CNMI ranks 4th in shrimp production in entire US

The CNMI ranked the fourth highest in shrimp farm production throughout the United States in 2010, surpassing other U.S. Pacific jurisdictions such as Guam and Hawaii.

In the shrimp farm production 2010 data compiled by Granvil Treece of the Texas A&M University, the CNMI harvested a total of 42,000 lbs of shrimp last year.

The state of Texas holds the top position with 2,526,648 lbs of shrimp harvested. Coming in second is Alabama with 248,900 lbs while Florida is in third spot at 90,368 lbs.

Guam ranks fifth next to the CNMI at 40,000 lbs while Hawaii is sixth with 18,000 lbs. South Carolina placed seventh with 7,000 lbs.

“As the agency responsible for aquaculture in the CNMI, we’re very happy about this development,” aquaculture specialist Michael Ogo of the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Resource Service told Saipan Tribune.

Ogo disclosed that he provided the shrimp production data to Dr. Hui Gong of the University of Guam who then provided it to Texas A&M University where she is an alumna.

According to Ogo, there are currently three shrimp farms in the CNMI: two on Saipan and one on Rota.

Of these three, Saipan Aquaculture Co. Inc., owned by businessman Tony Pellegrino, is the first major shrimp farm in the CNMI that produces the Marianas Sweet Shrimp.

In fact, a greater part of the CNMI data used by Texas A&M University for the 2010 ranking came from Saipan Aquaculture.

“He [Pellegrino] is what we call in the industry as the catalyst of aquaculture because of the success story of his shrimp farm,” said Ogo.

Ogo disclosed that many are afraid to venture into shrimp farming because of the difficulties and challenges in sustaining it. More people choose to venture into tilapia farming, which is less challenging compared to shrimp farming, he added.

“That’s why people who are not sure about shrimp farming, they look at Mr. Pellegrino’s story and his success has encouraged them,” he said.

Ogo also noted that many of Saipan Aquaculture’s staff are “good and knowledgeable,” having received various trainings including at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, which “makes them more credible.”

Saipan Aquaculture operations manager Mel Catalma said that they only found out about the rankings online.

“It’s a big honor not only for our shrimp farm but for the whole CNMI,” he said in an interview.

While he welcomes the great news, Pellegrino said the aquaculture and agriculture industries in the CNMI still face a big challenge in the form of exorbitant freight and shipping costs.

He hopes to address this challenge through Cargo Air Bridge, a cargo airline company Pellegrino is spearheading which will serve as a figurative bridge between Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.

“It will be a ray of hope for us,” Pellegrino said, adding that the cargo airline will enable them to export not just shrimp but also other local produce to neighboring islands.