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Super Intensive Vannamei Shrimp Farming in Sulawesi

MARCH/APRIL2015Volume 11 Number 2

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8 March/April 2015 AQUA Culture Asia Pacific Magazine

Shrimp Culture

Super intensive shrimp farming in West SulawesiHow extreme can we push vannamei shrimp culture? In Sulawesi, Bhakty Baramuli showed after three crops, that a high stocking density of 500-1,000 PL/m2 is possible

By Poh Yong Thong

Situated at the northeast of Java and southeast of Borneo, the

Indonesian island of Sulawesi is endowed with rich fisheries

resources and is surrounded by good quality sea water. Hence the

farming of Penaeus monodon in Sulawesi is very popular since

the 1990’s. According to official statistics from the Department

of Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF),

15,000 tonnes of monodon shrimp were produced in south

Sulawesi in 1996 and this rose to 60,428 tonnes in 2013. For

example, PT Bangai Sentral Shrimp, a French shrimp farm of

200 ha was first to establish itself in central Sulawesi. Since the

introduction of the vannamei shrimp to Indonesia, its farming has

been increasing, mainly in central, south and west Sulawesi. In

2013, total production of this shrimp was 29,408 tonnes (MMAF).

However, Sulawesi’s distance from the densely populated Java

island results in higher shrimp feed costs and low prices for the

harvested shrimp. Feed prices might differ by IDR 2,000 (USD

0.16) per kg and the differences in shrimp prices may range from

IDR 6,000 to 10,000 (USD 0.48 to 0.80) per kg. Recently, there is

a re-emergence of shrimp farming as a result of the late 2012 rise

in shrimp prices due to a shortage in supply. The increase in price

and demand is now attracting shrimp farmers back to this remote

island. Interestingly, south Sulawesi is reputed with its innovative

super intensive vannamei shrimp farming systems, such as that

by Dr Hasanuddin Atjo (AAP, 2013). In early November 2014, a

visit was made to another interesting super intensive vannamei

shrimp farm in west Sulawesi.

Baramuli is the largest producer of postlarvae in west Sulawesi

and currently its production is 130 million post larvae (PL) per

month. Relative to south Sulawesi, the western region is a small

shrimp production area with a volume of 3,036 tonnes in 2013.

Perhaps this is one reason why Bhakty Baramuli, the owner

decided to start super intensive farming of vannamei shrimp. The

farm has a total of three ponds. Another two ponds are still under

construction. At the time of our visit, the farm was running its

third crop, after two successful crops where ponds were stocked

at a very high density of 1,000 PL/m2.

Main featuresThe ponds are entirely concrete with sizes of about 3,000 m2 and

depths close to 3 metres. However, sea water is filled up to the

2.2 m mark. Out of the three ponds, one pond uses a total of 48

HP for aeration with 6 paddlewheels of 1 HP and 6 paddlewheels

of 2 HP. The total aeration for the pond described in this article is

is 18 HP. There are also two blowers, each of 15 HP.

In this cycle, post larvae (PL10) shrimp are stocked at 500 to

550 PL/m2. The pond, as normally practised in Indonesia, has a

central discharge system to drain away sludge at least five times

a day. In addition, frequent siphoning is carried out to remove

other accumulated matter.

The level of dissolved oxygen is maintained above 4.5 ppm.

pH was maintained at 7.6 to 7.9 when shrimp was stocked at 57

days of culture (DOC). Alkalinity was kept at 130 ppm; probiotics

and magnesium sulphate were routinely added to maintain water

quality. Water was replaced at 70 to 120 cm daily depending on

water quality conditions.

At the farm, Pak Bhakty Baramuli (middle) with the author Poh Yong Thong (third left) with farm technicians, chief technician, Budi (second left) and John Miduk, Gold Coin Sulawesi Sales (third right) and Mohd Bima (Area Sales manager, of Gold Coin (right).

The pond, as normally practised in Indonesia, has a central discharge system to drain away sludge at least five times a day.

March/April 2015 AQUA Culture Asia Pacific Magazine 9

The total number of post larvae stocked in the pond was

1,650,000 and at DOC 57, the feed demand was 525 kg/day. For

this cycle, Bhakty used Gold Coin Forte feeds, with 36% crude

protein. At DOC 53, shrimp were sampled and averaged 6 g in

weight. Each pond uses three auto feeders for feeding.

A previous harvest was 28 tonnes from a 3,000 m2 pond. The

feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 1.4 for shrimp size of 60/kg

(average weight of 16.7 g) and survival rate was 93% after DOC

107.

On 16 December 2014, Bhakty harvested the pond visited.

The harvest after DOC 97 totalled 27 tonnes, after three partial

harvests. This time, FCR was 1.49 and harvest size was 55/kg

(18.2 g) and survival was 97%.

Air bubbles are from blowers. Autofeeders are used which is not a common feeding method in Indonesia

Blowers and paddlewheels vigorously aerate and move pond water.

Some commentsSuper intensive shrimp farming at above 300 PL/m2, has its

prerequisites. Foremost, is the requirement of very good quality

sea water. The farm should be located in a friendly ecological

setting away from other farms. A small number of ponds, not

exceeding the carrying capacity of the area is also a prerequisite.

Such a system can be adopted when the operator not only strictly adheres to standard operating procedures, but also possesses a high level of understanding and technical skills in shrimp farming.

Poh Yong Thong is based in Sabah, Malaysia where he runs

a small shrimp farm. Email: poyoto2002@yahoo.com

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