DEDUCTION : A research project for shrimp farming sustainability in New-Caledonia

New Caledonian shrimp farming feasibility studies started in the mid-seventies. Today ca. 2000 tons of Litopenaeus stylirostris, introduced in 1978, are semi-intensively produced each year. Since fifteen years, production has been impacted by two seasonal vibriosis, the “Summer” syndrome caused by Vibrio nigripulchritudo in relation to pond bottom and water column quality, and the “Winter Syndrome” caused by Vibrio penaeicida in relation to drastic temperature drops . With the ambition of elucidating processes possibly leading to mortality outbreaks in ponds, Ifremer has been conducting a research program since 2003 under the DESANS project (2003-2006) and the present DEDUCTION project, equally funded by the South and North Provinces and by the Government of New Caledonia. This program has been designed in a multidisciplinary approach integrating the suspected multifactorial origin of shrimp mortalities. Environment quality in ponds (either sediment or water column) plays a major role in the shrimp ecophysiological status, influencing sensitivity to pathogens . DEDUCTION focuses on a better knowledge of phytoplankton composition and biogeochemical fluxes at the sediment-water interface in ponds. Impact of farm discharges is also investigated. In addition, a more fundamental work is conducted to understand the pathogenicity mechanisms of these two Vibrio species but also to prevent the occurrence of viral infections through a RNA interference approach. Markers of the ecophysiological status of broodstock, larvae, post-larvae and reared animals, such as enzymes testifying from an oxidative stress, are developed. Gain of performance (resistance to pathogens and growth) were obtained on hybrids of the New Caledonian and introduced Hawaiian strains. Finally the database Stylog is exploited in view of discriminating “good” from “bad” rearings on the basis of relevant indicators.