DESPITE the efforts to bolster the aquaculture industry here in Brunei Darussalam, the local shrimp farming industry is having great difficulty in blossoming.
"It could be a matter of months, if not years, before some of our companies will fold," says Hj Nasrul Hakim, who helps operate a family business that has been farming shrimp for 13 years now.
The major difficulties encountered by the local shrimp farmers here is that since having been advised to culture a different species of shrimp, the previous species have come back to haunt the industry, which is thought to be less suitable locally and abroad for culturing and export.
Previously the local shrimp industry had moved from culturing Vanna Mei shrimp, which is easily found for sale in local markets here in Brunei because of its high yield from the harvests. According to local shrimp farmers here in Brunei, almost eight to 10 tonnes of Vanna Mei is imported here into Brunei every 10 days.
Shrimps, are susceptible to diseases, which either stunt the growth of the said shrimps or see them develop with deformities. As they are animals without sophisticated immune systems, diseases can spread through whole shrimp farms. However the most pressing aspect is that a shrimp infected by disease could be ingested by birds, which then spread the disease when travelling to other shrimp farms or feeding grounds, threatening the entire industry.
The move to Rostiris shrimp, was thought to be the way forward, a shrimp which is larger, less susceptible to disease and considered to be in greater demand among eateries and restaurants. However the costs involved meant that prices are higher.
At this point in time though the shrimp farmers, after having switched to the culturing of Rostiris, have discovered that yields are significantly less. "From 150,000 fries yields of up to two tonnes can be expected," said a local shrimp farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity. "With the previous shrimp (Vanna Mei) we could get up to four tonnes."
Judging by the complaints from shrimp farmers, attempts to cater for the export market have meant that competitiveness within the local market has come at a steep price.
During a quick trip to the Gadong wet markets The Brunei Times saw that prices for a kilo of imported Vanna Mei shrimp was $4, whereas the shrimp cultured locally in Brunei was priced at $10. "We are forced to lower our price and sell at a loss, because if we do not, the shrimp will go rotten," said the local shrimp farmer. Cutting their losses is only the tip of the iceberg, with many of the shrimp farmers finding it hard coming to grips with the extremely low price of imported shrimp.
"We know now that it is not illegal for them to import the shrimp, but asking us to culture a shrimp which is more expensive to our clients and difficult to sell could see the collapse of the whole industry," said Hj Nasrul Hakim.
Meanwhile the anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus Monodon, being bred in Brunei has been met with scepticism from the members of the shrimp farming community here in Brunei Darussalam.
During the 6th Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department in March 2008, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process was nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in the last quarter of 2008.
The three-year project which has seen the Department of Fisheries and Integrated Aquaculture International develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export. These stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status. Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The approach is such that Brunei can carve a niche for itself in international high value seafood markets. The shrimps, which have been aimed at reaching 40gm per individual shrimp, will be aimed at exports but could easily satisfy the local market.
However one critical aspect which needs to be addressed is the fact that the production in Brunei Darussalam in itself is fragmented. To fulfil export demands, Brunei will need to find appropriate buyers that can be satisfied by the production from the Sultanate's infant shrimp industry. For the most part, the 13 shrimp farms will need to combine their production to achieve the numbers that are generally demanded by foreign markets.
Shrimp farmers face high costs for post-larvae, feed and labour, making it a challenge to compete on price with shrimps constantly being brought in to cater for Brunei's price sensitive consumption. Exports will therefore need to target a different market.
The Monodon could prove to be a winner, due to being a larger shrimp and even popular locally.
Yet in order to be successful in its endeavours abroad, the Brunei Monodon will need to be marketed appropriately, with HACCP and EU certifications in place.
While the race is on for Brunei's shrimp industry to find a way to become competitive against the imported Vanna Mei, the local industry itself needs to be convinced that the new Monodon shrimp is the right produce for their farms.
The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources in 2006 underscored the potential of Brunei's fisheries sector, which could achieve total receipts of $400 million in 2023.
From this forecast it has been widely projected that $200 million could come from aquaculture, with a further $113 million from prawn breeding. Last year the production achieved by Brunei's local shrimp industry surpassed 573 tonnes — 374.79 tonnes were shipped abroad in 2006.
(With additional reporting by Ubaidillah Masli)
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