Seed selection practices adopted by shrimp farmers of Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts

Selecting quality shrimp seed plays a pivotal role in the productivity and sustainability of shrimp farming, particularly in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts. Shrimp farmers rely on hatcheries and Nauplii Rearing Centres (NRCs) in Tamil Nadu, especially those in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts, to procure high-quality, Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) shrimp seeds. Farmers follow stringent shrimp seed selection methods and seed quality is assessed through physical and health parameters, with tests for various diseases like White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS). This article focuses on the process of shrimp seed selection practiced by shrimp farmers in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts, offering an in-depth look at the key practices that ensure the successful Vannamei shrimp farming.