The Aquatic Quarantine Facility (AQF), established by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and operated by its research arm Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), proudly completes 16 years of dedicated service to India’s shrimp aquaculture sector. Since its inception on July 18, 2009, AQF has played a vital role in securing the health and quality of broodstock entering the country, ensuring a disease-free and productive shrimp farming ecosystem.
A Legacy of Impact
Over the last 16 years, AQF has successfully quarantined:
- 27.58 million P. vannamei brooders
- 36,212 P. monodon brooders
- 13.86 million P. vannamei parent postlarvae
- 257,603 P. monodon parent postlarvae
These figures reflect AQF’s unwavering commitment to rigorous screening and high-end quarantine procedures. The facility operates round the clock with stringent biosecurity protocols, significantly contributing to India’s rise as a global shrimp powerhouse.
Driving India’s Shrimp Success
AQF’s silent yet critical role has supported India’s phenomenal growth in shrimp production:
- 1.1 million metric tons of shrimp production
- 2nd position globally among shrimp-producing nations
- 16 consecutive years of disease-free imported broodstock
Even during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, AQF maintained uninterrupted services, ensuring hatcheries across the country received timely and screened broodstock for continued operations.
Collective Support and Collaboration
The sustained success of AQF is a result of collaborative efforts and stakeholder trust. MPEDA extends its heartfelt appreciation to:
- The Chairman, MPEDA / President, RGCA
- The Director, MPEDA
- Officials from MPEDA, Department of Fisheries (GoI & Tamil Nadu), Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS), and Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA)
- Hatchery operators, BMC operators, and aquaculture stakeholders who continue to uphold strict biosecurity measures alongside AQF
A Future Committed to Biosecurity
As AQF moves forward, the facility remains resolute in its mission to safeguard India’s aquaculture sector by ensuring the continuous supply of healthy, pathogen-free seed. With deep gratitude to all partners and personnel, AQF reaffirms its commitment to the sector and looks forward to many more years of empowering India’s shrimp success.
#MPEDA #RGCA #AQF #ShrimpSuccess #ShrimpQuarantine #Biosecurity #IndianAquaculture #SeafoodExports #SustainableAquaculture
