Using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to Identify Constraints and Opportunities to the Development of Freshwater Prawn Farming in Southwest Bangladesh

A conceptual framework, drawn from an approach to poverty reduction known as the sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA), is applied to understanding the role of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, farming in gher (modified rice fields with high, broad peripheral dikes) systems in southwest Bangladesh. Gher farming potentially allows incorporation of a wide variety of crops together with prawn, fish, dike crops, and rice culture. The analysis shows how, in a gher farming context, sustainable livelihoods are achieved through access to a range of livelihood assets, which are combined in the pursuit of prawn farming strategies. The study used the SLA framework as a diagnostic tool to identify ways of strengthening the livelihoods of the prawn farmers.     

SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SMALL-SCALE FRESHWATER PRAWN MARKETING SYSTEMS IN MYMENSINGH,BANGLADESH

An investigation was carried out in Mymensingh region of Bangladesh to understand current practices of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) marketing systems. Prawn marketing is almost exclusively maintained by the private sector, where the livelihoods of a considerable number of people are associated with prawn distribution and marketing systems. The market chain from producers to consumers passes through a number of intermediaries. The prawn is a highly valued product in international markets; most of the prawns (60%) are therefore exported, particularly to the USA, Japan and Europe. The rest (40%) of the under-sized prawns are sold to local markets in Mymensingh. The price of prawn depends on quality, size and weight, and grade. In spite of marketing constraints, livelihood outcomes are positive and most of the households of traders (75%) have improved their social and economic conditions through prawn marketing activities. However, concerns arise about the long-term sustainability of prawn marketing due to poor road and transport facilities, inadequate supply of ice, lack of money and credit facilities, and poor market infrastructure. It is therefore necessary to provide institutional, organizational, and government support for a sustainable prawn market.     

Marketing systems of freshwater prawns in three coastal districts of Bangladesh

The present study analyzes the prawn marketing chain before and after the implementation of a Danish-funded project (GNAEP) in three coastal districts of greater Noakhali, southeast region of Bangladesh. The results reveal that, before GNAEP, there was a longer prawn marketing chain with a number of intermediaries who used to share a considerable amount of market margin. However, after implementation of GNAEP, the prawn marketing chain has become shorter with a significant reduction of intermediaries which facilitates direct selling of prawns to processing plants through local Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The present prawn marketing system in the regions is in favor of prawn farmers. Farmers have greater advantages because 1) CBOs provide reasonable market price and actual weight, 2) CBOs can bargain with processing plants as the former are aware of the latest international market prices through Marketing Information System 3) number of intermediaries is lowered and 4) transport and preservation costs are reduced. The displaced intermediaries, some of whom are powerful persons in the society, have again started to influence the prawn market in different ways. This fact has opened up another discussion on how the power structure is shifting in this region and how they are affecting prawn marketing.     

3种淡水对虾在冻藏过程中蛋白质特性的变化

以目前市场上主要的3种养殖对虾为对象,以肌原纤维蛋白盐溶解度、Ca2+-ATPase活性与蛋白质表面的巯基含量为指标,探讨了不同温度冻藏过程(-10、-20、-30、-40℃)对虾虾肉蛋白质生物化学特性的变化,评价了不同冻藏温度对对虾品质的影响。结果表明,第一,3种蛋白质的冷冻变性指标应用于对虾时出现一定差异。Ca2+-ATPase活性比较灵敏,能较好反映-10～-40℃不同冻藏温度引起的蛋白质变性的程度。肌原纤维蛋白盐溶解度能够反映-20℃以上冻藏过程中蛋白质变性程度的差异,而-20～-40℃的差异难以区分。-10℃冻藏时,肌原纤维蛋白的盐溶解度下降明显,而-20℃冻藏时下降程度较小,-20、-30、-40℃冻藏时肌原纤维蛋白的盐溶解度没有明显区别。-10～-40℃冻藏对于巯基含量变化都不大。第二,冻藏过程中3种对虾蛋白质冷冻变性较轻度,比一般鱼类在冻藏过程中稳定,虾比大部分鱼类更耐冻。第三,冻藏温度越低Ca2+-ATPase活性下降程度越小,-10～-40℃冻藏时其差异性有比较明显区分,表明Ca2+-ATPase活性更适合于虾的质量评价。第四,-20℃冻藏对于虾类是比较经济合理的,实用冻藏温度可取-20℃...     

Rice fields to prawn farms: a blue revolution in southwest Bangladesh?

This paper examines freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in southwest Bangladesh where a large number of farmers have converted their rice fields to export oriented prawn farms, locally known as gher. The gher design potentially provides good opportunities for diversified production of prawn, fish, rice and dike crops, that has brought about a ‘blue revolution’. The average annual yield of prawn, fish and rice was estimated at 467, 986 and 2,257 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Large farmers produced higher production due to more inputs, larger farm size and longer experience of prawn farming than others. All farmers in different gher size categories (i.e., small, medium and large) made a profit, with seed and feed dominating variable costs. Despite a higher production costs per hectare, the average annual net return was higher in large farms (US2,426), compared with medium (US2,426), compared with medium (US1,798) and small (US$1,420) farms. Prawn production in gher systems has been accompanied by a great deal of social and economic benefits. Most farmers associate the blue revolution with increases in income and living standards. Socio-economic benefits of the households of prawn farmers depend on resource ownership (i.e., farm size) and are very apparent. Nevertheless, a number of significant challenges, particularly social and environmental issues, are vital in translating its benefits effectively to the thousands of rural poor.     

Current status and prospects of farming the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) in Bangladesh

Giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. Presently, it is cultured in around 50 000 ha area with total annual production of 23 240 t. Traditional extensive prawn farming has been expanding over the last three decades through the introduction and adoption of improved culture systems, such as culture of prawn‐carps, prawn‐shrimp‐fish and prawn‐fish‐rice as concurrent and rotational systems. Efforts for the development of improved techniques on broodstock management, seed production and rearing and grow‐out of prawn have been made over the last decade. The outcomes are low‐cost feed for broodstock, production of post‐larvae in net cages (hapa), all‐male prawn culture, periphyton based prawn‐tilapia culture, C/N based prawn culture, organic prawn farming, prawn‐mola culture and prawn‐carp‐mola polyculture. Despite the development of culture technologies, a number of challenges for sustainable development of prawn farming need to be overcome to realize the potentials of this promising sector. Good aquaculture practises at all levels and application of measures for quality control and food safety would ensure sustainable development of prawn farming in Bangladesh.     

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) for Control of Black Spot Formation in Chilled Prawns

The marketing of organically labeled prawns is predominately in a cooked or raw frozen form to avoid the development of melanosis (black spot). Certification for organic status prohibits the use of any added chemicals. The application of 60% CO₂/40%N₂ modified atmosphere to chilled (raw) prawns using two species of prawn was investigated for the ability to control black spot formation. Sensory assessment and microbiological counts were used to determine the end of product shelf life. Modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) prawns exhibited no melanosis for up to 16 days. The high quality life was retained for 12 days; shelf life of 16 days, according to standard microbiological criteria, was achieved, which is more than twice previously reported for non-MAP prawns. Results suggest MAP may be an effective method for the marketing of organically grown prawns as well as those produced by conventional prawn aquaculture without application of the normal chemicals used to prevent black spot.     

生石灰对蟹虾围塘养殖的影响

通过对越冬和非越冬锯缘青蟹、脊尾白虾、弹涂鱼耐生石灰试验,证明青蟹有很强的耐生石灰能力,脊尾白虾有较强的耐生石灰能力。蟹虾围塘养殖在围塘清淤后对越冬青蟹进行生石灰消毒,养殖过程中定期用生石灰泼洒,并与对照塘做对比试验,以及大面积推广应用,结果表明:使用生石灰能使围塘锯缘青蟹、脊尾白虾发病率显著减少,成活率显著提高,生长明显加快,蜕壳时间相对集中,饵料系数明显降低,产量和效益显著提高。生石灰对围塘蟹虾健康生长有很大作用。     

STUDIESONTHEOPTIMALREQUIREMENTSOFPANTOTHENICACID．BIOTIN．FOLICACIDANDB＿（12）INTHESHRIMPPENAEUSCHINENSI

ＳＴＵＤＩＥＳＯＮＴＨＥＯＰＴＩＭＡＬＲＥＱＵＩＲＥＭＥＮＴＳＯＦＰＡＮＴＯＴＨＥＮＩＣＡＣＩＤ．ＢＩＯＴＩＮ．ＦＯＬＩＣＡＣＩＤＡＮＤＢ＿（１２）ＩＮＴＨＥＳＨＲＩＭＰＰＥＮＡＥＵＳＣＨＩＮＥＮＳＩＳＬｉｕＴｉｅｂｉｎ，ＺｈａｎｇＪｉａｍｅｎｇ，Ｌ...     

Effects of stocking density, periphyton substrate and supplemental feed on biological processes affecting water quality in earthen tilapia–prawn polyculture ponds

The technical and economic potentials of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and giant river prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), polyculture in periphyton-based systems are under investigation in an extensive research programme. This article is a combined analysis of data from four experiments exploring the effects of periphyton, fish, prawn and feed on water quality. Factor analysis and ancova models applied to the combined dataset allowed to identify the underlying ecological processes governing the system, and construct conceptual graphic models of the periphyton–environment relationships observed. With the first factor, variability in water quality was due to autotrophic (photosynthesis and nutrient uptake) and heterotrophic (respiration and decomposition) processes affecting water quality in opposite directions. With the second factor, variability was related to decomposition on the bottom and nutrient release into the water column, algae production and sedimentation. The analysis of the relationships between both factors and the growth rates of tilapia and prawn in the different systems allowed a better understanding of the functioning of tilapia–prawn ponds, and indicates that their joint culture is technically feasible and economically viable. Therefore, this technology is recommended for poverty alleviation and nutritional security in rural Bangladesh as well as in other countries of the region.     

Current status of the giant freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii) industry in China,with special reference to live transportation

The giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was first introduced into mainland China by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences from Japan in 1976. It was cultured at the Guangdong Province Fishery Institute (now as Pearl River Fishery Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences). Following these early efforts, giant freshwater prawn culture has gradually spread to northern and inland areas. At this time (2011), China has become the largest producer of giant freshwater prawn in the world. Due to a preference of cooking with fresh aquatic products, Chinese retail markets have developed which have special live‐holding counters. From small rural shops to urban supermarkets and specialty restaurants, live seafoods are commonly available whereby customers pick out the products they wish to purchase and consume. Giant freshwater prawns are produced in over 35 countries throughout the world. They are usually sold either fresh, on‐ice, or frozen. What makes the Chinese prawn industry unique is its focus on a live transportation and marketing model. As a result, numerous innovative live‐transport technologies have been developed which have been key to the success of this expanding domestic industry. In this article, we would like to give a general overview of the giant freshwater prawn industry, its status in China, and the special role live‐transportation has for expanding production of giant freshwater prawns.     

General introduction to the prawn pond system in taiwan

The remarkable achievements of prawn culture in recent years in Taiwan have been widely recognized. In 1984, the annual production of the grass prawn Penaeus monodon alone reached 18 000 tonnes, making it one of the most important and fastest growing aquaculture items. Its production is still increasing and its importance will continue to grow in the coming years.

When considering the progress of prawn culture, aquaculture engineering problems such as pond construction, water inlet and outlet systems, and aeration systems are of great concern. An introduction to prawn pond construction and accessory equipment in Taiwan is given, and a comparison with the representative prawn pond systems in Japan and Hawaii is made. The present problems faced in these areas and possible solutions are also discussed.     

An integrated framework of sensing,machine learning,and augmented reality for aquaculture prawn farm management

The rapid growth of prawn farming on an international scale will play an important role in meeting the protein requirements of an expanding global population. Efficient management of the commercial ponds for healthy production of prawns is the key mantra of success in this industry. It is a necessity to maintain the water quality parameters in these ponds within specific ranges to create an ideal environment of optimal growth of healthy prawns. The current practice of water quality data collection and their usage for decision making on most farms is not efficient and does not take full advantage of the latest technologies. The research presented in this paper aimed at addressing this problem by systematic investigation and development of an integrated framework where (i) modern sensors were investigated for their suitability and deployed for continuous monitoring of the water quality variables in prawn ponds; (ii) novel machine learning models were investigated based on collected data and deployed to accurately forecast pond status over next 24 h. This provides farmers insight into upcoming situations and take necessary measures to avoid catastrophic situations; and (iii) augmented reality-based visualisation methods were investigated for improved data capture process and efficient decision making through real-time interactive interfaces. The paper presents the integrated framework as well as the details of sensing, machine learning, and augmented reality components. We found that (i) YSI EXO2 Multi-Sonde is the best sensor for continuous monitoring of prawn ponds; (ii) ForecastNet (our developed machine learning model) provides best forecasting results with symmetric mean absolute percentage error of 6.1 %, 9.6 %, and 8.5 % for dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature; and (iii) augmented reality-based interactive interface achieves accuracy as high as 89.2 % for management decisions with at least 41 % less time. The experience of the project as presented in this paper can act as a guide for researchers as well as prawn farmers to take advantage of latest sensors, machine learning algorithms and augmented reality tools.     

崂山湾中国对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)增殖放流的效果评价

为了评价崂山湾中国对虾的增殖效果,2012年5月在崂山湾分两批次放流中国对虾15673万尾。2012年7–9月开展了中国对虾跟踪与回捕调查,进行了中国对虾放流苗种存活生长状况、洄游分布及回捕情况的研究,并应用“Bhattacharya”法区分了中国对虾的自然群体与放流群体。结果显示,8月中旬中国对虾放流苗种主要生活在崂山湾中部海域,第1、2批放流苗种的平均体长分别达到144.9、130.5 mm,随着水温的降低,作季节性短距离的由浅水向深水区移动,放流种群和自然种群分别占总群体的92%和8%;由于受到竞争生物及栖息地环境因素的影响,中国对虾放流群体的回捕率仅为0.58%。虽然相比其他海域中国对虾的回捕率较低,但是崂山湾中国对虾增殖放流仍然取得了一定的生态、经济和社会效益。     

The potential of mixed culture of genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater giant prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in periphyton-based systems

The production performance of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in periphyton‐based systems were studied in farmers' ponds at Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Fifteen ponds (200–300 m² area and 1.0–1.5 m in depth) were used to compare five stocking ratios in triplicate: 100% GIFT, 75% GIFT plus 25% prawn, 50% GIFT plus 50% prawn, 25% GIFT plus 75% prawn and 100% prawn. Ponds were stocked at a total density of 20 000 GIFT and/or prawn ha^?1. Bamboo poles (mean diameter 6.2 cm and 5.5 pole m^?2) were posted in pond bottoms vertically as periphyton substrate. Periphyton biomass in terms of dry matter (DM), ash‐free DM and chlorophyll a were significantly higher in ponds stocked with prawn alone than in ponds with different combinations of GIFT and prawn. Survival of GIFT was significantly lower in ponds stocked with 100% GIFT (monoculture) whereas, that of prawn was significantly higher in its monoculture ponds indicating detrimental effects of GIFT on prawn's survival. Individual weight gains for both species were significantly higher in polyculture than in monoculture. The highest total fish and prawn yield (1623 kg GIFT and 30 kg prawn ha^?1) over 125–140 days culture period was recorded in ponds with 75% GIFT and 25% prawn followed by 100% GIFT alone (1549 kg ha^?1), 50% GIFT plus 50% prawn (1114 kg GIFT and 68 kg prawn ha^?1), 25% GIFT plus 75% prawn (574 kg GIFT and 129 kg prawn ha^?1) and 100% prawn alone (157 kg ha^?1). This combination also gave the highest economic return. Therefore, a stocking ratio of 75% GIFT plus 25% prawn at a total density of 20 000 ha^?1 appeared to be the best stocking ratio in terms of fish production as well as economics for a periphyton‐based polyculture system.     

Yield characteristics of prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), with fish polycultures at low feeding rates

Abstract. As currently practiced, freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), aquaculture in Hawaii requires large inputs of supplementary feed, water and labour. The high cost of these inputs greatly restricts profit potential. An experiment was conducted to compare an alternative prawn production system which used lower feeding rates and fish polycultures to reduce inputs. Three treatments were run in quadruplicate: (1) control—prawns stocked at standard densities (11.5 per n2) in monoculture and fed standard prawn pellets at the commercial ration recommendations by New & Singholka (1982); (2) low feed—prawns at standard densities and fish [silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes), grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), and grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (L.)] fed one-half commercial ration; and (3) maintenance feed—prawns at standard densities and fish fed one-tenth commercial ration. Although prawn yield characteristics (mean weights, harvestable sizes, survival, net yields) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) based on an analysis of variance in the three treatments over the approximately 9.5-month culture period, this lack of significance most likely resulted from interpond variability and the lack of a large number of replicates. The relatively poor survival (60–63%) of gray mullet and an almost twofold difference in prawn yields in the control and maintenance feed treatments suggest that there was in fact competition for resources in the nominally polyculture systems. Nevertheless, the wet weight yield of biomass from all species was twice as high in the low feed ponds as in the control ponds.     

FRESHWATER PRAWN FARMING IN GHER SYSTEMS IN SOUTHWEST BANGLADESH

The livelihoods of a large number of farmers are associated with freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in gher (modified rice fields with high, broad peripheral dikes) systems in southwest Bangladesh. Most farmers integrated prawn with fish and rice in their gher and followed extensive methods using low inputs. Although farmers have improved their social and economic conditions through prawn farming, constraints include high production costs, low supply of wild fry and snail meat as prawn feed, lack of technical knowledge of farmers, and negative environmental impacts.     

Economic feasibility of prawn Macrobrachium production in South Carolina,USA

Cost and returns were estimated for freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii farming as a supplemental enterprise in South Carolina in relation to the following factors: (1) existing versus new investment for ponds and water supply; (2) three stocking strategies (postlarvae alone, a 50:50 mixture of postlarvae and nursed juveniles and nursed juveniles alone) at various densities (2·15–8·61 prawns m^?2); (3) a range of prices for seed stock ($0–50 per thousand); and (4) two marketing alternatives (sale of product as shrimp tails only or with the large animals marketed heads-on and the rest as tails). Net revenue estimates indicate that prawn aquaculture has potential to become a source of supplemental income to farmers in the coastal plain area of South Carolina and throughout much of the southeastern United States. This is especially likely if the enterprise can utilize existing pond facilities that are already discounted into the value of the land or were constructed during a period of lower investment costs. A prawn farm is unlikely to be profitable if postlarvae alone are stocked, even in existing facilities, but if a mixture of postlarvae and juveniles or juveniles alone are stocked in existing facilities, profitability is likely at seed costs up to about $40 per thousand.     

中国对虾幼体消化酶活力的实验研究

以酶学分析方法测定了中国对虾各期幼体几种消化酶活力，实验结果表明，在中国对虾幼体发育过程中，五种消化酶活力表现出四种变化模式，其中胃蛋白酶和类胰蛋白酶活力逐渐增大，淀粉酶活力呈下降趋势，纤维素酶和脂肪酶活力极微，在食性转换过程中，胃蛋白酶、类胰蛋白酶和淀粉酶出现较明显的变化。中国对虾幼体消化酶活力对饵料中的营养物质有着明显的适应性，而且饥饿实验表明消化酶活力受个体发育的影响。作者认为中国对虾幼体消     

An Economic Analysis of Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Farming in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

This paper deals with production systems, cost structure, and profitability of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, farming in a new area of Mymensingh district in the north‐central part of Bangladesh. In the study area, prawn farming practice is still extensive, and only a few farmers (20%) cultivate semiintensively. The costs and returns of extensive and semiintensive farming systems are compared. All farmers in different farming systems made a profit, with seed and feed dominating variable costs. Considerable variation in production costs and profitability was observed. Based on the Cobb–Douglas production function model, return to scale indicates that there is scope to increase production and income from prawn farms in extensive and semiintensive systems by applying more inputs (i.e., seed, feed, and fertilizer).