Report to the government of Thailand on shrimp farm development

Abstract

The report gives an account of shrimp farm development investigations, including small-scale larval culture experiments in which five species were grown to post-larval size from eggs spawned in the laboratory. The results of two experiments to test the efficiency of fertilizer to increase pond production are reported. Production was greater with ammonium sulphate and superphosphate than with superphosphate alone. Application of tea-seed cake at rates of 25 parts per million (ppm) and 10 ppm was effective in eliminating fish from shrimp ponds without damaging the shrimp. Research to produce shrimp in hatcheries should be conducted, but it is important that pond management skills be developed before additional shrimp from hatcheries are provided to traditional type farmers. Suggestions which might assist in improving shrimp farming have been indicated. Supplemental feeding is not considered necessary at this stage of development in the traditional practice of shrimp farming in Thailand. Sufficient food can be supplied by fertilization of pond waters. The most immediate need is to determine what types of fertilizer are appropriate for Thai waters, and their proper rates of application.