Chinese Shrimp Transshipped Through Indonesia to the USA

John Sackton, Editor and Publisher of Seafood.com, Reports

From mid-October to mid-November 2008, the Los Angeles Customs District detained 30 containers of shrimp from Indonesia.  It used a new, unpublished test based on trace elements in the soil to determine the shrimp’s country of origin.  The test has been used on orange juice, but this is the first time it has been used on farmed shrimp.  According to Barbara Blakistone, director of scientific affairs at the National Fisheries Institute, the test consists of building a trace element database of each country’s agricultural products, and then comparing its exports with that database to see if they match.  Since Customs has not shared the protocol, there is no way to determine its reliability.  At this point, there is no independent review or verification of Customs’ trace element test.  Will a test that works on soil-based agricultural products also work on farmed shrimp?

Based on the new test, Customs concluded that the shrimp originated in China!  They were transshipped by some of Indonesia’s major shrimp exporters!

Three years ago there was a case involving allegations of transshipment of shrimp from China through Indonesia involving eight Indonesian exporters.  Some of the exporters were able to prove through documentation that shrimp was not transshipped, but in other cases importers ended up having to pay millions of dollars of duty since customs collected duty, as if the products were Chinese shrimp, which, in some cases, must pay tariffs exceeding 100%!

If Customs believes that shrimp from Indonesia is actually raised in China, it will first notify the importer of a potential action.  Then it will release the container.  As far as Customs is concerned, the issue is not one of product safety, but one of country of origin.  Finally, it will change its records to indicate the correct country of origin.

Unless this decision is overturned, importers will eventually owe the full duty amount, which, in some cases, could exceed the value of the shrimp.

According to sources who have spoken to Los Angeles Customs officers, the fact that some positive results have been obtained in the trace element tests means that Customs will be expanding the testing nationally!

Customs’ action adds obvious financial risk for importers and makes them much more likely to demand that exporters deliver duty-paid products so they (the importers) won’t have to be the importer of record.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance Responds to the Transshipment News

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), the organization of shrimp fishermen and processors from eight southeastern states that initiated the shrimp dumping case, reports:

The Southern Shrimp Alliance applauds the significant efforts undertaken by USA Customs and Border Protection to prevent evasion of USA trade and food safety laws by Chinese shrimp producers.

Transshipping allowed Chinese shrimp to avoid tariffs and enter the United States without scrutiny.

In October 2008, FDA reported that a shipment of shrimp exported from China, but labeled as a product of Indonesia, was refused entry because the shrimp was believed to be contaminated with banned veterinary drugs, including nitrofurans.

USA seafood importers have been unwilling or unable to address rampant circumvention of USA food safety and trade laws by Chinese shrimp producers.  Three years ago, Customs found that roughly $60 million worth of Chinese shrimp had entered the country falsely labeled as a product of Indonesia—with approximately 50% of the volume of that shrimp imported by members of the National Fisheries Institute (according to Customs).  USA import data suggests that transshipment of Chinese shrimp through Malaysia continues unabated.

“These schemes are only possible because our laws permit almost anyone to export shrimp products to the United States,” said John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.  “USA laws regulating the importation of shrimp, America’s most popular seafood, should mirror those in place for imports of meat, poultry and eggs.”

Information: Deborah Long, Southern Shrimp Alliance, Post Office Box 1577, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34688 USA (phone 727-934-5090, email deborah@cohesivecommunications.com, webpage http://www.shrimpalliance.com/).

Sources: 1. Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Customs crackdown on shrimp transshipments leads to detention of 30 containers from Indonesia.  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  November 14, 2008.  2. Email to Shrimp News International from Deborah Long.  Subject: CBP Actions Against Chinese Shrimp.  Customs Cracks Down on Illegally Labeled Chinese Shrimp Imports/SSA Grateful for Strong Enforcement of Trade and Food Safety Laws.  November 18, 2008.

Country Reports

Bangladesh

European Union May Ban Bangladeshi Farmed Shrimp

From January to November 2008, the European Union rejected 200 containers (4,000 metric tons!) of Bangladeshi shrimp, allegedly exported by unscrupulous traders in collusion with some dishonest fisheries officials.  The fisheries quality control laboratories in Chittagong and Khulna said the 200 containers of shrimp were rotten and contaminated—and that they should be destroyed—but the shrimp were still exported.

The EU has repeatedly asked Bangladesh to clean up its shrimp processing industry.  On November 11–19, 2008, a two-member EU delegation visited Bangladesh and found unhygienic processing plants and irregularities in documentation, regulations, traceability and laboratory test reports.  Some traders were using harmful chemicals to increase the weight of their products.

The Fisheries Department’s quality control laboratories in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna lack trained manpower, which has resulted in a gradual decline in the quality of shrimp exports.

The delegation asked the government to bring its processing practices up to international standards within a year—or it may face an export ban.

The United States, the European Union and Japan are the three major markets for Bangladesh’s frozen shrimp, with the EU accounting for 48 percent.

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  EU May Ban Bangladeshi Shrimp Imports.  November 22, 2008.

China

Exporters of Peeled Shrimp Get a Tax Break

On December 1, 2008, China removed a 13% export tariff on frozen peeled shrimp.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  China lowers exporters’ cost for peeled shrimp and crabmeat in bid to counter financial crisis.  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  November 19, 2008.

Colombia

Breeding for Disease Resistance in Penaeid Shrimp, a Review Article

Abstract: Shrimp have only recently been domesticated.  Breeding for resistance began in the mid 1990s.  Consequently, the principles and concepts behind shrimp breeding programs are based largely on work in the plant and animal kingdoms.  Shrimp farmers now stock ponds with shrimp selected for resistance to Taura virus with excellent results, whilst up to now, development of whitespot virus resistant shrimp has been an elusive goal.  The original Taura resistant populations were developed using simple mass selection techniques in Colombia.  In later generations, family-based selection was applied on populations that initially had survival rates of about 30%, with care taken to reduce inbreeding and loss of genetic variation.  This suggests that when the original populations have a reasonable level of resistance and straightforward, effective selection protocols exist, it is relatively simple to breed for resistance.  With catastrophic diseases, such as whitespot, which cause mortalities of 98% or more, the frequency of resistance is low, and it is suggested that for theoretical reasons single gene, rather than polygene resistance, is likely to develop.  The low frequency of resistance genes in breeding populations may cause genetic bottlenecks that will greatly reduce the genetic variation in the populations.  In order to maintain the genetic variation the genes from the small numbers of survivors should be introgressed into populations with broader genetic variability.  Furthermore, in order to minimize the probability of a breakdown in resistance, pyramiding of resistant genes on different loci would be advantageous.

Genetic variation in resistance may be encountered either in the initial base populations or may spontaneously arise due to mutations or new recombinants.  With extremely prolific species such as shrimp, millions of animals can readily be screened for survival and hence resistant mutants or recombinants may be identified.  Once genetic variation has been detected the most appropriate breeding methodology will depend on the nature of both the resistance and the disease or diseases that are of interest to the producers.

You can download a free PDF of this paper here.  The PDF contains hundreds of active links to other papers on resistance breeding in shrimp.

Source: Aquaculture.  Breeding for disease resistance of Penaeid shrimps.  James Cock (CENIACUA, Cra 9 B, No. 113-60, Bogotá, Colombia), Thomas Gitterle, Marcela Salazar and Morten Rye.  Volume 286, Issues 1-2, Pages 1-11, January 2009.

India

Growing Tiger Shrimp in Low-Salinity Ponds

Scientists at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) in Mumbai have successfully farmed tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in low-salinity water (10 parts per thousand salinity), in Haryana, a state in north central India.  V.K. Sharma, a CIFE scientist involved in the research, said, “This technology proves that shrimp can be commercially farmed in inland saline waters with cost-effective ionic management.”

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Indian scientists report growing tiger shrimp successfully in inland saline waters at 10 ppt.  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  November 20, 2008.

India

Center for Penaeus monodon Farming

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), headquartered in Hyderabad, is planning to establish a specific pathogen-free (SPF) shrimp (Penaeus monodon) multiplication center (hatchery) at Mulapolam village in the Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh.  The board has acquired 100 acres of private land for the center.  Hong Kong-based Moana Technologies is NFDB’s technical partner.

P. Krishnaiah, chief executive of NFDB, said, “The multiplication center will have a production capacity of three billion postlarvae a year to serve about 150,000 shrimp farmers across the country.”

In order to create awareness among shrimp farmers about the SPF seed produced by Moana Technologies, a jump-start program has been initiated with the approval of the central government.  Moana has so far supplied 1.65 million postlarvae to 13 farms in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.  The performance of the SPF seed in the farmers’ ponds is being evaluated by NFDB.

Vannamei News: Krishnaiah said the National Fisheries Development Board, in association with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), was establishing an aquatic animal quarantine facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for the regulated import of SPF P. vannamei (white shrimp) broodstock.  The establishment and operation of the project will be fully funded by NFDB from its $300 million budget for the next four years.  Production at the facility is expected to commence in May 2009.

Source: Business Standard.  Fisheries board to set up black tiger shrimp centre.  K. Rajani Kanth.  November 21, 2008.

Malaysia

• The Blue Archipelago Shrimp Farm

• Jobs

Blue Archipelago, a shrimp farm in the northwest state of Kedah, was established in 2007 by Khazanah Nasional, the strategic investment arm of the Government of Malaysia, to encourage the growth of shrimp farming in the state.  Blue Archipelago is rapidly expanding its operations and has plans for a hatchery, feed mill and a processing plant with a capacity of 1,500 tons a year.  The company aims to turn the farm into a fully integrated shrimp aquaculture complex by the end of 2009.

In September 2008, Blue Archipelago reported a successful first harvest at its 400-hectare black tiger shrimp farm in Ayer Hitam, Kedah.

Blue Archipelago’s also plans to develop “i-SHARP”, the world’s first integrated shrimp farming park on 1,000 hectares in the northeast state of Terengganu.  It will produce an estimated 5,000 tons of black tiger shrimp with annual revenues of more than $35 million.  It is expected to spin off more than 30 modern small-to-medium shrimp enterprises that will create more than 1,400 jobs in the state.

Dr. Shahridan Faiez, CEO of Blue Archipelago said, “We are currently looking for partners to help us shape and implement what will be a highly exciting shrimp R&D program.”

Jobs: Program Leader, Research and Development: A Masters or PhD in aquaculture, fisheries, livestock, natural resource management, organizational development, economics, engineering or relevant field with significant project management experience and strong leadership qualities.

Senior Aquaculturist (two positions): Applicants are required to have technical experience in the overall management and operations of shrimp farms (semi-intensive to intensive, earthen and plastic-lined ponds) to post-harvest handling for  both P. monodon and P.                                                                                                                        vannamei shrimp.  Experience required in processing IQF and block frozen shrimp, managing certification programs and setting up a shrimp hatchery.

Information: Post or email your full resume with personal details, qualifications, experiences and salary expectations to: Blue Archipelago Berhad, T3.9, KPMG Tower, 8 First Avenue, Pesiaran Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia (fax 603-7725-2050, email jobs@bluearchipelago.com).

Source: Aqua Culture AsiaPacific (Editor/Publisher, Zuridah Merican, email zuridah@aquaasiapac.com).  Leading the charge in Malaysia.  Volume 4, Number 6, Page 27 and 28.  November/December 2008.

United States

Arizona—How Big Is the Market for Shrimp Larvae Diets?

Andrew Ayers (a.ayers@algaebio.com), CEO of Algae Biosciences, Corp., asks: How big is the world market for shrimp larvae diets?  Is there some way that I could calculate the size of that market from readily available statistics?

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from Andrew Ayers on December 2, 2008.

United States

California—Wanted: Environmentally Responsible Shrimp

The Sea Change Investment Fund owns shares in several seafood companies.  To promote the market for sustainable seafood, Sea Change encourages those companies to use the most environmentally friendly seafood available.  Sea Change is currently looking for sources of sustainable, farmed, white shrimp!

Information: Matthew Elliott, Conservation Director, Sea Change Investment Fund, 423 Washington Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 USA (phone 1-415-421-4213, email matthew@seachangefund.com, webpage http://www.seachangefund.com).

Source: Email from Sea Change Investment Fund to Shrimp News International on November 24, 2008.

United States

Texas—Aero-Tube Video

Ben Williams, business development manager for aeration products at Colorite Plastics, a supplier of Aero-Tube™ aeration systems, says, check out this video.

It shows Aero-Tube’s airlift action creating a strong flow of water at a shrimp farm in Vietnam.

Information: Ben Williams, Business Development Manager, Aeration Products, Colorite Plastics, 5804 Van Winkle Lane, Austin, TX 78739 USA (phone 512-494-5155, email ben.williams@tekni-plex.com, webpage http://www.aero-tube.com).

Sources: 1. Email from Ben Williams to Shrimp News International on December 8, 2008.  2. Telephone conversation with Ben Williams on December 11, 2008.

United States

Utah—Wanted: People Who Are Allergic to Shrimp

University of Utah medical researchers need people who are allergic to shrimp for a study aimed at developing a vaccine that would reduce the allergenic reaction.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study is led by Gerald J. Gleich, M.D., research professor of dermatology and an allergy and immunology specialist at the Utah School of Medicine.  Gleich wants to determine if there is more than one type of sensitivity to shrimp and then test whether sensitivity to shrimp can be reduced by vaccinating subjects with small amounts of the shrimp proteins that causes the allergy.

Study participants will receive compensation.  If you are interested in participating in the study call 801-581-6465 for more information.

Source: Exduco.net.  People Allergic To Shrimp Sought For U of U Study Investigating Development of A Vaccine.  November 18, 2008.

United States

To Devein or Not to Devein

On his webpage, Epicurious (“Food News and Views from All Over”), James Oliver Cury, reports:

Every time I make a shrimp dish, I have to decide if I am going to devein the little guys myself or pay extra for the elite, pre-deveined critters.  Inevitably, I opt to do it myself, so I can save a little money.  I know it’s a time-consuming and slimy job, but someone’s got to do it, right?  Well, maybe!

Earlier this week, my wife and I received the scariest plate of crap-filled crustaceans I’ve ever seen from a Chinese delivery restaurant.  The hideous black lines running up the spine were unmistakably gross.  And they charged $15 for this!  Our first thought (beyond nausea) was: Did someone forget to clean them?  Then we wondered: Could it be a cultural thing?

Here are Cury’s arguments, pros and cons, on the deveining issue:

Pros: It’s the digestive system you’re seeing.  It looks unappetizing.  It’s poo-poo, basically.  It can add grittiness.

Cons: Many cultures eat the whole shrimp, head, eyes and all.  If cooked, it’s not dangerous or unhealthy.  Deveining is purely for aesthetics.  Don’t be such a wuss.

Cury says, So who’s right?  Send me your comments.

Fifteen people responded to his question.  About half of them were deveiners and about half nondeveiners.

Here are some of the responses:

Lauren Salkeld: I’m really grossed out by veins left in shrimp so I always devein.

Roswell: I think it’s MUST!  I will send a dish back if the shrimp aren’t deveined!

Rockie: Definitely in the deveining camp.  ...And it really matters not what it actually is.  It’s what you THINK that it is that makes eating it gross, no matter what you’ve been told that it actually might be.

Jmorri26: I NEVER devein!  I’m born and raised in New Orleans and have peeled/cooked/eaten more shrimp than I can remember, and I never devein them.  No one I know does.  Why waste the time?  I’ve never heard of anyone getting sick from “shrimp poop.”  We make stocks out of shrimp heads, and no one is grossed out by the brains/guts of the shrimp boiling into a tasty stock.

If you eat oysters, you just eat ‘em.  You never hear of anyone “depooping” oysters (and I have no idea how you would go about that!), but it’s all basically the same stuff.  Crawfish, same thing.  They have the line and no one I know cares.

I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing so much as if you’re more exposed to things like that, it doesn’t freak you out.  If you REALLY want to get freaked out by what you’re eating, eat a soft-shelled crab.  Now THAT’S scary.

Leighana: For me, deveining is absolutely not necessary.  We eat a lot of shrimp down here, and it’s just too time-consuming to worry about, particularly if you are making a gumbo and using the small guys.  Besides, after consuming anchovies whole, shrimp veins seem like child’s play!

Source: Epicurious. Deveining Shrimp: Imperative or Unnecessary?  James Oliver Cury.  November 21, 2008.

Vietnam

Do Antibiotics Harm Shrimp?

Abstract: In Vietnam, enrofloxacin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics on shrimp farms.  Although the European Union set a maximum residue limit (MRL) of 100 μg/kg for enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in edible tissues of aquatic animals for human consumption, only limited information is available on its potential deleterious effects on shrimp.

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of enrofloxacin on oxidative stress in the hepatopancreas and gills of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon).  Experiments were conducted under laboratory and field conditions.  In the field, the experiments were conducted in intensive and improved extensive ponds.  Shrimp (average weight of ten grams) were fed medicated feed containing four grams enrofloxacin/kg for seven days.  Enrofloxacin medication caused very small changes in oxidative stress status of the shrimp.  The culture system, however, had a significant impact.  The basal level of hepatopancreas lipid peroxidation (LPO) was higher in intensive than in improved extensive culture system, while glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was lower in the former system.  In addition, an elevated gill catalase (CAT) activity was observed in the shrimp sampled from intensive culture.

In conclusion, LPO, CAT and GST can be proposed as biomarkers to point out the general stress status of shrimp and to discriminate between shrimp cultivated in intensive and improved extensive culture systems.

Source: Aquaculture.  Oxidative stress response of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) to enrofloxacin and to culture system.  Huynh Thi Tua (httu@ctu.edu.vn, Unit of Research in Organismal Biology, The University of Namur, 61, rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium), Frédéric Silvestre, Amandine Bernarda, Caroline Douny, Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Chau Tai Tao, Guy Maghuin-Rogister and Patrick Kestemont.  Volume 285, Issues 1-4, Page 244, December 2008.

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