Locally farmed shrimp being gathered during the harvest at KISR’s sustainable aquaculture facility

KUWAIT CITY, July 10: The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) announced its success for the fourth consecutive year in producing and marketing locally farmed shrimp using advanced, environmentally friendly technologies. This marks a strategic step toward enhancing food security and achieving self-sufficiency, in line with the objectives of the ‘New Kuwait 2035’ vision. The announcement was made during the “Shrimp Harvest” event, organized by KISR on Thursday at the Kabd Research and Innovation Station, under the patronage of Acting Director General of KISR Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan. Head of the Sustainable Economic Shrimp Farm Project and Scientist Dr. Shireen Al-Subaie explained that KISR has achieved significant production growth this year. The weight of farmed shrimp reached 20 grams, with average production exceeding two kilograms per square meter, due to closed, intensive farming systems developed to withstand Kuwait’s harsh environmental conditions and low-salinity groundwater.

Locally farmed shrimp being gathered during the harvest at KISR’s sustainable aquaculture facility

This success was made possible through biofl oc technology, which recycles water without the need for antibiotics or chemicals, ensuring a safe and environmentally friendly product. KISR successfully adapted this technology to suit the unique characteristics of Kuwaiti groundwater, despite challenges posed by its unbalanced ionic composition. This year, the project experienced a significant milestone with the introduction of locally farmed shrimp to the Kuwaiti market for the first time. Dr. Al-Subaie described this as an encouraging step for the private sector to help reduce Kuwait’s heavy reliance on imported shrimp, which currently accounts for over 70 percent of the country’s shrimp consumption. She stressed that these promising results open the door to new investment opportunities and create jobs for Kuwaitis in aquaculture for supporting sustainable development goals and strengthening local food security. Dr. Al-Subaie also revealed that KISR has submitted a proposal to the government to establish an “economic fish farming complex” at the Ghadi Desert site, spanning 100,000 square meters, with an estimated annual production capacity of 1,200 tons of various fish species including sea bream, grouper, mullet, and shrimp, along with the production of feed and fish products.

By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff