The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Thursday suspended all new and existing approvals for importing shrimp fry for Vannamei farming, citing risks of disease transmission and environmental pollution linked to the exotic species.
In a media release issued in the afternoon, the ministry said the decision followed a high-level meeting held on January 7, chaired by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, to review the environmental, social and economic impacts of Vannamei shrimp farming in Bangladesh and to determine future courses of action.
The meeting observed that Vannamei shrimp is an import-dependent species and that importing its fry poses significant risks of disease outbreaks, environmental degradation and adverse impacts on indigenous species, including Bagda (black tiger shrimp) and Galda (freshwater prawn).
Against this backdrop, participants opined that the unregulated expansion of Vannamei shrimp farming would not be appropriate.
Discussions stressed that Vannamei shrimp farming should remain limited to controlled, intensive and environmentally compliant systems. It was also decided that the activities of already approved Vannamei farmers would be closely monitored through on-site evaluations to ensure full compliance with stipulated farming conditions.
Until such evaluations are completed, all forms of new and existing approvals for importing Vannamei shrimp fry will remain suspended, according to the media release.
The meeting further decided to undertake necessary research to assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of Vannamei shrimp farming, with future policy and administrative decisions to be taken based on the findings of these studies.
At the same time, the ministry underscored the need to prioritise the expansion of domestic shrimp farming by boosting the production of indigenous Bagda and Galda shrimp, rather than relying on imported species, and to undertake suitable projects to support this objective.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber chaired the meeting, which was attended by Additional Director General of the Department of Fisheries Md Zia Haider Chowdhury, senior ministry officials and fisheries officers from relevant districts.
