Increasing Aquaculture Productivity: Shrimp

Robins McIntoshCharoen Pokphand Foods

Bangkok , Thailand

ROBINS MCINTOSHCP Group, Thailand

Robins McIntosh has been involved in shrimp aquaculture for 30 years.  In 1996, he helped establish Belize Aquaculture, the first zero‐water‐exchange commercial farm in Belize.In 2002, McIntosh joined Charoen Pokphand Foods to assist in the restructuring of shrimp culture in Thailand and Southeast Asia. He continues his work in increasing the efficiency of both white and black tiger shrimp culture

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

What Led To The ExplosionIn Shrimp Production?

In the Beginning….

Thailand Shrimp Productions

Pre‐ 1990

Healthy Shrimp‐Most of the Time

Gambler Mentality

“High Market Prices”Lead To Shrimp Fever

Then Stagnation!1994‐2002

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

Thailand Shrimp Productions

1992‐2002

Deteriorating shrimp stocks made farming less predictable,and often unprofitable

Followed By The Explosion In Shrimp Production!

2002‐Current

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

+100%

Thailand Shrimp Productions

Post 2002

Domesticate, Healthy

Transition to “Industrial Mentality”

• Domestication, Genetic Selection.

• Modernization of Hatcheries.

• Installation of“Controlled Pond” Systems.

• Systemization of Farm Management.

Technology Has Been Key To  Increasing Sustainable Production

Species 2002Monodon

2009Vannamei

Cycles/yr 1.8 2.95Stock Density /m2 65 116Harvest Size  (g) 16.5 14.2

Yield (kg/ha/yr) 11,952 44,651Survival (%) 62 91

Growth Rate (g/wk) 0.95 1.16FCR 1.73 1.34

Sustainable Increased Efficiencies Have Resulted In Lower 

Production Costs

Species 2002

Monodon

2009

Vannamei

Harvest pcs/kg 60 71

Farm Gate Value (USD/kg) 5.70 3.40

Cost of Production/kg (USD) 5.27 2.71Profit/kg (USD) 0.43 0.69

% Profit 7.8 25.4

Domestication, Selective Breeding

“SPF” Shrimp

Sustainable Production Has Been:Increasing Survivorship, Reduced Pond FailuresIncreasing Survivorship, Reduced Pond Failures

(> 6,000 harvests/yr)

5052545658606264666870727476788082848688909294

JULY NOV MAR JULY NOV MAR JULY NOV MAR JULY NOV Mar

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Growth Rate ImprovementKey to cost reduction:

FCR, Time to Harvest, Survival

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5

10

15

20

25

30

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Days of Culture

0.12

0.17

0.22

0.27

0.32

0.37G

row

th (A

DG

)

AugOct DecFebAprJunAugOct DecFebMayJulSeptNovJanMarMayJulSeptNovJanMar May

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1.6 1.5 1.3 FCR

(> 6,000 harvests/yr)

Genetic Gains Have Contributed To Annual Gains In Pond Efficiency

5

10

15

20

25

30

1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

MJ/

kg

Pond Energy Cost

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

FI:F

O R

atio

Fish In: Fish Out

Genetics Is The Driver For More Efficient Production

Modernization of Hatcheries

• Low Survivals

• Carriers of Disease

• Poor Performance Consistency

Pre‐ 2002

Sanitary

High Survival

Healthy PLs

Consistent Operations

Healthy ShrimpDo Not Require Antibiotics

• Post‐Domestication• Pre‐Domestication

Realization of Genetic Improvement Requires Control Of The Pond 

Environment

enetics nvironment

Open Systems Move To Closed, Controlled  Systems

• Risk Reduction

Controlling the Pond EnvironmentKey To Realizing Genetic Improvements

• Biosecurity.

• Oxygen.

• Predator and Competitor Exclusion.

• Pond Bottoms.

• Controlled• Uncontrolled

Control Means Reduced Risk

Development Of Technologies That Result In Healthier Environments

Microbes that create a healthier pond environment

Pond Prep

Feeding

OxygenSediments

ProblemsFailure

Consistent Farm Management :          Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Success

• Vietnam • China

Implementation OfNew Sustainable Technologies 

Requires Education and Investment

The Future: Sustainably More From Less

Production (tons)

Pond Area (Ha)

Yield/Ha/Yr

2002 308,000 85,000 3,625

2009 560,000 55,000 10,200

Lamae Farm (2010)

900 18 50,000

From The Producers:Can The Established Markets Be Increased?