Shrimp Farm Growth ‘Dazzles’

Shrimp farming continued its amazing record of growth in 1989 with global production up a “dazzling” 18%, according to an authoritative trade journal report.

Virtually an unknown entity in 1980, the commercial production of shrimp has skyrocketed to 565,000 metric tons in the past 12 months, according to World Shrimp Farming 1989, an annual report published by San Diego-based Aquaculture Digest.

This year’s gains have occurred despite set-backs to industries in two nations that are leaders in the field: Ecuador and Taiwan. But the top three production areas--China, Indonesia and Thailand--more than made up for losses elsewhere.

The success of aquacultured shrimp, however, has caused prices for the crustacean to drop as much as 50%, particularly in the mid-sized range where the farmed product is concentrated.

“Shrimp farmers now produce 26% of the shrimp placed on world markets--fishermen 74%--out of a total market of 2.2 million metric tons,” the 28-page review stated. “New products coming on line in 1990 and 1991 will push the production of farm-raised shrimp to new records, leading to further deterioration in world shrimp prices and a shake out in the farm-raised shrimp industry.”

Well positioned, in any event, seems to be the People’s Republic of China. Without fanfare, the nation is now in its fourth year as the world’s leading producer with about 30% of the crop, according to the report. And if prices continue to decline, China is still better-off than most other producing nations.

“With the lowest production costs in the world, China, already the largest producer of farm-raised shrimp, has just begun to develop its vast potential for shrimp farming,” the journal stated. China’s shrimp production goal is said to be two million metric tons by the year 2000, a level that is equal to this year’s entire shrimp market, farmed or wild.

The United States, Japan and Europe are the major markets for farmed shrimp. However, sales to the Europeans have been limited because consumers there believe the wild shrimp have a better taste than the farm-raised variety, the report stated.

As much as 50% of China’s production is sold in this country and that level is likely to continue, said Bob Rosenberry, publisher of Aquaculture Digest.

“A lot of the shrimp sold here is from the People’s Republic. We bought half of China’s crop in 1988 and that would amount to hundreds of millions of dollars,” he said.

Despite the fact that sales of shrimp in the United States approach $2 billion annually, Rosenberry does not believe that shrimp farming will ever amount to a major domestic industry.

“Farmers in tropical countries can produce shrimp at a much lower price (than their American counterparts),” he said.

At present, there are 35 shrimp farms in this country, based primarily in Texas, Hawaii and South Carolina. Together the operations produce only 10,000 metric tons annually, or less than 2% of the world’s total.

Rosenberry does not anticipate much expansion in the domestic farms unless the shrimp raised here can be marketed at premium prices to the speciality food industry.

World Shrimp Farming 1989 can be obtained by writing Aquaculture Digest, 9434 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego 92126. Cost is $25 per copy.

Looking Forward--Despite the unenthusiastic forecast for shrimp farming in this country, several other U.S. aquaculture ventures are projected to become increasingly important sources of fresh water fish and seafood in the 1990s, according to an industry trade group.

The National Fisheries Institute recently issued a report on important trends in the seafood business. Chief among these is the enhanced role aquaculture will play in making fish more available, improving quality and insuring freshness.

“The growth of aquaculture . . . is outpacing all other types of farming in this country,” the report stated. “In 1988, nearly 8% of (all) the seafood we ate was cultivated domestically. Large quantities of imported product are also farm-raised.”

The four major species being raised in ponds, tanks or in ocean-based pens are catfish, crawfish, trout and salmon. Other varieties also show promise, according to the institute, such as tilapia, striped bass, redfish, sturgeon and abalone.

“The advent of aquaculture will improve the overall distribution of seafood as producers meet market needs for fresher fish, delivered more frequently, to more remote parts of the country. With farmed fish, growers can specify when to harvest, thus providing buyers with more precise sizes and product forms,” the report stated.

The fisheries institute is also projecting that federal lawmakers will pass legislation creating a broad-based seafood inspection program before the 101st Congress adjourns in 1992. The trade group, which has over 1,000 corporate members, has already endorsed an expanded inspection role for the federal government. Such a plan, when implemented, will improve consumer confidence in seafood, the report stated.

As a result of improved supplies and quality, the institute predicts that U.S. per capita consumption of seafood will increase to about 20 pounds annually by 2001, up from its current level of 15 pounds. The increased consumption will occur among that segment of the public that already eats the most fish and shellfish, namely 25- to 45-year-olds.

A proliferation of exotic species is also likely, according to the institute. At present, most Americans are familiar with only about 10 different fish varieties. There are more than 300 species being sold commercially today and some of these are likely to obtain mainstream acceptability.

Mussels Now Cleansed--State officials have lifted the quarantine on recreational harvesting of mussels from the California coast. Normally, the prohibition is in effect from May through October because of a naturally occurring toxin in the shellfish.

However, the restriction was extended by the state Health Services Department this year because late season mussel samples indicated high levels of the toxin still present. Ingestion of contaminated bivalves can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. Two such cases were reported in September after a family consumed mussels gathered from a southern Mendocino County beach.

The quarantine is necessary because the mussels consume a plankton that can concentrate the toxin in their systems. The prohibition is limited to sports fishermen because the commercial fleet has alternate sources and is also closely monitored and regulated by state health officials.

More information on paralytic shellfish poisoning can be obtained through the health service department’s “Shellfish Information Line,” at (415) 540-2605.