Is Vannamei Species Prawn Production Legal In Thailand?

[khall64au]

Am studying a university topic on shrimp aquaculture in Thailand.

Since I cannot find confirmation from official sources, just wondering if anyone has information or links to official sources that will confirm if:

L. vannamei species prawn production is commercially legal in Thailand or not?

Am doing a case study on L. vannamei production in south Thailand, for sales to Australian importers - for academic purposes only - where can you suggest is the best source to get info on whether vannamei is a legally-traded commodity?

Vannamei is an exotic prawn species from Latin America - until a few years ago from recent research, the species was only approved for importation of broodstock (from Hawaii) for experimentation purposes only from 2001.

But vannamei production is now, just a decade on, a US$2.5billion annual export product from Thailand - way surpassing tiger prawn production.

When I look at the Thai Seafood Assoc product database it only mentions black tiger prawns (native to Thailand).

Correct me if I am wrong!

I need to know if L, vannamei has actually been officially approved by Thai govt for commercial production in Thailand.

Does anyone know of Thai government documentation (preferably in English)to confirm this?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers

[khall64au]

A bit strange that no one has looked at this thread since US, Europe, Japan and Australia are major importers of this aquaculture prawn product.

Surely there are some opinions on the vannamei prawn industry since it took over tiger prawn export production back in 2004?

[Pacificperson]

For biosecurity reasons, you will not be able to export any uncooked shrimp products to Oz.

[khall64au]

For biosecurity reasons, you will not be able to export any uncooked shrimp products to Oz.

A recent update:

Due to protest by prawn importers, a recent revision of the raw prawn import ban was announced on 9 May 2011 (AQIS, Public Quarantine Alert PQA0722) allowing uncooked, peeled prawns to enter Australia with test certification clearing for WSSV and YHV (Source: aqis.gov.au/icon32).

[Pacificperson]

For biosecurity reasons, you will not be able to export any uncooked shrimp products to Oz.

A recent update:

Due to protest by prawn importers, a recent revision of the raw prawn import ban was announced on 9 May 2011 (AQIS, Public Quarantine Alert PQA0722) allowing uncooked, peeled prawns to enter Australia with test certification clearing for WSSV and YHV (Source: aqis.gov.au/icon32).

Interesting, thanks for the update. IMO It will still be difficult.

[Amir]

Yes, Thaland has approved officialy the production of vannamei (white shrimp) since quite a long time ago. The production of this species has rised since 2004/2005 and switched from the Black tiger shrimp (monodon) to White shrimp (vannamei) due to disease outbreak.

Vannamei considered to be more profitable, growing faster and more disease resistant has rapidly taken over and represents now probably 99% of the produced shrimp in Thailand (compared to less then 10 years ago where it was nearly 100% monodon shrimp).

If you have any more specific questions regarding aquaculture PM me, I am aquaculture engineer and work in this industry since 10 years.

Cheers