(a) whether the Government is aware that non-availability of quality seeds for production of Vannamei prawns is leading towards large number of incidents of white spot disease in prawns in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is a fact that spurious seeds are creating problem for Vannamei prawn farmers in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) No, Madam. There are no reports to indicate that incidents of White Spot Disease in the country including Andhra Pradesh are due to non-availability of quality seed for L. vannamei shrimp farming.
(b) & (c) Use of shrimp seed obtained from spurious sources may be one of the reasons for disease incidents in L. vannamei farms adversely affecting production. However, the seed production and culture of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) L. vannamei in the country including Andhra Pradesh is regulated through the Guidelines notified under Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act and Rules. Accordingly, the officials of Coastal Aquaculture Authority and State Fisheries Departments are monitoring the hatcheries and farms and taking appropriate action against the violating hatcheries and farms. The Government is encouraging production of SPF L. vannamei seed through registered hatcheries imported SPF Broodstock and also setting up of SPF Shrimp Broodstock Multiplication Centres (BMCs) in the country for ensuring availability of good quality seed for L. vannamei farms.
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