Suspicious Shrimp
Food and Water Watch (FWW), a nonprofit consumer rights organization based in Washington, DC, USA, that challenges the corporate control and abuse of the food supply and water resources, has published a free, 14-page, online report on the health risks of farmed shrimp.
Titled Suspicious Shrimp, the report can be viewed or downloaded at www.foodandwaterwatch.org. In the tabs across the top of FWW's Home Page, click on "Publications". Suspicious Shrimp will be the first report to appear. At the end of the short introduction, click on "Read More". A picture of the publication and a synopsis of it will appear. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Download This Document PDF File".
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Crowded Shrimp are Sick Shrimp
Shrimp on Drugs
Pesticides: Poisons on Your Plate
Filthy Transport: Shrimp with a Side of Cockroach
Production Problems: Environmental and Social Consequences
Conclusions
Appendix A: USA Shrimp Imports by Weight and Value in 2005
Appendix B: Antibiotics in Shrimp Aquaculture
Appendix C: Pesticides in Shrimp Farming
Executive Summary
"Whether dipped in cocktail sauce at a party, sizzling in butter at a tapas bar, or jazzing up a salad on a lunch break, shrimp has become the most popular seafood in the United States. The typical American eats three-and-a-half pounds of shrimp a year--surpassing even tuna.
However, as they savor these party treats, many consumers are not aware that a significant portion of shrimp consumed in the United States is not caught in the Gulf of Mexico--instead it is grown in man-made ponds containing a mix of ocean and fresh water along the coasts of Thailand, Vietnam, Ecuador and other tropical countries. These shrimp are often referred to as "farmed" and may be labeled "farm-raised," but in reality, they are industrially produced.
Suspicious Shrimp addresses the consumer health risks of eating industrially produced shrimp, which may include neurological damage from ingesting pesticides, an allergic response to penicillin residues or an infection from antibiotic-resistant pathogens, such as E. coli.
To produce large quantities for export, shrimp producers densely stock their ponds to produce as much as 89,000 pounds of shrimp per acre [Not true, but a good example of the naïve writing in this report.]. Although these facilities profit in the short-run, the water quickly becomes polluted with waste, and the shrimp are infected with disease and parasites. In response, many shrimp operations in Asia and South or Central America use large quantities of antibiotics, disinfectants and pesticides that are illegal for use in USA shrimp farms.
Exemptions to federal labeling laws mean that USA consumers often have no way of knowing where the shrimp they purchase was produced. Unfortunately, they also cannot count on the government to stop contaminated shrimp at the border. The USA Food and Drug Administration only inspects 1.2 percent of seafood that is imported into the United States, which means that large quantities of shrimp contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotics and pesticide residues are likely reaching consumers.
Suspicious Shrimp highlights the dangers of eating imported industrially produced shrimp and calls on consumers to ask questions about where their shrimp is from."
What We Do at Food and Water Watch
"Food: Sustainable and local; chemical free; humanely raised; family-farmed; clearly labeled--that's what we want. Factory farms for animals and fish; dangerous practices that lead to diseases like mad cow; and risky technologies like irradiation--that's what we are fighting to prevent.
Water: The right to water for people and nature; safe, affordable and publicly controlled; citizen participation; investment in infrastructure--that's what we want. Privatization of fresh water and ocean resources; pollution and depletion of water resources by agriculture and industry--that's what we are fighting to prevent.
In a Nutshell: We are working with grassroots organizations and other allies around the world to stop the corporate control of our food and water. We are committed to creating an economically and environmentally viable future."
Board of Directors: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/about/board-of-directors.
Andrianna Natsoulas (anatsoulas@fwwatch.org) is the campaign coordinator for the marine campaign at FWW. She focuses on both domestic fisheries policy and international trade issues. Previously, Andrianna worked at Greenpeace and the Marine Fish Conservation Network in Washington, D.C. She has a masters of science from the University of Warwick in England.
Information: Food and Water Watch, 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20036 (phone 202-797-6550, fax 202-797-6560, email foodandwater@fwwatch.org, webpage www.foodandwaterwatch.org).
Sources: Suspicious Shrimp (The Health Risks of Industrialized Shrimp Production). Food and Water Watch. January 19, 2006. 2. Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International, December 22, 2006.
Australia
Utah--Brine Shrimp
The 2006 harvest of Great Salt Lake Artemia eggs has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of 90%-hatch-rate eggs. World stocks of 90%-hatch Artemia are running out fast. This means that prices will rise and availability will be limited.
Aquasonic, a supplier of aquatic feeds and equipment, carries Salt Creek, Inc.'s Premium Grade 90%-Hatch Artemia. Salt Creek uses only premium grade brine shrimp eggs from the Great Salt Lake. Eggs are packaged in Nitro Pak bags, which protect the fatty acids and preserve the hatch rate.
For more information, visit www.saltcreekinc.com/products/premium.htm.
• 454-gram bags of Great Salt Lake 90% Artemia are $54, plus tax
• Cases containing 12, 454-gram bags of Great Salt Lake 90% Artemia are $575, plus tax
"Our bags contain 29 grams more than a standard can, 348 grams more if you are buying a case."
Information: Aquasonic, Pty., Ltd., 14 Commerce Street (P.O. Box 311), Wauchope, NSW Australia 2446 (email ashley@aquasonic.com.au, webpage www.aquasonic.com.au).
Source: FisheNews (an email supplement to Austasia Aquaculture magazine, www.austasiaaquaculture.com.au). Editor, Tim Walker (austasiaaquaculture@netspace.net.au). Product News/Do you use Artemia? December 18, 2006.
China
Whitespot's Dirty Tricks
"These findings show that WSSV is able to switch off or limit the expression of the host's immune-related genes to facilitate its own replication in the host."
Source: Genetic Computation Limited (free online summaries of aquaculture genetics research). Editor, Roger Doyle (gcl@genecomp.com). Hard-to-find papers. Does WSSV switch off a shrimp's immunity genes? (http://www.genecomp.com/December_2006.htm). Item No. 573, December 2006. Original Source: Marine Biotechnology. Discovery of the genes in response to White Spot Syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Fenneropenaeus chinensis through cDNA microarray. B. Wang, F. Li, B. Dong, X. Zhang, C. Zhang and J. Xiang (jhxiang@ms.qdio.ac). Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China. Volume 8, Number 5, October 2006.
Ecuador
Wanted Ponds
I would like to rent, lease or buy a shrimp farm with less than 100 hectares in either Guayas or El Oro Province, Ecuador.
"Busco camaronera para alquiler, leasing o compra. Area: Inferior a 100 hectareas. Zona: Preferencia por zona de Guayas y El Oro, Continente."
Information: Iván Alvarez Ortegón, SATMAC (email ivanfrere@yahoo.com.mx).
Source: The Shrimp List (a mailing list for shrimp farmers, "shrimp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com"). Subject: [shrimp] Busco camaronera. From: ivanfrere@yahoo.com.mx. December 18, 2006.
Indonesia
PT Dipasena Citra Darmaja
PT Dipasena Citra Darmaja, a huge shrimp farm on the southeast coast of Sumatra, says it will increase shrimp production to 137,000 tons by 2010, up significantly from 2006's estimated production of 13,000 tons. "With that level of output, Dipasena will regain its position as the world's largest shrimp producing company," said Rudyan Kopot, president of Dipasena. He estimated that Indonesia would produce 540,000 metric tons of shrimp by 2010. [In 1998, Shrimp News estimated that the production of farmed shrimp in the entire Eastern Hemisphere was 530,000 metric tons.]
Sources: 1. Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service). Indonesia's Dipasena Citra hopes to again be world's largest shrimp producer. Ken Coons. Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com). December 14, 2006. 2. Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International, December 22, 2006.
Indonesia
PT Dipasena Citra Darmaja
PT Recapital Advisor has agreed to provide credits totaling $288 million to PT Dipasena, which is owned by PT Perusahaan Pengelola Aset (PPA), a state-owned asset management company. So far Recapital has disbursed $70 million. But as the cost of revitalizing the farm increased, Recapital began to hold back on the funds. The president of Recapital said his company will provide the funds if Perusahaan Pengelola Aset provides a clear explanation of the costs. PT PPA has accused Recapital of failing to meet its commitment and says it may default on its loan.
Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service). Indonesia's Recapital ready to fund Dipasena expansion. Ken Coons. Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com). December 15, 2006.
Thailand
CPF Expanding into China and Malaysia
Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) expands its aquaculture business in China and Malaysia. According to Adirek Sripratak, president and chief executive officer, CPF plans to establish a new 100%-owned company, a $1.6 million shrimp hatchery in China called CP Aquaculture (Dongfang), Co., Ltd. It should be completed by the first quarter of 2007 and receive an additional $2.8 million in operating capital in the second quarter of 2007.
In Malaysia, through Star Feedmills, a 100%-owned CPF subsidiary acquired in 2005, CPF has purchased assets in the Malaysian fish feed market from Charoen Pokphand Jaya Farm for $370,000.
Mr. Adirek recently announced that CPF would lower its investment in Thailand over the next three years to shift its focus to offshore expansion, aiming to counteract local currency volatility and growing trade barriers against the Thai meat trade.
In 2004, CPF invested $3 million to set up its aquaculture project in China and injected more than $8 million in aquaculture projects in Malaysia and India and almost $9 million to buy a cold-storage facility in the United Kingdom.
Source: The Bangkok Post. CPF expands aquaculture arm in China/Further investment planned for Malaysia (http://archives.mybangkokpost.com/bkkarchives/frontstore). Charoen Kittikanya. December 21, 2006.
Thailand
Meetings and Workshops
"Biology and Pathobiology in the Penaeid Shrimp", a two-week intensive training course organized by Centex Shrimp and the Shrimp Biotechnology Business Unit at Mahidol University, will take place in Bangkok from April 15 to 27, 2007.
Designed for postgraduate students, researchers and others who might be interested, it will be conducted in English with lecturers from Thai Universities and institutes engaged in research on the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Morning lectures will be followed by practical sessions in the afternoon. A field trip to a shrimp hatchery and a shrimp farm has been scheduled. The lectures cover the life cycle, anatomy, physiology and immunology of the black tiger shrimp, including information on the nature and diagnosis of all its major pathogens. The practical sessions focus on shrimp anatomy and on techniques for disease monitoring and diagnosis, ranging from gross observation to light and transmission electron microscopy and advanced molecular biology techniques, including the use of monoclonal antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.
The full course is opened to 30 people, but others can register for the lectures only (half-day).
Lecture topics:
1. Life cycle of penaeid shrimp
2. The anatomy and histology of normal shrimp
3. The shrimp's digestive system and nutrition
4. Male and female reproductive systems
5. Maturation and larval rearing
6. The development of domesticated, specific pathogen free (SPF) stocks
7. The circulatory system and hemolymph
8. Shrimp defense mechanisms against bacterial and fungal invaders
9. The shrimp response to viral pathogens
10. General introduction to shrimp diseases and the significance of gross signs
11. Diagnosis and control of bacterial diseases
12. Diagnosis and control of fungal and parasitic diseases
13. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by parvoviruses I
14. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by parvoviruses II
15. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by baculoviruses
16. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by whitespot syndrome virus I
17. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by white pot syndrome virus II
18. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by yellowhead virus I
19. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by Taura syndrome virus
20. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by other viruses
21. Diagnosis and control of diseases caused by bacteriophages
22. Noninfectious diseases
23. Use of immunochemistry in disease diagnosis and research
24. Use of PCR, RT-PCR and nucleic acid hybridization in disease diagnosis and research
25. Use of cell culture techniques in shrimp research
26. Diagnostic limitations due to sampling errors and diagnostic sensitivity
27. Shrimp health: common disease and management
28. Epidemiology and investigation of disease outbreaks in shrimp culture
Laboratory sessions:
1. Histopathology of major diseases
2. Nondestructive and destructive primary laboratory techniques
3. Bacterial isolation and identification
4. PCR detection of bacterial infection
5. Immunohistochemistry
6. In situ DNA hybridization
7. Nested PCR detection of WSSV
8. PCR detection of IHHNV
9. RT-PCR detection of TSV
10. Measurement of hemolymph parameters
Registration: First come, first served, closes on March 16, 2007. For registration forms, contact: office@shrimpbiotec.com.
Information: International Training Course Biology and Pathobiology of the Penaeid Shrimp, Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (CENTEX SHRIMP), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Chalermprakiat Building, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (phone 66-2201-5870, fax 66-2247-7051).
Source: Email from Philippe Tacon (ptacon@shrimpbiotec.com) to Shrimp News International on December 13, 2006.
Norway
Shrimp Shells for Osteoarthritis
Navamedic is a Norwegian specialty pharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and production of glucosamine HC1 (hydrochloride), a generic active ingredient that relieves pain and improves function in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, a chronic disease which affects a large and growing share of the world's population. Glucosamine has a favorable safety profile.
In May 2006, Navamedic, a 100 percent owned subsidiary of ChitiNor AS, which produces glucosamine from shrimp shells, received notice from Innovasjon Norge (Innovation Norway) that it would receive a grant of $332,000 and loans of $332,000 to establish a chitin production facility in Senjahopen, Norway. Navamedic has entered into an agreement with the Nergård Group to build the facility adjacent to Nergård's shrimp peeling facilities in Senjahopen. Chitin from shrimp shells is the starting material for glucosamine, which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a Navamedic product that was approved for medical treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms in 20 European countries in January 2006.
In September 2006, the European Union Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended approval of the product across 25 countries. In December 2006, the EU Commission issued final approval of Navamedic ASA's Glucomed/Flexove product for symptom relief in osteoarthritis.
The active substance in Glucomed/Flexove (product name "Glucomed") is glucosamine HCl, derived from shrimp shells. Navamedic has already entered into marketing and distribution agreements with 12 partners covering 22 countries. Glucomed is already on the market in Sweden and Iceland.
Information: Øyvind Brekke, CEO, Navamedic ASA, Vollsveien 13 C, P.O. Box 438, N-1327 Lysaker, Norway (phone 47-67-11-25-40, email firma@navamedic.com, webpage www.navamedic.com).
Sources: 1. WebWire. Innovasjon Norge grants support to chitin factory/Navamedic ASA (http://webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?SESSIONID=&aId=13997). May 11, 2006. 2. WebWire. Glucomed/Flexove approved by EU/Navamedic ASA (http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=25120). December 14, 2006.
Pakistan
Joint Project with the USA
Islamabad...Fifteen science and technology projects have been approved under the Higher Education Commission's Pak-USA Joint Academic and Research Program, a program that is being implemented on the USA side by the National Academy of Sciences. It is intended to increase cooperation between researchers in the two countries in the fields of science, technology and social sciences. One of the approved projects involves the development of biosecure, sustainable and cost-effective farming methods for shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) in Pakistan and the production of virus-free broodstock populations of brown shrimp (P. aztecus) for live bait in the United States.
Source: Daily Times. Pak-US research venture approves 15 projects (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C12%5C17%5Cstory_17-12-2006_pg11_3). December 17, 2006.
Thailand/Australia
Exports/Imports
Bangkok...According to Thira Sutabutra, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Thailand will set up a special screening team to deal with shrimp exports to Australia.
Thira said Australia recently released a draft import risk analysis paper that contains sanitary requirements that could stop Thai shrimp exports to Australia. To clear up any problems, Thailand will set up an ad hoc working committee to prepare information on Thai shrimp farming standards and submit it to Biosecurity Australia by Feb 21, 2007. Thira said the ministry would then invite Australian officials to Thailand to inspect shrimp farming facilities.
Thai Fisheries Department deputy director general Niwat Sutemechaikul said Australia requires certificates to guarantee that Thailand's shrimp products are free from marine diseases. He said that the department's laboratories in all coastal provinces could conduct tests that meet international standards and issue certificates for the shrimp producers. Only one percent of Thai shrimp exported to Australia have previously been found contaminated, he said, which is a very small portion compared to shrimp products from other countries.
Thai shrimp exporters said Australia's proposed measures included a requirement to have shrimp heated to a temperature that would make them decompose.
Sources: 1. MCOT News. Thailand ensures disease-free Thai shrimp exports (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=26601). December 15, 2006. 2. The Nation. Task force on shrimp issues (http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/16/business/business_30021693.php). December 16, 2006.
United States
Organic Shrimp Feeds
Abstract: "Reduction or elimination of fish meal and fish oil from aquaculture diets can help to reduce the potential for contamination and dependence of the industry on pelagic fisheries while improving economic competitiveness. However, fish oil provides important omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FAs) essential to shrimp health and beneficial to humans. This study evaluated an organic, plant-based diet formulated to replace fish meal and fish oil with plant proteins and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) produced by algal fermentation. Shrimp cultured in replicate outdoor ponds at 25/m2 were fed either a diet composed of organically produced plant ingredients or a conventional commercial fish-meal-based feed. No significant differences were found in production parameters between the conventional fish-meal-based diet and the plant-based diet (production: 4,594 and 4,592 kg/ha; harvest size: 18.7 and 19.2 grams; survival: 93 and 88%; and feed conversion ratio: 1.4 and 1.3, respectively).
At harvest, shrimp were analyzed for 147 chemical contaminants and 71 FAs. Contaminant levels were negligible for shrimp raised on both diets. The fish meal and fish oil diet provided significantly higher quantities of eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA than the plant-based diet, and the shrimp fed the conventional diet reflected this with higher levels of these beneficial FAs in edible tissues. Differences between feeds and shrimp tissues suggest that essential n-3 FAs may accumulate in shrimp tissues over time or that natural pond productivity may play a role in providing supplemental nutrition. Shrimp raised on the two diets and wild-caught shrimp are clearly distinguishable by their FA profiles. Compared to alternative protein sources like beef, pork or chicken, differences in lipid profiles of shrimp raised on either diet may be insignificant because both offer increased human health benefits."
Source: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. Comparison of Pond Production Efficiency, Fatty Acid Profiles, and Contaminants in Litopenaeus vannamei Fed Organic Plant-based and Fishmeal-based Diets. Craig Browdy (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412 USA); Gloria Seaborn (Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, 219 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412 USA); Heidi Atwood (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Waddell Mariculture Center, P.0. Box 809, Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 USA); D. Allen Davis (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 USA); Robert A. Bullis (Advanced BioNutrition Corporation, 6430 Dobbin Road, Suite C, Columbia, Maryland 21045 USA); Tzachi M. Samocha (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, 4301 Waldron Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 USA); Ed Wirth (Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412 USA); and John W. Leffler (correspondence, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412 USA). Volume 37, Number 4, December, 2006.
United States
Washington, DC--Bonds Unfair
In a preliminary decision, the USA Court of International Trade (CIT) has ruled that the bonding requirements imposed on shrimp importers by USA Customs are against the law, saying they were not fairly applied and impose an excessive burden on international trade. The decision was based on a plea by the National Fisheries Institute, a seafood association. A final decision on whether the USA Customs's actions were "arbitrary and capricious" will come sometime in 2007.
Source: The Financial Express. Commodities/US court rules shrimp bonds unfair (http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=148865). Ajayan. December 14, 2006.
Vietnam
Apologizes to Japan over Antibiotic Issue
Vietnam's National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate has sent a letter to the Japanese Food and Drug Administration Bureau apologizing for shipping shrimp to Japan with antibiotic residues.
The letter cited three causes for the residues:
Some Vietnamese processors did not check for antibiotics.
Some shrimp was purchased from farms in remote areas where the control of chemicals was not enforced.
Some processing plant workers put a barrier cream on their hands that contains chloramphenicol.
Source: Thanhniennews.com. Vietnam apologizes for contaminated shrimp exports to Japan (http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=23222). Tuoi Tre, SGGP (Translated by Tuong Nhi). December 14, 2006.
