The world's marine prawn culture industries：today and tomorrow. In：R. Hirano and I. Hanyu (eds.)

Abstract

The worldwide consumption of prawn continues to increase as the standard of living advances. Fortunately, while annual prawn production from capture fisheries has reached a plateau at 1.8 to 2 million tonnes (t), production from aquaculture is growing year after year, largely because of the many breakthroughs in research of the last two decades. In this presentation, the status of the world's marine prawn culture industries, particularly in the two major producing regions, Asia and Latin America, is described. Future production levels are also projected, for most of the countries concerned. The bright outlook for the future of these industries is, however, dimmed by certain problems. These problems are also addressed, together with some suggested courses of action, summarized as follows: 1. The species being commercially cultured at present are rather few. More candidate species and hybrid species are needed to diversify commercial culture. 2. Hatchery and growout techniques are still far from complete. Major research efforts need to be channelled into several technical aspects of culture. 3. Disease problems cause severe losses. More attention should be paid to quarantine procedures and preventive measures. 4. Product quality needs to be improved and freshness must be preserved during transfer to market. The best way to do the latter is by transporting products live, so appropriate methods must be devised. 5. As competition for prawn markets is becoming stiffer, production costs must be lowered so that prawn farmers may be able to offer competitive prices and survive in the market. 6. The tendency of prawn culture systems to be too profitoriented exacts a high social cost and is creating a host of new complex environmental problems. Long-term .and integrated planning should be done to ensure the harmonious development of the industry. With international cooperation and more careful planning, the world's marine prawn culture industries can expect not just a bright and prosperous future, but more importantly, a well-balanced and socially equitable phase in their history. The full potential of the industry will have been realized when prawn have become easily affordable even to ordinary consumers.