Researchers have developed a black tiger shrimp resistant to white spot syndrome (WSSV).

Dean Lo Chu-Fang of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and her team did the work through a collaborative study with OSO Organic Shrimp Farm, a black tiger shrimp enterprise established in Madagascar by the largest aquatic product distributor in France, the researchers at National Cheng King University said in a release.

Two WSSV resistant shrimp families have already been produced, generating interest and excitement in the shrimp farming community, according to Lo.

Lo and her team began cultivating the first generation of WSSV-resistant black tiger shrimp in NCKU last November, starting from shrimp post larvae almost invisible to the naked eye.

Lo indicated that all of the shrimp are very healthy, and that not even one shrimp has become sick.

A special feed is currently being used to accelerate the shrimps’ growth, so that they can be used for breeding as soon as possible, she said.

Lo said virus-resistant shrimp is just the beginning, and that she will continue to research and develop black tiger shrimp families that are also stress resistant and fast growing.

This will reduce farming costs and increase the shrimp farmers’ revenue, and hopefully help to drive a renewed and sustainable shrimp farming industry in Taiwan and other Asian countries, according to Lo.