, Jan. 15 -- The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Thursday suspended all new and existing approvals for importing shrimp fry for Vannamei farming, citing risks of disease transmission and environmental pollution linked to the exotic species.

In a media release issued in the afternoon, the ministry said the decision was taken following a high-level meeting held on January 7, chaired by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, to review the environmental, social and economic impacts of Vannamei shrimp farming in Bangladesh and determine future actions.

The meeting noted that Vannamei shrimp is an import-dependent species and that the import of its fry poses risks of disease outbreaks, environmental degradation, and adverse imp...