The vannamei shrimp is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Peru. The first spawning of this species was achieved in Florida in 1973. Following good results, commercial culture of the shrimp began in South and Central America soon.
Subsequent development of intensive breeding and rearing techniques led to its culture in Hawaii, the US, and much of Central and South America by the early 1980s.
In the Americas, the cultured quantity of the shrimp grew from 1,43, 000 tonnes in 2000 to over 2,70,000 tonnes by 2004.
Vannamei culture entered Asia too, and the countries that led in the culture were Thailand and Indonesia. In India, it was first cultured on an experimental basis in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Later, it spread to Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra, and these States are the leading procurers now.
Decline in production in Indonesia following a viral attack came as a blessing for India. Asia saw a phenomenal increase in the production of vannamei. Kerala is big buyer of vannamei from the domestic farms. Its farming is yet to pick up in the State. Lack of government support is being cited as the reason. But on an experimental basis, it was cultured at a farm in Poriyur of Thrissur district recently from where 10 tonnes were harvested.
