The objective is to obtain preferential support for the shrimp sector so as to mitigate and counteract the effects caused by the disease, causing millions in losses in 2011. Also, the intention was to prevent its appearance this year.
The health risk caused a 50 per cent fall in shrimp production. This activity involves over 30,000 jobs, of which 7,000 are direct ones.
The farmed shrimp production dropped dramatically in the 2011 cycle: 40,697 tonnes reached the market, compared to 81,000 tonnes in 2010.
In economic terms, the losses exceeded 50 per cent, since the production value fell from about USD 313 million in 2010 to USD 156.7 million in 2011.
The formal request was sent to the State Secretary of Agriculture, Héctor Ortiz Ciscomani, by the heads of Aquaculture Health Committee of the State of Sonora (Cosaes), of the Private Farmers' Association of Sonora (AAPES) and of the Committee on the Shrimp Product System ( CSPC).
State authorities are responsible for interceding with officials of the National Health Service, Food Safety and Quality (Senasica) for the issuance of the declaration of disaster area.
The initiative is also supported by the Trust Funds to Agriculture (FIRA), which is the institution through which commercial banks support the development of aquaculture through credit and financing.
The affected municipalities are Huatabampo, Etchojoa, Benito Juárez, Cajeme, Bácum, San Ignacio Río Muerto, Guaymas, Empalme, Hermosillo, Navojoa, Pitiquito, Caborca, Puerto Peñasco and San Luis Río Colorado.
The intention is to revive and sustain the economy of the region, increasing the competitiveness of shrimp farms and the industry regarding this activity.
Cosaes head, Reyes Eugenio Molina Moreno, stressed that the area devoted to shrimp production in Sonora doubled in the period 2003-2009. During this period, the production increased from 36,247 tonnes to 81,423 tonnes, which ranked this state as the largest shrimp producer nationwide, reported Kiosco Mayor.
The growth of the activity meant the possibility of reaching about USD 313 million in 2009 compared to USD 139.3 million in 2003.
Fis