Plans to create new Qatar shrimp farm revealed

QATAR has unveiled plans to build a shrimp farm that could eventually become one of the largest in the world.

The multi-million dollar contract has gone to Texas based Global Blue Technologies, which specialises in the design and building of RAS systems, and to UAE systems integrators ITQAN.

The first phase of the project will include a hatchery and production modules to produce 3,000 tonnes of shrimp a year, as well as a Brood Stock Multiplication Centre (BMC) with the capacity to raise 300,000 broodstock.

The venture hopes to expand production to 100,000 tonnes over the next four or five years.

The deal ends a search for the technology and expertise to position the Middle East state (with a population of 2.6 million) as a global centre for aquaculture excellence.

It also underpins the growing importance of aquaculture to the region, as it bids to become more independent in food production.

Global Blue Technologies CEO Stephen White said: ‘All that we do is to show that an ethical better way exists for the benefit of people, the animals and the earth. We see Qatar as the perfect partner in this endeavour.’

ITQAN chairman Musallam Al-Nabit added: ‘Qatar insists on absolute fidelity to excellence in all we do. The long due diligence to determine the company and system that will best safeguard our nation’s land and water resources was time and effort well spent.

‘My pledge is that we will ensure every prawn our partnership produces will be the most exquisite the world will ever enjoy.’

The government of Qatar has spent the past 18 months vetting a dozen applicants for the contract.

Global Blue Technologies said it has spent nearly two decades perfecting its bio-secure, recirculating aquaculture system.