Genetic improvement and farming technological innovation on fleshy shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis in China

The farming of the fleshy shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis, one of the indigenous and most important mariculture species in the coastal areas of Northern China, has experienced a dramatic fluctuation in the last two decades. The outbreak of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in 1993 resulted in a production collapse of this species; many efforts have been made to restore the industry thereafter. In order to improve the growth performance and disease resistance of shrimp, systematic selective breeding and technological innovation on farming practices were introduced. Two new varieties of F. chinensis, named “Huanghai No. 1” and “Huanghai No. 2” were developed after 7 and 10 years of selective breeding, respectively. The characteristic trait of “Huanghai No. 1” is faster growth. Compared with the unselected population, its average body length and body weight increased by 8.40% and 26.86% respectively. The new variety “Huanghai No. 2” was developed using a combined individual/family selection methods and the multi-trait BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) strategy. This new variety was WSSV tolerant, as evidenced by higher survival rate and longer survival time after WSSV infection when compared to commercial seedling. Meanwhile, efforts were made to innovate and/or improve farming technologies to cope with the local shrimp farming conditions. Currently, the farming industry of F. chinensis in Northern China is recovering, and the farmers’ confidence reveals a prosperous future for farming this shrimp species in Northern China, even though challenges still exist and much more efforts are needed for further development.