Why the difference
This post shares a bit more information from this blog post where i have shared the difference between Main and Secondary line shrimps. After you have read this, you can continue to read the additional post here. One of the reasons for having this post is because i did a post in Facebook asking breeders to distinguish the difference between secondary and main line. The one on the left is secondary line and the one on the right is main line. There are a few characteristic differences visually however if i would make it more difficult by selecting only the good ones for the secondary line, the differences can be very small and almost impossible to tell visually. It was intended to leave the secondary line without selection if not it will be far too difficult to discern the difference. However, what i’m driving at is when we have a side by side comparison, we can then tell there are some difference. What happens if most of the time the shrimps are being selected to be sold without reference or guidance and most time without even telling you if they’re main or secondary line? This is a secondary line RSD Taking a step back and looking at a broader picture, if most of the shrimp sold are secondary line, wouldn’t that create ‘secondary’ line as a the benchmark for many since there isn’t widely available main line shrimps being sold or the prices are very high? Then wouldn’t that also means most of the shrimps sent for competition are secondary line? Is there anything wrong with secondary line? I think no but i believe we need to clearly set the standard where breeders are aware of secondary line vs main line and when everyone says a particular shrimp is the “Benchmark” doesn’t make it a “main line” The catch here is because far too many shrimps are being sold with unknown crosses diluting the genetic pool of what once was a stable line. For example the Red Stardust secondary line, the whole idea here is to massively produce to cater to the market at an acceptable price point. For Main line, they do not breed as readily as secondary line due to selective breeding.
What does it mean
To an untrained eye it is almost impossible to discern the difference, only when you experience it, breed them and see them would provide a rough idea of the minute difference.
When sending shrimps for competition, are they then mostly secondary line? Honestly it doesn’t matter because competition and contest is for show casing the work of the breeder. What should be taken into consideration is to use the outcome of a competition to then highlight that the shrimp is a main line, which then go against the grain of selective breeding. In other words, if a breeder is able to share if their line is main or secondary will be added value to other breeders.
Then the question is, how would one know if they have got secondary or main line shrimps? The long and short of it is it depends on the breeder they got from and traceability.
How do we go about this?
A prelude to what is coming in 2024, instead of looking at the shrimp to tell the difference, we would certify breeders who have the ability to share such knowledge and show case their work on main and secondary line as one of the many criterias of getting certified.
What this means?
Instead of certifying shrimps the way grading works, we will start having certification for breeders. This idea stems from the fish scene where there are many breeders who have attain Master Breeder status. However, for the shrimp side, there are no Governing body to actually certify this. In 2024, this will change and as we get nearer to the release of the certification process which we have already robustly define the scope and what it entails, Shrimp Sanctuary will start certifying breeders globally who meet the criteria. To make the criteria a pathway for breeders to attain and learn as they grow, it will take up to 10 years for any breeder to look forward. It provides a step by step approach to gain knowledge and experience. The criteria is not for the faint of heart and for breeders who want a guided path to walkthrough and experience it in a holistic manner.
Why do it?
This will help connect new breeders to gain knowledge from certified breeders, and as it stands the whole notion of building breeders up is then completed. The certified breeders will guide new breeders attain their next level and share information like how we share information widely here. The catch is it’s not an easy path to attain certification, it requires grit and determination not forgetting consistency and discipline. This will then setup a platform for breeders globally to have someone to turn to should there be a need. Today there are no differentiation or pathways to help breeders build credibility, and with the certification process helps to build credibility within the shrimp industry. It also helps breeders know where they stand in terms of shrimp breeding and helps position themselves in the industry. It increases integrity of the breeders globally to ensure more committed shrimp breeders stays within the hobby.
What in it for me?
There are multiple levels in the certification process, and each level attain will provide you with the needed skills and experience to go to the next level. Ultimately you drive the pace of certification, but a minimum 10 years to attain the highest level.
There will also be a certificate provided by us as it will be Globally recognised within the Shrimp industry.
Till then, we will keep refining it and release it in 2024.
