Saudi Arabia’s shrimp aquaculture has evolved from small-scale freshwater farming in the 1970s to a leading mariculture industry. After an initial reliance on Fenneropenaeus indicus, disease outbreaks—particularly white spot syndrome—led to the adoption of Litopenaeus vannamei, which now accounts for over 70% of mariculture output. In 2023, shrimp and marine finfish production reached 92,491 tons, driven by Pacific white shrimp.
Despite this growth, biosecurity challenges persist. These include the importation of unverified broodstock, weak traceability systems, limited trained personnel, and inconsistent farm-level practices. Environmental constraints, such as salinity, high temperatures, and limited water sources, further complicate production.
Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (MEWA) has prioritized integrated strategies to enhance biosecurity. Measures include PCR-based disease surveillance, strict regulation of live shrimp imports, regional aquatic health centers, and national training programs. Dissemination of biosecurity manuals and standardized protocols has also improved awareness among farmers.
Current efforts focus on localizing broodstock production, expanding hatchery infrastructure, and exploring real-time disease detection tools. These initiatives aim to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability, support national food security, and reduce reliance on imports.
References
Young, B. C., Algethami, S., Alazwari, A. A., Alghamdi, F., & Shaikhi, A. A. (2025). Shrimp farm biosecurity in Saudi Arabia: A journey from past practices to future vision. Aquaculture Asia, 29, 23–25.