Shrimp cultivation has taken place extensively in the coastline of Bangladesh. Now the entire coastal belt has turned into a web of shrimp farms. It is very massive in the districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bhola, Noakhali, Patuakhali, and Cox's Bazar. The severe consequence of shrimp cultivation is best illustrated in the complete destruction of the Chokoria Sundarban, a unique mangrove patch in Chokoria Thana of Cox's Bazar District.
Demand for shrimp in the western market, loans and grants from World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) in particular have encouraged rapid growth of shrimp farming in Bangladesh. Shrimp brings quick and handsome cash, but not without affecting the local environment, society and economy. However, the profiteers from the shrimp industry stay blind about the consequences.
One major factor in sustaining the shrimp industry is the harvest of shrimp seedlings from nature. It is considered to be very harmful for marine environment and therefore, banned in many countries.
The government of Bangladesh also promulgated a law in 2000 banning shrimp fry collection from nature, but it was relaxed soon after. And shrimp fry harvest from nature continued. The shrimp cultivators prefer fries collected from nature because these are more tolerant to virus attack compared to their hatched counterparts. Further compounding the situation is the fact that a large number of shrimp fry collectors are displaced farmers with little or no land. As the main economy switches from agriculture to shrimp cultivation in the coastal area, they switch from agricultural occupation to fry collection.
While significant attention is given to the state of shrimp cultivation in Bangladesh, as well as other countries, the issue of fry collection remains largely unattended.
SHRIMP FRY COLLECTION AND ITS TRADE presents the findings of a survey of 1,200 shrimp fry collectors that discuss different aspects of the trade especially its effects on nature, local environment, economy and society.
If the negative effects of fry collection from nature [and also those of the shrimp cultivation] are considered, there is no rationale for the activity to continue. The argument of the shrimp cultivators and the authorities that shrimp fry harvest has created job opportunity for tens of thousands of people is unfounded. The survey findings show the costs involved in the indiscriminate harvest of shrimp fries.
It is also risky for those who harvest the seedlings, often in the chest-deep water. Physical and mental sufferings of the shrimp fry collectors with high morbidity rate of diseases such as gastric, ulcer, skin ailment, bronchitis/cough, and fever are immense. The findings suggest, the harm that depletion of shrimp fries, other fish, the breeding grounds of fish and zooplanktons, etc. cause to vegetation and nature is horrendous.
With data, analysis, anecdotes, photos and maps the report is an important resource for anyone interested in shrimp fry collection, its trade and the whole shrimp industry.
Prepared by Philip Gain, Lucille Sircar, Shishir Moral, Aneeka Malik, Philip Kofel and Md. Kamruzzaman
Published 2005
57 pages in offset Price: Tk.150 US$5
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