Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The country’s frozen food exporters has sought quick approval for vannamei, a new variety of shrimp, to protect the industry and boost foreign currency earnings.
They said the farming of vannamei shrimp in the country will help cover protean deficiency, activate sick shrimp factories and double the export earnings if farming of new variety with high productivity is introduced.
The demand came at a seminar on ‘technique to increase production of shrimp and fish and policy formulation’, held in the country’s southeaster Cox’S Bazaron on Saturday, according to a press statement.
Commerce secretary M Ghulam Hossain was present as the chief guest while Fisheries and Livestock joint secretary Md Shamsul Kibria attended at the seminar as the special guest.
There has been a tremendous demand for new variety of shrimp in Russia, Australia, Canada, Spain and New Zealand as well as in Asia as the small sized shrimp is available at an affordable price, they said.
Highlighting the contribution of the new variety to development of shrimp and fish industries in India, Thailand and Vietnam, speakers requested the government to allow farming of vannamei shrimp in the country as early as possible.
They focused on the importance of costal aquaculture authority formulation and environment friendly and sustainable shrimp and fish farming.
President of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA) Kazi Shahnewaz, Director General of Department of Fisheries Syed Arif Azad were present, among others, at the seminar.
BBN/SSR/AD-19Feb12-8:00 am (BST)
