Status of the Propagation of the Giant Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, in Taiwan

Abstract

The enterprise of marine prawn culture has taken great strides in its progress in recent years after a long course of study on the propagation and rearing, however, the culture of freshwater prawn is far behind that of marine prawn. The objectives of the present study were to develop mass propagation technique of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii as an additional aquaculture item since large acreage of suitable area of freshwater ponds, streams, and dams are available in Taiwan. In 1970, three hundred juveniles of the giant freshwater prawn from Thailand were introduced into Taiwan. Tungkang Marine Laboratory in southern Taiwan has ever since been studying the propagation of this prawn, aiming at yielding stockable juveniles. The results are significant. Techniques of propagation under laboratory condition and under hatchery condition have been established although there still are problems remaining unsolved. Mass commercial production of this prawn started in 1975. Since then, efforts have been made to help the establishment of more hatcheries and the extension of intensive culture for commercial production of this species in Taiwan. In 1975, a total of almost 1,000,000 juveniles was produced by the Laboratory and hatcheries. In 1976, 2,000,000 of juveniles was the yearly production at a moderate estimate resulting from mass propagation of local hatcheries. The prospect of intensive commercial production of this species in Taiwan is brilliant.