Modern shrimp aquaculture applies the eyestalk ablation process on female shrimps. Its basically cutting the eyestalk of females, using hot tweezers. The aim is to accelerate ovulation and egg formation, in order to fulfil the demands for fry for the shrimp industry. This is part of the so called blue revolution.
In a similar manner to the Green Revolution in the rice sector, the blue revolution was applied in shrimp aquaculture: a high yielding species, hormones and chemicals, and monoculture methods. The results are similar: leafhopper pests in rice, virus infestation in shrimp farms. The blue revolution was also supported by international institutions such as the World Bank, ADB and FAO. Basically, the policulture natural aquaculture as practiced by local farmers was converted into chemically intensive aquaculture with a single species (the black tiger shrimp). And, the shrimp farms are also expanded, by converting mangroves into aquaculture ponds.
There are three main ecological impacts caused by the blue revolution. First, is the loss of a substantial area of mangroves which are important to maintain the marine ecosystem balance and the local economy. Second, the intensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and antibiotics which cause environmental pollution. Third, the use of excessive clearn water in the coastal area which cause salt water intrusion into local water wells.
This book, based on a study in 2000, describes the development of shrimp farming in Indonesia with a special focus on Java. It traces the long history of traditional aquaculture and analyses the transformation towards more intensive monoculture in the 1980s. It then analyses the disatrous harvest failures of 1993-1994 and trace their roots to the too-rapid development of a cultivation system that is out of balance with its surrounding environment. Finally, it provides an overview of the technical, ecological and economic adaptations that shrimp farmers made in the wake of the disaster. And the book ends with recommendations towards sustainable shrimp aquaculture that is a combination of traditional and modern aquaculture systems.
The study provides many facts and figures. One of the surprising information, often overlooked by the public, is how female shrimps are treated. The modern shrimp farms need fry (baby shrimps) in a large numbe. Thus in hatcheries, female shrimps are forced to lay eggs continously. The industry applies the the eyestalk ablation process on female shrimps. Its basically cutting the eyestalk of females, using hot tweezers. The aim is to accelerate ovulation and egg formation, in order to fulfil the demands for fry for the shrimp industry. This cruel method ensures a stable supply of fry.
Published in 2001, this book is based on a study by a team from KONPHALINDO, edited by Hira Jhamtani. The analysis and recommendations are relevant even today, in terms of developing a more economically and ecologically sustainable shrimp aquaculture.
