Report on analysis of shrimp culture trials
The report analyses the production results from the shrimp aquafarm obtained over the period August 1981–November 1984, and concludes that it is possible to grow the hardy species P. indicus using unsophisticated culture techniques, without the use of fertilizers, simply by stimulating the growth of lablab in the tidal ponds. However, production rates were very variable and were apparently more dependent upon the soil substrate and available food supplies than upon water management techniques, w ater fertilization or stocking densities so far employed. The economic operation of such simple culture methods has however not yet been accurately determined, and the alternative use of the relatively few suitable pond areas along the Kenya coast, for salt production rather than shrimp production, is currently much more profitable. However, given the recently declining marine catches of local shrimp, and the strengthening demand for regular supplies of quality shrimp (on both the internal a nd external markets) future research and development in coastal aquaculture should be directed toward the production of a higher value product (P. monodon) using semi-intensive technology on a commercial scale, including hatchery production of the fry, supplementary feeding programmes, tidal water exchange supplemented by pumping, careful processing and quality control procedures. The ongoing Phase II of the project should concentrate on the improvement of various technical and managerial aspe cts of its operation, in preparation for a Phase III programme of experiments to determine the technology and economics of P. monodon culture, in order to satisfy the needs of private investors who have already shown general interest in shrimp culture in Kenya.
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| Format: | Project biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1985
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| Online Access: | https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/ac573e http://www.fao.org/3/ac573e/ac573e00.htm |
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