Dozens of hectares of shrimp died of unknown cause

(Baonghean) -Dozens of hectares of shrimp in Nghi Loc and Quynh Luu died, but many people did not report to the authorities and did not take samples for testing to determine the cause. At present, one cause being proposed could be that the shrimp were released directly into the pond after being transported from afar.

After 40 days of releasing shrimp, more than 2,500 square meters of shrimp farming of Mr. Pham Van Thao's family in Thai Cat hamlet, Nghi Thai commune (Nghi Loc) showed signs of death. His family did not inform the authorities but bought medicine and lime to treat the pond. Mr. Thao said: "We saw that many households around the ponds also had shrimp die, but they tested them and waited forever for the results... Then we don't know if we will get any support. Moreover, this year, the veterinary agency made us pay before taking samples for testing. For white spot disease and taura, it is 150,000 VND/sample. For hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome, it is 1 million VND/sample. The family thought it was too much money so they didn't test it."

Mr. Le Anh Chien's family in Thai Cat hamlet, Nghi Thai commune has a 2,500m2 shrimp pond that also died. "The shrimp in the pond have been there for 45 days but suddenly stopped eating, washed ashore and fell to the bottom and died without knowing the cause. From the cost of seeds, pond renovation, labor costs... the family has lost more than 50 million VND" - Mr. Chien said. Mr. Chien also did not take samples for testing to know the cause of the shrimp death because he also saw that the surrounding shrimp ponds had taken samples so he did not take any more. Mr. Chien's family currently has 2 shrimp ponds, 1 pond uses seeds from CP Company, and 1 pond uses seeds from Hau Dien Company. However, Mr. Chien bought the shrimp seeds of Hau Dien Company directly from the company that transported them in Binh Thuan for sale, without going through nursery.

Mr. Le Anh Chien, Thai Cat hamlet, Nghi Thai commune takes care of the remaining shrimp pond.

The phenomenon of shrimp deaths in Nghi Thai commune has been happening since the end of April until nearly a week ago. The whole commune has about 21 hectares of white-leg shrimp farming area with 40 farming households, of which more than 90% have died. Mr. Pham Van Trong, head of the shrimp farming community group in Nghi Thai commune, said: Shrimp usually die at the age of 30-45 days after being released. After the phenomenon of shrimp deaths, we reported to the local authorities and veterinary agencies. However, because taking samples for testing costs money, only about 30% of households with dead shrimp paid for testing. The rest bought medicine to treat their ponds and waited for a while to release the second batch.

However, according to data compiled by the Department of Animal Health, the total area of ​​shrimp that died in Nghi Thai commune was only 1.2 hectares with 6 farming households, while in Quynh Luu, the total area of ​​shrimp that died was more than 5.5 hectares. After taking samples for testing, the specialized agency determined that the cause of shrimp death was white spot disease. The dead shrimp were mainly of the Viet Uc Joint Stock Company. Mr. Dang Van Minh, Deputy Head of the Department of Animal Health, said: This data was compiled from the District Veterinary Station. Because people did not report when they discovered dead shrimp, it was difficult to get the exact data.

Regarding the cause of shrimp death, Mr. Minh said: After taking samples and sending them for testing, it showed that the dead shrimp in Nghi Thai commune tested negative for Taura disease, and for white spot disease, some samples were positive and some were negative. As for hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome, it has not been clearly determined. For households in Quynh Luu, the results were positive for white spot disease. However, shrimp farmers in Nghi Thai commune are suspecting that the main cause of the recent shrimp deaths is due to seriously polluted water sources.

Currently, the water source used for shrimp farming in Nghi Thai commune flows into the same stream as the water discharged from the wastewater treatment plant for Vinh City. “We have repeatedly made recommendations through meetings and contact with voters about the pollution of the water source, but so far no authorities have come to investigate, evaluate and make an official conclusion. Meanwhile, our shrimp are gradually dying, losing hundreds of millions of dong,” Mr. Trong shared.

Explaining people's concerns about having to pay for disease testing, Mr. Minh said: According to Circulars 52 and 36 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Decision 09 of the Provincial People's Committee, when aquatic products show unusual signs, suspected of dangerous diseases, shrimp farmers must report to the community group, the Commune People's Committee and the District Veterinary Station to check and verify the cause of the disease. At the same time, they must comply with the collection of disease testing samples when there are unusual signs in aquatic animals as required by the veterinary agency and pay for testing those samples. Those who do not comply will be subject to administrative sanctions according to the provisions of law.

What is special is that most of the shrimp that died recently were in batches of shrimp that had not been raised. These shrimp were purchased directly by people from shrimp companies in the South Central provinces, or through nurseries in neighboring provinces. This action violated Directive 01/2012/CT-UBND of our province "On strengthening the management of shrimp seed quality and brackish and salty shrimp farming areas in Nghe An province".

Discussing this issue, Mr. Le Van Huong, Deputy Head of the Aquaculture Sub-Department, said: Before the beginning of the farming season, specialized agencies have organized propaganda in many forms to the people, shrimp seed dealers as well as authorities at all levels about the State's regulations on having to raise shrimp for 2 days or more before selling shrimp to the people. Recently, the Aquaculture Sub-Department coordinated with the Veterinary Sub-Department to organize inspections and caught 2 trucks carrying shrimp seeds without raising shrimp seeds in Quynh Luu. And most recently, they caught a truck carrying about 1 million shrimp seeds of T&T Company in Binh Thuan, which was about to release shrimp seeds in Nghi Hop commune, Nghi Loc without raising shrimp seeds and quality inspection documents.

Mr. Huong also added that although the authorities have actively intervened to prevent the sale of un-nursed shrimp, it is very difficult to manage. Because some people are chasing immediate profits and ignore the State's regulations. Meanwhile, buying and selling activities often take place at night, only when there is a report from the base will the sub-department go to inspect and handle it. Meanwhile, the management responsibility of the local government is still lax, making it very difficult to check the origin and quality of shrimp seeds.

Article and photos: Pham Bang