Penaeid prawn

French Polynesia's potential for prawn farming is limited as mangrove areas are scarce and land access is quite limited.

Production of penaid prawns (Litopenaeus stylirostris) is currently around 60 tonnes.

The hatchery (8 to 10 millions post-larvae per 6 cycles a year) is supplying three farms located in Tahiti and Moorea.

There are areas to develop and reach a production to fill the gap with imports (500 tons), as local strains of Litopenaeus stylirostris show outstanding growth and are unharmed by diseases (they are IHHN resistant, and no other virus is present locally). Genetic variability and conservation of these strains are managed by SPE and Ifremer.

Technical assistance and R&D programs are fulfilled by SPE and Ifremer to reach a profitable sector, as :

- promotion of the local product

- rearing and hatchery techniques optimization

- cage culture experiments

- transfer of the techniques to the future hatchery of the Centre de la Mer