Many of the countries bordering on the South China Sea have practised shrimp culture for a number of years. Yet, in spite of all the talk about the bright potential of shrimp culture it is not yet a very profitable business except in a few isolated instances. Shrimp culture in the region is still primarily traditional; in some countries it is essentially a subsistence industry while in others it is a secondary source of income in polyculture. The small scale traditional shrimp farms play an important role in the region because they provide a living for a large number of people. Production from these farms can be increased substantially with only minor improvements in design and operating procedures. This type of aquaculture has great potential for development as an artisanal industry in many of the areas within the region which have high unemployment and under utilized land, such as mangrove.
Almost all countries in the region are conducting research to develop new or improved culture techniques and progress is being made, but the problem of developing a more viable shrimp culture industry is not only dependent on the development of new scientific breakthroughs. There are procedures already in use, both within and outside the region, that could be used advantageously by others. One of the primary needs is the dissemination of existing information. Researchers and farmers in each country have to be made aware of existing culture techniques being used successfully in other countries. This report attempts to do this.
The author has had the opportunity to travel extensively and observe shrimp culture practices within the region at both research stations and commercial farms. This report is based on field visits to four countries bordering the South China Sea (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand), previous FAO field assignments to Thailand and Indonesia, and on published and unpublished information obtained from discussions with fishery officers, biologists and shrimp farmers. Successful culture techniques and well designed equipment observed in the various countries are described in hopes they can be further tested and put into general use by others. Similarly, problem areas are defined and possible solutions put forth.
