Government has allowed the importation of broodstock and post-larvae of black tiger shrimps.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), has issued three administrative orders to cover the importation and culture of black tiger shrimps (sugpo) subject to certain conditions.

BFAR opted for importations to develop better quality shrimps that are resistant to diseases.

The bureau said the importations will be limited to the broodstock and post-larvae of Specific Pathogen Free/Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPF/SPR) black tiger shrimp, which is scientifically known as Penaeus monodon.

According to Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 230, "only shrimp hatcheries accredited by the BFAR shall be allowed to import SPF or SPR Penaeus monodon broodstock and postlarvae."

Furthermore, BFAR would permit the culture of the crustacean only to farms that the bureau has certified.

BFAR-accredited Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) hatcheries are also allowed to import and breed black tiger shrimps, FAO 230 says, on condition that they allocate separate hatchery facilities for Penaeus monodon. The bureau is mandated to conduct regular inspections of these hatcheries.

Two other FAOs also requried that the sugpo broodstock must come from disease-free facilities overseas.

These orders also mandated the exporting facilities "must have a minimum two years disease-free status as certified by competent authority from the country of origin. In addition, the facility shall likewise submit its disease history for the period covering its commercial establishment to the present."

"Upon arrival at the facility, the broodstock and/or post-larvae shall be confined in designated holding tanks for quarantine and subsequent maturation and breeding purposes," the orders stressed.

The directives were issued by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap as recommended by BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento and Assistant Agriculture Secretary Salvador Salacup, who is officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Office of the DA Undersecretary for livestock and fisheries.

As part of pre-border biosecurity measures, the BFAR only allows imports of broodstock and post-larvae from broodstock facilities "originating from the United States and any other country that can show clear and verifiable capacity in producing broodstock and/or post-larvae that are Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and/or Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPR) and must have well-documented breeding program of Penaeus monodon."

"All samples shall be subjected for analysis for Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV), White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV), Hepatopancreatic Parvo-like Virus (HPV), Monodon Baculo Virus (MBV) and Yellow Head Virus (YHV) at their respective BFAR Regional Fish Health Laboratories or any BFAR-recognized laboratory," said FAO 230.

The directives slap violators with prison terms of eight years and a fine of P80,000 plus a "ban(ning) from being a member or stockholder in companies engaged in fisheries now existing or which may be created in the future and the destruction of the live imported shrimp or forfeiture of the non-live ones for proper disposition of the director of BFAR."

BFAR Assistant Director Gil Adora said the bureau lifted the ban on the importation and culture of Pacific white shrimp or Peneaus vannamei three years ago in a bid to revive the country's once-robust shrimp industry.

Adora said the high- selling price of black tiger shrimps in the domestic market will encourage local growers to raise the crustacean.

Black tiger shrimps sell for about P700 to P800 a kilo while Pacific white shrimps sell for about P300 to P400 a kilo. In January 2007, Yap issued FAO 225 lifting the ban on the culture and importation of live shrimps and prawns in all stages of development, effectively paving the way for the entry of Pacific white shrimp brood stocks into the country.

This directive, which amends FAO No. 207, was issued following field verification trials and positive reports on the successful conduct of breeding and grow-out experiments of the P. vannamei shrimp by the BFAR.

The DA banned the entry of P. vannamei into the country in 2001 to protect the local sugpo or black tiger prawn from the dreaded Taura virus that had nearly wiped out shrimp farms in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand at that time. Imports and culture of Pacific white shrimp are strictly monitored by BFAR in tandem with the Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD), which is headed by Dr. Joebert Toledo, to guarantee that only good-quality and pathogen-free broodstocks are produced in the country.