The government has suspended all new and existing approvals for the import of post-larvae for vannamei shrimp farming and stressed the need to increase production of indigenous shrimp species such as bagda (black tiger) and galda (prawn).

The decision was made at a high-level meeting held at the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, chaired by Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter on January 7.

The meeting was convened to review the environmental, social, and economic impacts of vannamei shrimp farming in Bangladesh, according to a statement from the ministry yesterday.

Vannamei shrimp is an import-dependent species, and importing its post-larvae poses risks of disease transmission, environmental pollution, and adverse impacts on indigenous species, including bagda and galda.

Experts at the meeting added that the unrestricted expansion of vannamei shrimp farming would be harmful. The discussion emphasised that vannamei shrimp farming should be limited to controlled, intensive, and environmentally sustainable methods.

Directions were given to closely monitor the activities of already approved vannamei farmers and to conduct on-site evaluations to ensure proper compliance with farming conditions.

It was decided that until the completion of this evaluation, all new and existing approvals for the import of vannamei shrimp post-larvae will remain suspended.

The meeting further resolved that necessary research would be conducted to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of vannamei shrimp farming. Subsequent policy and administrative decisions will be made based on the findings of this research.

According to data from the Department of Fisheries, the annual demand for post-larvae in Bangladesh is approximately 75 crore. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, import permission was granted for 5 crore post-larvae, of which around 70 percent were imported.

During the same fiscal year, import permission was also issued for 2,000 pieces of vannamei broodstock, all of which were imported. These imports originated from Thailand, India, and the United States.