GSA Partners with Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation on Project to Uplift Bangladesh’s Small-Scale Shrimp Farmers
The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), formerly the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), has partnered with the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) on a World Bank-funded project of the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries to uplift Bangladesh’s small-scale shrimp farmers and revitalize black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming.
Prior to 2003, black tiger shrimp dominated global shrimp production, but this role was eclipsed with the introduction of specific pathogen free (SPF) Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) as a solution to white spot syndrome virus. By 2018, the white shrimp sector had rocketed to nearly 5 million metric tons — eight times the production of black tigers. Black tiger shrimp production has remained nearly flat and confined primarily to small-scale farms, where the species is cultured at very low density without supplemental feed.
Low density black tiger shrimp have inherently high value due to their large size, natural pigmentation and low carbon footprint, but individual farms harvest small quantities, making it impractical for them to sell directly to processors. Instead, middlemen aggregate production from multiple farms and transport the collective harvest to processors, often with delayed delivery and compromised quality.
This project will facilitate the formation of clusters of small farms to increase their collective harvest volume and enable them to sell directly to processors. It will also encourage adoption of third-party certification to ensure compliance with international standards and strict product quality grades to incentivize production of Grade A product. This approach will yield large, naturally pigmented black tiger shrimp with excellent quality, international certification and low carbon footprint. These unique attributes are expected to generate greater consumer confidence and satisfaction, premium prices in the international markets, attractive returns to small-scale farmers and sustainable development of the sector.
Subsequent steps will include improved farm productivity with high quality postlarvae produced from SPF broodstock, supplemental feeds from low-carbon-footprint ingredients and educational programs in collaboration with The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS). The successful implementation of this project is also expected to benefit small-scale black tiger shrimp farms in other producing countries and to help revitalize the black tiger shrimp market worldwide.
Global Seafood Alliance
The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA, dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices and Best Seafood Practices certification standards, GSA has become the leading standards-setting organization for seafood.
About The Center for Responsible Seafood
Known as the Responsible Aquaculture Foundation since 2009, our 2021 transition to The Center for Responsible Seafood formally embraces our work with wild-caught fisheries. While our mission remains the same, our years of global experience have honed our vision. By sharing knowledge and innovation, TCRS strives to advance its vision of a world meeting the critical need for seafood produced through regenerative processes. We are driven by our responsibility to ensure a healthy planet and healthy people.
