Nopphadol Sukrakanchana, Suphada Kiriratnikom, Jareeporn Ruangsri, and Kitjakarn Supamattaya

pp. 225 - 238

Abstract

As the culture industry of black tiger shrimp in Thailand has encountered several problems causing
unsuccessful shrimp culture over decades, a new non-indigenous marine species, i.e. Pacific white shrimp
(Penaeus vannamei) was imported into Thailand as an alternation. However, imported white shrimp may
carry some infectious agents which pose serious threats on aquatic species native to Thailand. Therefore, in
the present study the import risk analysis (IRA) was conducted to identify any hazard and estimate the risk
presented by importation of white shrimp. The process involves the risk analysis steps of hazard identification
and characterization, risk assessment and risk management. The risks associated with individual diseases
and disease agents of white shrimp have been evaluated. Risk assessment conducted using risk evaluation
matrix indicated high risk of Taura syndrome virus (TSV), White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Infectious
hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in imported white shrimp. The iterative process of
risk management leads to a set of acceptable measures or strategies for each identified hazard for which the
unrestricted risk is considered higher than appropriate level of protection. These measures or strategies will reduce risk to a level that is considered acceptable. Where measures or strategies that reduce the risk associated with a particular hazard to an acceptable level cannot be identified, permission to import the relevant
commodity will be denied. The measures implemented in the control of white shrimp imports constitute
quarantine and health certificate issued by exporting countries.