A successful vannamei shrimp harvest is what all farmers dream of. Because, with a successful harvest, the farmers can get enormous profits. However, a good and proper cultivation process is needed to get to that point.

As the final stage in cultivation, harvest is the most awaited stage for the farmers. The harvesting process must be done promptly. There are particular techniques to avoid killing or damaging the shrimp.

So, for this reason, in this article, we will share tips on how to harvest vannamei shrimp correctly and the steps that must be followed to produce a profitable harvest.

Also Read: How to Cultivate Vannamei Shrimp from Preparation to Harvest

Tips for Vannamei Shrimp Harvest

1. Monitor Shrimp Conditions

Vannamei shrimp is a species whose growth period is faster than other shrimp. Therefore, ensure your shrimp have reached their ideal size to get the best yields.

2. Before Shrimp Harvest Time, Make Sure the Shrimp are not Infected with Diseases

Before harvesting vannamei shrimp, farmers need to ascertain whether the shrimp have signs of disease or not. Observations can be made by looking at the shrimp’s physical condition and behaviour.

If shrimp are found to be infected with certain diseases, harvesting activities can be adjusted to mitigate the disease that attacks the pond.

3. Ensure the Pond Water Level is Right

After deciding to harvest shrimp, the pond water level before it begins is the first thing to pay attention to. It would be best if you first lowered the water level by considering several parameters, such as the shrimp biomass in the pond, the area of the pond, the speed of water drainage, the slope of the pond bottom, and so on.

Pond personnel responsible for harvesting must know each pond well to determine the optimal water level before harvesting the shrimp.

When lowering the water level, be sure to do it carefully so that the shrimp are not stressed, which can generally trigger massive moulting.

4. Use Proper Harvesting Techniques for Shrimp Harvest

When harvesting vannamei, it is essential to use proper techniques to minimize stress on the shrimp, for example, by using a net to carefully remove the shrimp from the pond or using a vacuum system to suck the shrimp out of the pond.

Using nets or nets is a manual harvesting technique practised for many years. Meanwhile, many ponds have recently switched to mechanical harvesting using various equipment, such as impeller pumps.

Harvesting mechanically allows farmers to harvest their shrimp more quickly and does not require a lot of technicians to do it. However, farmers must also ensure the post-harvest stage to avoid delays and backlogs that affect shrimp quality.

Also Read: 4 Types of Vannamei Shrimp Harvest Time

5. Complete the Shrimp Harvest in the Optimal Time

Ideally, harvesting process should be completed within a few hours, depending on the area of the pond and the amount of biomass. The goal is for the shrimp in the pond to remain in good condition and not stressed.

Harvest time is also determined by the speed at which the water level drops. In addition, starting harvesting with a water level that is too high can also have unwanted consequences. For example, harvesting time is too long and can cause stress and massive molting.

6. Store Shrimp the Right Way

After harvesting the vannamei shrimp, the next step is storing the shrimp, which must also be done correctly. The goal is to keep the shrimp fresh and maintain their quality.

The usual method is to store the prawns in the fridge and cool them to the right temperature. In addition, make sure the shrimp are not exposed to air with too high humidity.

7. Pack Shrimp Properly

The last tip for harvesting shrimp is packing shrimp in the right way. This is to ensure that the shrimp remains fresh during the distribution process. Packaging can be done by vacuum sealing, refrigerating containers, or packing the shrimp using insulating materials.

Also Read: Get to Know the Vannamei Shrimp as a Farmers’ Favorite

Harvest Your Shrimp at the Best Price with DELOS

Those are seven tips for harvesting vannamei shrimp that farmers must pay attention to maximise yields and produce high-quality shrimp. Because the quality of the shrimp harvested will determine the price.

So, for those of you who want to harvest your shrimp at the best price and in a transparent process, DELOS is the right choice for you.

DELOS is the best science, technology and operational management-based aqua-tech company to help manage your shrimp pond. Including one of them is the harvest process.

The process of harvesting DELOS vannamei shrimp is carried out by experts transparently at the best price.

DELOS also has an integrated supply chain program, AquaLink, to connect you with producers and farm owners to obtain and sell pond products at competitive prices.

Immediately contact the DELOS Team via contact@delosaqua.com or submit via the contact column on our website, www.delosaqua.com, to join the ecosystem and explore new opportunities in the aquaculture sector.