Tilapia & Shrimp: Crop Rotation

The risk of the mono-culture Shrimp industry: During the past 30 years, Shrimp aquaculture was proven to be very profitable, but has emerged as unreliable and unstable practice in many instances, due to susceptibility to infections and diseases, including the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). This virus caused devastating destruction in Shrimp industries everywhere, with no apparent solution. Why is conventional Shrimp aquaculture risky?  Most Shrimp companies use technology and production systems, as developed in Ecuador during the 1970’s. The design is based on use of very large and shallow ponds, with very low water exchange of 8-12% per day and no aeration, to raise a single Shrimp crop, which dwells and crawls on the bottom of the ponds. As a result, the water volume remains unoccupied and the ecological conditions are unstable, affecting Shrimp growth. The vastness of the pond, and the lack of aeration and sufficient water, leave the production manager without proper means to control and regulate the production ponds, leading to crop deterioration and financial losses. Introduction of Tilapia into Shrimp ponds APT proposes Crop Rotation of Tilapia and Shrimp. Tilapia can be introduced into the Shrimp system in two ways: (1) Shrimp and Tilapia poly-culture: Tilapia can be raised simultaneously together with Shrimp in the same pond. Each crop organism occupies a different ecological niche within the pond. Tilapia grows in the water volume while Shrimp dwell at pond bottom. The relationship is not competitive (on feed and territory), but compatible. It has been shown conclusively that stocking Tilapia in Shrimp ponds enhances Shrimp growth efficiency. (2) Shrimp and Tilapia crop rotation: In cases of severe epidemic infections in Shrimp, you can stock Tilapia in Shrimp ponds, instead of Shrimp. The practice of Crop Rotation is key in successful agriculture, as means to avoid epidemic infections. Crop rotation between Tilapia and Shrimp is an essential component of combating epidemic viral episodes, such as the WSSV. APT offers complete technology package for the integration of Tilapia in Shrimp ponds • High salinity strains of Tilapia brood stock for independent supply of Tilapia fry on site. • Complete Technology Package for Tilapia production. • Adjustment of Shrimp production schedules to include Tilapia stocking. • Optimization of Shrimp-Tilapia production plan. • Training by qualified technicians. • Feeding of Shrimp and Tilapia ponds. • Design of Tilapia fry production system. • Special equipment for Tilapia stocking, production, harvesting and processing. • Shrimp and Tilapia Processing Plant. APT offers new engineering concepts for partial modification in your Shrimp farm, in order to modernize and adjust your Shrimp farm into a multi-species aquaculture production system.