Introduction of Litopenaeus vannamei to shrimp culture industry of Iran

Various Problems in front of shrimp culture, mainly in biological fields and restrictions of production cycle, emphasized the species diversity in aquaculture industry of Iran in fourth socio- economic development plan of fisheries department. By this means, the Iranian Fisheries Research Organization, defined a Programme with four sub- projects, and started the activities on beginning of 2004. On the year 2004, 80 pairs of SPF/SPR Litopenaeus vannamei broodstocks imported from Hawaii, but late importation and prolonged acclimatization period, caused propogation and PL production on mid-September. Despite of terminated culture season, some PL's stocked in earthen ponds of Helleh site in Bushehr province. Results of this phase showed that, L.vannamei could support the cold winter of about 9 C temperature and about 20000 broodstocks harvested at the next year. At the next year, 55 pairs of SPF/SPR broodstocks imported by the same way, and after production of PL in Bandargah hatchery, the farming carried out in Helleh research earthen ponds. At this year, shrimp farms of Bushehr province infected with WSSV, but L.vannamei growth was very good, and gained more than19g after 90days farming. On the year 2006, the farming pilot project repeated, and the way for extension smoothed. In a parallel action, introduction of L.vannamei to Choebdeh site (Khouzestan province) showed remarkable results after 5 years collapses by WSSV. The results of broodstocking, breeding and farming research projects transferred very soon to shrimp producers, as the production of L.vannamei in Khouzestan and Bushehr provinces raised to 2575tons in the year 2008. In addition the condition for introduction of this species to Golestan province smoothed on 2008, and stocking at rate of 5-6 individuals per m2 in earthen ponds of Gomishan resulted in 20g. Shrimp weight after 75 days culture. This stock used as brood stock for commercial production on 2009 by private sector. It seems that all four southern provinces are going to utilize L.vannamei as the main species in 2009, and domesticated brood stocks.

Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute

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