‘SHAPHARI’- AQUACULTURE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME

India’s seafood exports touched an all-time high in volume during the financial year 2023-24 despite various challenges in significant export markets. India shipped 17,81,602 MT of seafood worth ₹60,523.89 crore (US$ 7.38 billion) during 2023- 24. The aquaculture sector has contributed 62% of exported items in terms of US$ and 38% in terms of quantity in 2023-24.

India is a leading producer and exporter of shrimp globally and it is notable that during 2023-24, India exported 7.16 lakh MT of frozen shrimp worth US$ 4.88 billion. Frozen shrimp retained its position as the most significant item in the basket of seafood exports, accounting for a share of 40.19% per cent in quantity and 66.12 % of the total dollar earnings.

Among the aquaculture species, Vannamei shrimp is the largest contributor to exports from the country and export of Black tiger shrimp is increasing year after year. In the last year, 6,25,475 MT of Vannamei worth US$ 4.25 billion was exported. BT shrimps were exported to the tune of 38,987 MT worth US$ 347.84 million. The export of Vannamei shrimp in 2023-24 has increased by 0.33% and that of Black Tiger shrimp increased by 24.91 %, in quantity terms.

Considering the position of India in the global shrimp scenario and the competition faced by India in shrimp trade from other countries, apart from the increased consumer awareness across the globe, it is imperative that Standards are set for export-oriented aquaculture production systems that include both hatcheries and farms. This is an outcome of multiple stakeholder consultations and field trials conducted on antibiotic free seed production using application of bacteriophage and probiotics.

 

Regulations on Antibiotic use in Aquaculture: Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Government of India has notified MRLs of antibiotics and heavy metals in the marine products exported (Notification SO 792 (E) dated Aug 17, 2001). As per the MOCI notification five antibiotics viz chloramphenicol,
furazolidone, neomycin, nalidixic acid and sulphamethaxazole are banned and no residues should be left in the animal body.

There are nine substances included of Regulation 2377/90/EEC that may not be used in food producing species because no safe level of residue can be determined: chloramphenicol, chloroform, chlorpromazine, colchicine, dapsone, dimetridazole, metronidazole, nitrofurans (including furazolidone) and ronidazole. The presence of such substance residues (including metabolites) is prima facie evidence of the use of prohibited substances in a food animal species.

The Coastal Aquaculture Authority also banned 20 antibiotics and other Pharmocologically active substances in aquaculture. As per the CAA (Amendment) Act 2023, all the Aquaculture Feed products must be certified by Coastal Aquaculture Authority as Antibiotic free aquaculture product.

 

Importance of Certification: Certification of hatcheries for production of antibiotic free seed has emerged as one of the main interventions to free Indian aquaculture from the use of antibiotics. This is also seen as a tool to improve consumer confidence.

Quality Certifications issued by international bodies are expensive and beyond the reach of small and marginal producers. In this circumstance, MPEDA formulated a scheme for Certification of Hatcheries for production of antibiotic free seeds in consultation with Farmer representatives, Hatchery representatives, Fisheries research institutions, EIA and CAA.

Apart from National Residue Control Programme (NRCP) and Pre Harvest Test (PHT) initiatives implemented by MPEDA, development of Certification in Aquaculture which is named as ‘SHAPHARI’ meaning superior quality of fishery product suitable for human consumption is another milestone initiative to address the above issue on food security. MPEDA launched this SHAPHARI certification programme on 07.02.2020.

 

“SHAPHARI”- Aquaculture Certification programme for hatcheries:

MPEDA, through its SHAPHARI certification programme, aims at encouraging primary producers for responsible use of chemicals and pharmacologically active substances in hatcheries. Certification helps farmers to easily identify the good quality seed producer. Certified hatcheries are benefitted by higher demand for their seeds among the farmers. Hatchery certification comprises Preliminary audit,Certification audit and 4 nos. of Pre-surveillance audits. The certificate is valid for 2 years. Hatchery will undergo Post Surveillance audit to retain certification. Audits are performed by empanelled auditors and seed samples are tested for presence of banned antibiotics & pathogens listed by the World Organization for Animal Health. Non-compliance with Standards or test results will disqualify the hatchery. So far, thirteen hatcheries have been certified under “SHAPHARI” Certification

 

“SHAPHARI”- Aquaculture Certification programme for farms:

The minimum substantive criteria suggested by FAO for developing Aquaculture certification standards.

  1. Animal health and welfare.
  2. Food safety.
  3. Environmental integrity and
  4. Socio-economic aspects.

For getting ‘SHAPHARI” certification for the farms should conform to the basic guidelines for Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) and meeting the standards of SHAPHARI. This certification encourages the farmer to adopt good aquaculture practices that improve the food safety of the aquaculture product. Farm certification process has two audit steps to qualify – GAP audit & Certification audit. So far, six farms have been certified under “SHAPHARI” Certification.

 

“SHAPHARI Plus +”:

It is an add-on process certification. This certificate is to ensure the absence of banned antibiotic residues like Nitrofuran metabolites and Chloramphenicol in the farmed shrimp. Farmers are eligible for this certification when all the ponds are brought under Pre-Harvest Test (PHT) schedule of MPEDA and tested negative for two consecutive crops. Pilot scale implementation of farm certification has initiated in Gujarat and being implemented across India.

 

Guidelines for “SHAPHARI” certification of FarmsClick here
Guidelines for “SHAPHARI” certification of Hatcheries Click here
List of “SHAPHARI” Certified FarmsClick here
List of “SHAPHARI” Certified HatcheriesClick here