48 MARCH 2016 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG enhance the development of the shrimp farming industry. The Iranian Shrimp Research Center in has been established in Bushehr to address this problem. Processing facility. Although a few shrimp processing plants now actively process farmed shrimp, but for export aims and to meet the destination country standards, there must be an upgrade of processing equipment and better quality control. Low average production per unit. In 2011, shrimp production of 8,026 t from 3,220 ha of ponds results in an average production of 2,493 kg/ha. Production of SPF and SPR. With technical problems in production of SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) and SPR (Specific Pathogen Resistant) broodstock inside the country, culturists need to import the broodstock, leading to high costs and financial problems or use of selected shrimp reared in local farms. Since September 2012, a research project has been implemented at the Iranian Shrimp Research Center to produce Specific Pathogen Free broodstocks.1 Main Issues in Iranian Shrimp Farming Only a small fraction of the potential area available for shrimp farming is being utilized now because of: • The transfer of control of farms to laypersons, who have used the farms as collateral to obtain loans and not actively produce shrimp at the farms, • Improper management as a result of the large technical knowledge gap that exists between farm owners and technicians and, • Hesitation of the government to provide adequate loans to trained technicians. Conclusion The potential for developing shrimp farming in Iran is high because of the availability of suitable land and a good climate. However, a master plan is needed that includes rationalization of policies and allocation of natural resources to specialized people Production In Iran, shrimp production in the private sector started in 1995 with Indian white shrimp. Production volume increased from 136 t in 1995 to a record of 8,903 t in 2004, but decreased in 2005, primarily because of a white spot epidemic (Table 1). Since it first appeared in 1992, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has become the most threatening infectious agent in shrimp aquaculture. Within a decade, this pathogen has spread to all the main shrimp farming areas and has caused enormous economic losses, amounting to more than US$ 7 billion (Escobedo-Bonilla et al. 2008). Now this virus is the most serious threat facing the shrimp farming industry in Asia (since 1992) and Latin America (since 1999) (Briggs et al. 2005). Since 2005, pathogen-free broodstocks of Pacific white shrimp were imported to Iran and rapidly replaced Indian white shrimp. Concurrent with the increase in shrimp farming activity, the production of post-larvae also has increased. Post-larvae production rose to more than 1.1 billion in 2012 and in recent decades has exceeded 7.8 billion (Table 1). Development Problems Despite the fast development of shrimp culture in Iran in recent years, there are several problems that hamper further development of the industry. The most important are: Production costs. Shrimp farming costs have increased in recent years, especially feed, labor, post-larvae and veterinary drugs. More than sixty percent of production expenses are associated with the cost of feed. Diseases. Diseases and associated mortalities, particularly in hatcheries, are one of the most important problems. A disease research center near Bushehr has been established to address this problem. Biosecurity methods should be used to exclude pathogens in shrimp farms, including disinfection of ponds and water, preventing the entrance of animals that may carry infectious agents and stocking ponds with specific pathogen-free post-larvae. Applied research. The need for more applied research could Selection of shrimp broodstock from earthen ponds near Bushehr, Iran. Broodstock conditioning pond in a greenhouse near Bushehr, Iran.
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