Advancing quality and health management practices in extensive shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study used a random selection of 150 extensive shrimp farms in three areas in Bangladesh (Paikgacha, Dacope, and Chokoria) and questionnaires to examine the quality, hygiene, and sanitation practices that farmers used to satisfy national and international concerns. The majority (95.67%) of farmers in all three sites did not examine the quality of the hatchery-bred post larvae (PL) and felt that the hatchery used chemicals or antibiotics in producing PL and supplied under-aged PL (below PL15), resulting in significant mortality when released onto the farms. The majority of farmers (83.3%) performed a visual inspection, examining shrimp size, weight, and disease symptoms before harvesting. Farmers in Chokoria were better aware of the need of inspecting quality features (growth, disease, weight, and shell) before harvesting than farmers in Dacope and Paikgacha. Farmers frequently neglected the icing of caught shrimp at the request of the buyer. To reduce losses, they took action when collected shrimp exhibited indicators of low quality, such as the presence of spots (43.3%), fragile shells (37.3%), and accidental debris (88.7%). Shrimp producers also enhanced their quality standards by using 100% plastic crates to transport shrimp and by improving working surfaces (92%) to wash, sort, and sell the collected shrimp, and building sanitary restrooms (100%) at a safe distance from the farms. Farmers believed that new laws had forced them to enhance safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards in order to decrease the poor quality image of Bangladesh shrimp held by international buyers, despite higher operating expenses and lower profitability.