Shrimp Sub-Strategy, 2006.

The overall mission statement for the shrimp sector sub-strategy is the following: a shrimp sector recognized internationally for its high quality shrimp produced using socially responsible and environmentally sustainable production methods, with support to all stakeholders to ensure its development to its full potential. Within the strategy, a series of specific objectives have been developed relating to: a proposed regulatory framework; support measures for industry; collaboration and participation of stakeholders; structures, staffing and resources; and planning, monitoring and evaluation (pag. i).
The rationale for developing a more comprehensive and updated regulatory framework is threefold; to ensure that Bangladesh positions itself proactively to meet current and forthcoming international standards on food safety and traceability, that the industry is economically and environmentally sustainable, and that all aspects of the supply chain operate in a socially responsible manner ensuring benefits to all local community members. The regulatory framework provides a set of standards, legal and administrative procedures which will foster good management of shrimp production in Bangladesh in order to maximize the economic development for the country whilst ensuring an equitable distribution of benefits and sustainable use of natural resources. The regulatory framework deals with all areas of shrimp sector development including: production, quality control, marketing and export, environment and social aspects, and for effective management, requires strong interaction and coordination involving several GoB organisations. The regulatory framework is also an industry lead set of guidelines to determine good practice. The overall goal of the regulatory framework, in support of the Private Sector, ensures the development and implementation, by all stakeholders, of a legal and regulatory framework that will lead to sustainable and equitable development of the shrimp sub-sector (pag. ii).
The regulatory framework comprises 7 specific objectives: 1 Shrimp Production: put in place the regulations to ensure the sustainable increase in the supply and value of shrimp from culture systems enhancing earnings for farmers, improving the socio-economic conditions of local communities in shrimp farming areas and increasing foreign exchange earnings. 2 Area Development and Zoning: ensure that shrimp production takes place only in areas where the prevailing agro-ecological conditions are suitable and that it does not adversely affect the interests of other land and water user groups or cause environmental harm. This is applicable for both the freshwater and the coastal shrimps. 3 Wild Post Larval Collection: develop a management plan that regulates the collection of wild fry to conserve the resource whilst balancing the needs for livelihood protection of shrimp fry collectors. 4 Hatchery Certification and Registration: To establish a sustainable hatchery sector which through registration and certification ensures quality management of the hatchery process and ensure adequate production of post larvae which meets, and is responsive to, the growers’ demands for quality (with assurance of health and viability), without causing detriment to the environment. 5 Brood Stock Collection: develop a sustainable management plan for brood stock collection that ensures hatcheries are able to produce quality post larvae to meet the needs of the sector without causing detriment to the environment or wild stocks. 6 Marine Shrimp Harvesting: regulate and stabilize the marine shrimp trawling efforts to sustain its viability whilst ensuring that marine resources are conserved through compliance of regulations and the control of artisanal ESBN fishing (pag. ii).
7 Quality Control: raise export earnings by improving the quality of shrimp products to ensure that shrimp is produced in compliance with the food safety or HACCP rules, Bio-Terrorism act of USA, SPS measures of the WTO, the Human Rights and Labour rules and environmental codes as well as, improving the traceability of shrimp products at all points of the value chain from hatchery through to farm, marketing, and processing factory. 7.1 Quality control and certification. 7.2 Food Safety: provide quality control procedures). 7.3 Export Licensing: upgrade and maintain an export licensing system that ensures exported shrimp products fully comply with international food laws. 7.4 Traceability: provide a national license and registration system for all shrimp operators from hatcheries through to farmers, processors and exporters to ensure traceability within Bangladesh shrimp supply chains (pag. iii).
There is significant potential to couple shrimp sector development more effectively to poverty reduction particularly through a special emphasis on industry segments associated with pro-poor growth such as the freshwater prawn sector (this type of production has proven benefits to the poor and accounts for the majority of smallholders) (pag 2). The shrimp sector, not only covers the production of brackish water shrimp Bagda, but also the marine shrimp and the production of fresh water shrimp Golda (pag. 3).