Mexico - Shrimp Stocking Density Lower in Sonora

Shrimp producers from Sonora state have sown a surface greater than last year's, but at a lower density, stated the president of the Sonora State Aquaculture Health Committee (COSAES), Luis Humberto Olea Ruiz. Some 22,000 hectares of shrimp have been sown so far this year, the largest area up to this point, but a smaller harvest is expected than in 2008, when the surface area was 500 ha smaller.

Producers principal aim is to maintain the sanitary status of the shrimping activity. "Last year we sowed 21,500 hectares; more than 81,000 tonnes were produced. This year, we decided to reduce the sowing density of postlarvae as a preventive measure,” Olea Ruiz stated in El Imparcial. Not only was this measure taken, but an exhaustive revision of buyers' transport and processing plants was also carried out, given the possibility of the white spot syndrome entering from another neighbour-state.

"The presence of the [white spot syndrome] virus was detected in Sinaloa, for which it was agreed to enforce a sanitary certificate upon introducers that have to accomodate themselves to sanitisation and cleanliness [standards], if not, they won't [be allowed] entry,” he added.

In terms of the production costs, the president of the COSAES commented that they are lower than last year's, and if disease problems do not present themselves, it would be mean a significant profit, economically speaking. According to the information furnished by the Secretary of the Economy, 20,357 ha have been sown through 12 June, 610 hectares more than last week. Of the total, 11,044 ha correspond to the north, 1,100 ha to the centre region and 8,213 ha to the south.

For now, Sonora continues disease-free.

Source : fis.com Monday, June 29, 2009