WRITTEN QUESTION No. 962/99 by Anita POLLACK Shrimp farming in Bangladesh and environmental protection
Date: 1999-04-13
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: Bangladesh, crustacean farming, economic situation, environmental protection, farming system, sustainable development













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91999E0962

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 962/99 by Anita POLLACK Shrimp farming in Bangladesh and environmental protection  


Official Journal C 370 , 21/12/1999 P. 0145 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0962/99by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission(13 April 1999)Subject: Shrimp farming in Bangladesh and environmental protectionWill the Commission consider discussing with the Bangladesh Government possible means of assistance to shrimp farmers to convert to the "closed" system of shrimp farming which recycles and cleans waste-water and is hance less damaging to the environment than the traditional method.Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission(5 May 1999)Shrimp farming in Bangladesh is essentially extensive or improved extensive and only a small part is managed using semi-intensive or intensive techniques. It is also seasonal and alternates, depending on the region, with rice cultivation or salt production. The operators involved are mainly small farmers or shrimp growers and the investments required for this activity are relatively low. Modern closed system fish farming eliminates the inconvenience of environmental pollution, but is a high tech system with high start-up investment and production costs requiring sound management expertise. This is why this system has been introduced in such countries as the United States and Thailand, where industrial shrimp aquaculture is competitively pursued.To have a significant environmental impact, it would be necessary in Bangladesh to convert a substantial part of the present shrimp farming into a closed system. This appears quite difficult for the time being, since closed fish farming is more suited to industrial aquaculture companies than small farm operators who do not have the financial resources nor the technical skills.Moreover, the Community believes that as long as shrimp aquaculture continues to take place in heavily populated and heavily used coastal environments, shrimp farming should be considered in the context of other coastal needs. Sustainable solutions for specific shrimp aquaculture operators can be meaningless if there is not a wider approach in the entire coastal zone aiming at balancing multiple resources and multiple uses of coastal areas. The problem of aquaculture and shrimp farming is not only environmental but also economic and social and must be faced in its entirety.The Commission understands the government of Bangladesh is working on the preparation of a comprehensive fisheries policy and a fourth national fisheries project aimed at increasing fish and shrimp production in a sustainable manner, eliminating poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability. Its strategy concerning shrimp farming aims to promote improved traditional farming rather than intensive farming; to stimulate group formation to enable small land owners to produce shrimps; to supply extension services and veterinary control; and to improve the institutional organisation of its services.If the government of Bangladesh wishes to start a discussion on environmental sustainability, fiscal incentives, and the social, environmental and institutional issues facing the fisheries sector and shrimp farming, the Commission is prepared to engage in a dialogue in order to consider how best to support its activities.