Domestication and Genetic Improvement of Indian White Shrimp, Penaeus indicus: A Complimentary Native Option to Exotic Pacific White Shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

Abstract

Shrimp farming is the economic engine of Indian aquaculture, where the annual production touched 0.7 million tons in 2017-18, valued over ₹30,000 crores. However, the sustainability of shrimp farming and production raises serious questions due to its single species focus, where 90% of the production is of the exotic Pacific white shrimp. Of late, several issues of shrimp aquaculture in India with special reference to Penaeus vannamei farming have been reported and are being discussed. Although the introduction of P. vannamei revolutionized shrimp aquaculture in India since 2010, recently aquaculture of P. vannamei has shown several problems owing to multiple reasons viz., a decline in the productivity, emerging pathogens and increasing trend in production cost. In this context, the potential of development of native penaeid shrimp, the Indian white shrimp, P. indicus was critically evaluated. Present and past research work carried out in India towards the domestication of P. indicus indicate comparative advantages of domestication of the Indian white shrimp. The use of native species has many physiological advantages while avoiding many risks related to environmental issues and the introduction of exotic pathogens. High genetic diversity of P. indicus improves the effectiveness of selective breeding programs and provides one more option for the shrimp farmers towards sustainable shrimp farming.