new production area, has been infiltrated by AHPND. “That’s why shrimp farmers must demand strong larvae from hatcheries, not just clean ones. Because SPF larvae (Specific Pathogen Free) do not guarantee their body’s resistance during culture,” said Frans, who has been in the hatchery business since 2000.

Frans notes that the demand for larvae is largely influenced by the collective mindset of shrimp farmers in the area. He gives an example that most shrimp farmers in the western region of Indonesia aren’t far from bankruptcy and cannot afford to fail. They prioritize safety over profit and prefer less profit but higher chances of success. “That’s why more and more shrimp farmers in the western region appreciate larvae with strong resistance. As MTS hatchery has reached markets from Aceh to West Java, we are ready and capable of supplying high-resistance PL with improved resistance. The survival rate at our hatchery reaches 70-90% and can reach 80-100% in the pond,” claimed Frans.

The demand for shrimp post-larvae (PL) in western Indonesia is primarily dominated by resistant lines, while in eastern Indonesia, fast-growth varieties are preferred by farmers. Henry Wijaya, the owner of Prima Larvae Bali (PLB), attributes this preference toward fastgrowth PLs as they grow quicker, especially in better water conditions. Farmers should emphasize more on pond and water preparation prior to stocking. “One advantage of the fast growth genetic trait is that it shorterns the grow-out period. You can plan for an extra crop in a year if you can optimize the farm grow-out cycle using nursery system,” Henry acknowledges.

The Head of Marketing at PLB, Dindin Abdul Qodir, adds that in addition to being able to shorten the grow-out period, farmers in eastern Indonesia generally choose fast-growth shrimp post-larvaes because they are implementing more technological development in the shrimp farms. On the other hand, in western Indonesia, farmers may choose high-resistant shrimp post-larvaes because they need to adapt to the existing farm conditions. “At PLB, we tend to provide fast­growth shrimp post-larvaes that are free from all existing viruses and are derived from PLB’s own broodstock. Usually, farmers request a sample of the shrimp seed to be checked by PCR first. As a result, the survival rate can reach 70-80%, and we have achieved size 18 in 145 days of culture,” claims Dindin, whose shrimp seed marketing area covers Padang, Riau, Makassar, Karimun Jawa, East Java, West Java, Central Java, Madura, Luwuk, Palu, and Banjarmasin.”

Maximizing Shrimp Farming Success: Strategies for Genetic Type, Feeding Management,

and Biosecurity Measures in Post­larvae Management

Selecting shrimp post-larvae that are well-suited to their environmental zone is crucial for success in shrimp farming. However, applying a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) optimized for the genetic type of the post-larvae used in the pond is also essential. According to Waiso, post-larvae with high resistance and those with fast growth require different handling procedures to achieve optimal performance. For example, high-resistance post-larvae require high protein feed (at least 34%) because they eat slowly and need immediate protein and nutrient fulfillment for growth. Therefore, by tailoring handling procedures to the specific genetic types of the post-larvae, farmers can maximize their growth and survival rates, leading to more successful and profitable shrimp farming.

Frans also emphasizes the importance of proper feeding management for high-resistance post-larvae. He notes that these post-larvae have a fundamentally different growth pattern from those selected for fast growth. They are slow growers, and farmers must accept this fact to avoid overfeeding and wasting feed. Frans cautions that farmers who expect high average daily gains (ADG) will be tempted to overfeed their post-larvae, leading to uneaten food, water pollution, and ultimately, failed cultures or high feed conversion rates. “This is the first key to successful feeding management,” he explains.

Henry, a seasoned farmer, emphasizes the importance of selecting healthy post-larvae. He recommends conducting quality checks and ensuring the post-larvae are free from existing viruses before stocking them to the pond. Additionally, Henry advises farmers to carefully evaluate the hatchery’s biosecurity practices, as using local fresh feed has a high probability of contamination, especially considering the high prevalence of diseases in the water.

Prima Larvae Bali (PLB) implements strict SOPs and biosecurity, using only imported frozen worm and frozen squid for broodstock diet, prohibiting employees from going to the sea or beach, and restricting them from consuming seafood in the hatchery.

Frans also does several things in MTS to maintain the quality of his post-larvae. He explains that the MTS hatchery has been all-out seeking tough genetic strains since 2020. According to Frans, the toughness of the broodstock already appears in the hatchery. “The broodstock is handled a lot, and they can be moved from one tank to another several times a day. Normally, broodstock will shrink and die naturally. But, to our surprise, high-resistance broodstocks DON’T DIE, given the same con- dition and handling! So this character of toughness and high survival mode is evidenced even during the mating phase in the hatchery,” he claims.

Finally, as a member of the association, Waiso emphasizes the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in the shrimp farming industry. He believes that genetics, hatcheries, feed, and medicine providers should work together toward achieving success in shrimp cultivation. To achieve this, there should be a focus on the development of human resources in the pond, particularly the technicians who must stay up-to-date with the latest cultivation technologies. Waiso emphasizes that each shrimp’s genetics requires different handling, and it is the technician’s responsibility to understand these nuances. Waiso concludes by emphasizing that success in shrimp cultivation relies heavily on the industry’s human resources, who must be willing to change their mindset and adapt to new technologies and practices.