Repeated spells of rainfall recorded across the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh recently have changed the chemical parameters of the water in the fishponds under Vannamei shrimp cultivation, leading to mass death of shrimp. Ironically, harvesting of the shrimp was largely to begin by early July across the coastal belt, particularly in Krishna, East and West Godavari and Nellore districts.
“We are harvesting Vannamei that is alive in the ponds irrespective of its growth. However, delay in harvesting will cause of complete death of shrimps as changed parameters in the water will not suitable for their survival,” aqua farmers based in Nagayalanka told The Hindu . The colour of the Vannamei is also being changed, owing to high level of Ammonium and Hydrogen Sulphide which reported after the rains.
“The discoloured Vannamei can’t even be sold in the local market and hence it has to be buried. Adding woes to aqua farmers, price of Vannamei has slumped from Rs. 340/kg to Rs. 280/kg in July, in just twenty days,” said aqua farmer T. Lankeswara Rao.
Export houses at Bhimvaram, Nellore, Visakhapatnam and Singarayakonda have a field day in dictating terms of the export market with arrival of the huge quality of Vannemei.
An average of at least 40 tonnes of Vannamei production is being transported to the production houses for export every day from all the coastal districts, leading to fall down of its market value. There are likely chances that the price will further dip down as farmers are being forced to harvest the existing shrimp in fear of huge losses.
High level of Ammonium and Hydrogen Sulphide in fishpond water leading to mass death of shrimp
