Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plans (ISPs) Platform

PCAARRD's Industry Strategic Science and Technology Programs
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Shrimp Industry Profile

The shrimp industry is an important component of the aquaculture sector in the Philippines. Shrimps are sold fresh and whole, frozen or processed into shrimp powder, paste or sauce. Shrimp started as an incidental harvest in brackish water ponds before its production boom in the mid-1980. However, the Philippine shrimp industry underwent a decline in production. In 2020, the total shrimp/prawn production was 70,474.77 MT with the leading species black tiger shrimp’s production of 42,452.94 MT and pacific white or whiteleg shrimp’s production of 20,632.89 MT. Other recorded species are endeavor prawn, white shrimp and freshwater shrimp. 

The black tiger shrimp, which ranges from 9 to 11 inches, is the largest shrimp species. Aside from its size, it can also be identified by the black stripes on its back and tail. The whiteleg shrimp, on the other hand, generally has translucent white in color and can grow up to 9 inches.

Problems in the Industry

Farmed shrimps, particularly the black tiger shrimp or “sugpo” is an important foreign exchange earner until production dropped due to disease outbreaks and difficulty faced in recovery. Of foremost threat is the White Spot Syndrome Disease Virus which causes high shrimp mortality and economic losses.  Other issues faced by the industry are low production yield, high cost of broodstock (P. vannamei), and unavailability of good quality local breed/strain both for P. vannamei and P. monodon.

ISP for Shrimp

The PCAARRD Shrimp Industry Strategic S&T Program aims to revive the shrimp industry by providing solutions to the perennial problem of disease occurrence. The ISP further aims to increase the yield in pond systems for the black tiger shrimp (Peneaus monodon), whiteleg shrimp (Peneaus vannamei) and the Macrobrachium sp. It also aims to improve feed conversion ratio in commercial farms.

Strategic R&D

Strategic R&D is DOST-PCAARRD’s banner program comprising all R&D activities that are intended to
generate outputs geared towards maximum economic and social benefits

Technologies

Products, equipment, and protocols or process innovations developed to improve productivity, efficiency,
quality, and profitability in the agriculture and aquatic industries, and to achieve sustainable
utilization and management of natural resources

Breeding Protocol for Penaeus vannamei

The success of any selective breeding program relies on the genetic diversity of the founder lines so that the selection progresses forward without the negative influence of inbreeding depression. Through...

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LAMP detection kit for AHPND in shrimps

The University of Santo Tomas led by Dr. Mary Beth B. Maningas developed a JAmp-AHPND Diagnostic Kit, a loop mediated amplification-based, rapid detection platform for AHPND in shrimps. The name...

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LAMP detection kit for WSSV in shrimps

Shrimp aquaculture is considered globally as an economically important industry, providing a major source of livelihood especially in countries with large coastal areas such as the Philippines. However, a bacterial...

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Technology Transfer Initiatives

Capacity Building

Capacity building efforts of DOST-PCAARRD seek to develop and enhance the R&D capabilities of researchers
and academic or research institutions through graduate assistantships & non-degree trainings
and development and/or upgrading of research facilities

Infrastructure Development

Manpower Development

Policy Research & Advocacy

Analysis of policy concerns and advocacy of science-informed policies ensures that the AANR policy environment is conducive for S&T development
and investments

Competitiveness of Philippine Shrimp Industry under the ASEAN Economic Community

The study indicated that Philippine shrimp production, specifically white shrimp and black tiger prawn, shows high competitiveness in an export trade scenario. This means that white shrimp and black tiger prawn are competitive internationally and have potential to earn foreign exchange as export commodities. The study also showed that white shrimp and black tiger prawn are competitive in the import substitution scenario, meaning they have cheaper production cost locally, therefore can compete with imported commodities.

Reference:

Andal, E. G., Lapiña, G. F., Manalo, N. Q., Dorado, R. A. Valientes, R. M., & Cruz, M. B. (2017). ASEAN Economic Community: Opportunities and Challenges for the Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry Sectors. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines: Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development – (Project Report)