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_Pacific white shrimp is susceptible to viral diseases _ an outbreak of white spot disease wiped out 40-60 per cent of Kerala's ready-to-harvest shrimp in the first week of May. Just

three months ago, the Union agriculture ministry allowed import and cultivation of a new shrimp variety, which, aquaculture experts say, is susceptible to the viral disease. There is no

known cure for the disease. The Pacific white shrimp (_Penaeus vannamei_), native to eastern Pacific countries, could also bring in newdiseases like taura syndrome and yellow head to India,

they warned. In the past decade several countries have suffered heavy losses from white spot and taura outbreaks following introduction of the variety. Seafood exporters who had lobbied hard

claimed the high-yielding variety would boost India's shrimp production and help recover its dwindling presence in the international market. Shrimp account for 60 per cent of

India's seafood exports. Black tiger shrimp (_Penaeus monodon_) has been the mainstay of India's seafood trade. But over the past few years the industry has been under pressure due

to growing demand for white shrimp. According to government sources, between 2005 and 2008, shrimp exports dropped by 70 per cent. Coupled with weak appreciation of the rupee against the

dollar, earnings of shrimp exporters have taken a hit. "Pacific white shrimp is inexpensive; it is becoming popular in the US and the EU--India's major shrimp markets. It makes

sense to farm this species," Tarun Shridhar, joint secretary (fisheries) of agriculture ministry, said. P Brahmanandam of Devi Seafoods Ltd in Andhra Pradesh said white shrimp are a

better option for profit (see box). "Many countries are focusing on white shrimp for export, so we need to catch up with them," he said. Asian export rivals such as China, Vietnam

and Indonesia have already introduced this variety. Aquaculture experts differ and term the move shortsighted.