Shrimp is a valuable aquatic food resource high in protein and commands good export markets/ It has become the main target commodity for aquafarming in recent years.
Traditionally, shrimp fry are trapped and held in ponds and later collected by shrimp gatherers for stocking in grow-out ponds. With increasing demand for shrimp, supply of wild fry for the increasing number of shrimp farms has become insufficient and inconsistent. The breakthrough in the completion of the life cycle of commercially important shrimps in captivity, such as the tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), the Japanese kuruma ebi (P. japonicus), the eastern shrimp (P. orientalis) and the banana shrimp (P. indicus or P. merguiensis), has greatly enhanced mass production of shrimp fry under hatchery conditions. The excellent growth performance of these hatchery-bred fry in grow-out ponds strongly shows that the shrimp hatchery can answer the industry needs for ample supply of shrimp fry for farming.
From many years of accumulated experience and research findings, the success of a shrimp hatchery depends on:
the choice of a suitable site
effectiveness and efficiency of the hatchery design
experience of hatchery technicians
efficiency of operational management
