Artemia Cysts Are No Longer Permitted
in Animal Feeds in the USA

An Emerging Story That Begins with Howard Newman

Howard Newman is president and owner of Desert Lake Technologies, which harvests, processes and markets Aphanizmenon flos-aquae (AFA) algae and Daphnia from a freshwater lake in Oregon, USA.  Desert Lake also imports and exports Artemia cysts (brine shrimp eggs) and marine polychaetes, very important hatchery and broodstock feeds for farmed fish and shrimp in the USA and around the world.

Howard has a long history in the USA brine shrimp industry.  From 1970 to 1984, he owned and managed Artemia, Inc., which harvested Artemia from the Great Salt Lake in Utah and Shark Bay in Australia.  Artemia, Inc., also imported cysts from Brazil.  Next, from 1984 to 1990, he was vice president of San Francisco Bay Brands, the primary provider of Artemia to the reptile and tropical fish markets.  In 1990, when Bay Brands was purchased by INVE, currently a global supplier of shrimp hatchery feeds, he stayed with INVE for ten years.  Howard has probably been knee deep in more Artemia lakes than anyone in the world!  And he’s still finding new lakes to explore.

Email to Shrimp News from Howard Newman
on March 2, 2010

I am in the fight of my life with the Food and Drug Administration.  It has seized my Artemia shipments and informed me that they were not GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) and therefore cannot be used in aquaculture or the ornamental fish industry as larval feed!  FDA is already holding three of my shipments, and I have 20 metric tons of Artemia cysts arriving on March 4, 2010, that FDA plans to seize!

Who can we rally to get this nonsense stopped in a hurry?  I have attorneys who specialize in FDA issues, but I think this is going to grow bigger than Howard Newman and Desert Lake.

Four-Page Report

In a four-page report that accompanied the above email, Newman said:

On January 12, 2010, I had a shipment of Artemia cysts come to Klamath Falls, Oregon, from China for resale to Thailand.  ...Importing and exporting aquaculture products is something I have done for over 35 years.  There is a $70-$80-million dollar business out of the Great Salt Lake in Utah that has flourished since the early 1950s.  I started collecting cysts on the Great Salt Lake in 1965.

As the shipment of 200 cases of Artemia cysts entered the USA through the Port of Oakland, US Customs and the USDA Veterinary Service passed the shipment, but FDA put a hold on it.  I have the 200 cases in my warehouse in Klamath Falls, but there is still an FDA “HOLD” on them, and I cannot sell them.  I lost the sale to Thailand because I could not ship them in a timely manner.  When you are feeding shrimp and fish larvae you cannot have any hiccups in your food supply or you’re out of business so they had to purchase elsewhere.

I have begun my appeal to the FDA.  I have also called USDA APHIS Vets in Salem, Oregon, where we get our Health Certificates for export, and told them that the FDA had a hold on my shipment.  Their response was “What does FDA have to do with this?”  I told them I have never in 35 years of importing Artemia cysts and aquaculture products had FDA put a hold on any shipment!

In short, FDA told me that they refused entry because Artemia is an unapproved ingredient in aquaculture feeds.  Believe me the back and forth has been anything but simple.  FDA is a huge agency with tentacles reaching into all aspects of our lives.  Artemia cysts are the most important feed for larval shrimp and fish used throughout the USA and the world.  Aquaculture entities could not be successful without the use of Artemia cysts in the early stages of larval development.  FDA argued that it was now illegal to feed Artemia in the USA to food fish or tropical fish.  ...Also FDA provided no explanation as to why Artemia has been allowed entry for over 35 years and then suddenly stopped last month.

On February 26, 2010, after providing FDA with what I considered to be a fairly complete defense, I requested that they release my shipments.  Ms. Lau, a compliance officer, responded, “Is this your best argument?”  I was completely taken aback!  I thought we had supplied peer-reviewed documentation for the use of Artemia cysts in aquaculture and that this would finally get the FDA to look into what they were doing.  I also asked that Ms. Lau give me the name of her superior....

I intend to fight this injustice as far as my limited resources will take me, and I have hired a law firm that specializes in FDA matters to appeal my case.  I also plan to send this diatribe to TV and radio stations and to state and federal officials.

Email to Shrimp News from Howard Newman
on March 6, 2010

These guys are not going to go away.  This is not just a Desert Lake Technologies/Howard Newman problem; this is an industry problem!  Growers, hatcheries, suppliers—we are all in this and need to mount a defense that enlists the help of congressmen, senators, government officials and Artemia associations.  What are the fish food manufacturers going to do as they all utilize Artemia in their formulations?  What’s going to happen to Tetra, which sells $20 million worth of tropical fish feed in just the USA?  Will Tetra be required to pull all its fish foods out of Wal-Mart and every tropical fish store in the USA?

Information: Howard Newman, Desert Lake Technologies, Inc., P.O. Box 489, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 USA (phone 1-541-885-6947, fax 1-541-885-6951, emails bshrimp@aol.com and hwnewman@desertlake.com, webpage http://www.desertlake.com).

Artemia Cysts Are Not Permitted for Use
in Animal Feeds in the USA

Shrimp News: After talking with as many as six FDA officials at the World Aquaculture Society Meeting in San Diego, California, USA (March 2–5, 2010) and emailing or calling just as many in Washington, DC, USA, Laura Alvey, Department Director, Communications Staff, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, responded:

“In response to your inquiry, we can not comment or discuss with you the information re: the shrimp importer in the state of Oregon as this is an open case.”

“I can tell you that Artemia cysts are not permitted for use in animal feed, including ornamental fish food.”

“Artemia cysts, with or without the chorion removed, are neither GRAS, approved food additives, or subject to an AAFCO http://www.aafco.org ingredient definition.”

Information: Laura Alvey, Department Director, Communications Staff, CVM (email laura.alvey@fda.hhs.gov, phone 1-240-276-9119).

Sources: 1. Email to Shrimp News International from Howard Newman.  Subject: FDA Nightmare.  March 2, 2010.  2. How to Stifle Business Without Even Trying (a long letter from Howard Newman about his plight to establish a brine shrimp processing facility in Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA).  February 28, 2010.  3. Email to Shrimp News International from Howard Newman.  Subject: FYI.  March 6, 2010.  4. Email to Shrimp News International from Laura Alvey at the Center of Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration.  Subject: RE: From Shrimp News = Artemia.  March 4, 2010.  5. Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International, March 11, 2010.

Country Reports

Bangladesh

Dissatisfied with Inspection

The European Union Food and Veterinary Office team that inspected the country’s marine shrimp farming industry (feed mills, hatcheries, farms and processing plants) on January 18-28, 2010, expressed “dissatisfaction” over compliance on rules relating to quality control and the reliability of laboratory tests.  Press reports used the word “disqualification” when referring to the country’s monitoring system, skilled manpower and the continued use of antibiotics.

Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) Vice-President Maqsudur Rahman said that the EU team expressed “satisfaction” on the country’s adherence to the Fish and Animal Feed Law and Hatchery Act.  “The EU team said these laws would regulate fish and animal feed production, prevent contamination and deal with other compliance issues.  ...They are satisfied with the cultivation and processing of prawns.  ...They have suggested that validation and accreditation of labs should be faster.  ...The BCSIR Atomic Energy Commission will help and train up manpower for operating the labs.”

The EU team suggested that the feed mills and processing plants be brought under governmental regulation and that an awareness campaign on antibiotics be started at the farm level.  The team found some antibiotics at farms and hatcheries.

Source: Financial Express.  EU Food Team Unhappy over Quality Control, Lab Standard.  Sonia H. Moni.  February 21, 2010.

Canada

Money for Lobster Research

In Atlantic Canada, the lobster fishing industry employs about 50,000 people.

Lobster prices dipped to below $3 a pound last season, a 20-year low.

On February 18, 2010, Gail Shea, Federal Fisheries Minister, announced that the industry will get almost $2.2 million to develop new processing technology and new lobster products.  The federal government contributed $1.6 million, the province of Prince Edward Island contributed $500,000 and the PEI Atlantic Shrimp Corporation contributed $95,000.  The money will go to the PEI Seafood Processors Association to invest in:

• Four to six new lobster products.

• New processing techniques and equipment to help lower production costs and
increase labor productivity.

Previously, Shea reported that the industry would receive $417,000 to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy.

Source: CBC News.  Atlantic Lobster Industry Gets $2.2M to Innovate.  February 18, 2010.

Ecuador

Sixty Percent of Shrimp Farms Not in Compliance

Jose Centanaro, Subsecretariat of Aquaculture, says sixty percent of Ecuador’s 1,500 farms have not registered with the government.  “That number is very worrisome for us,” he said.  The farms must initiate the registration process by March 31, 2010.

The president of the National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA), Cesar Monge, is of the same opinion, adding that it’s the small farms that have not started the registration process.  Monge said the small farms can just not afford the registration process, especially the requirement for mangrove restoration, which requires trips to Guayaquil and tons of paperwork.

Since October 2008, when the government published Executive Decree 1391, requiring the registration of all shrimp farms, 35 farms have completed the process, and 600 farms have started the registration process.  Most of the farms are around the Gulf of Guayaquil, in El Oro and Guayas provinces, with the remainder scattered northward along the coast.

Centanaro said that the requirements would not be changed for the small farms.  “It is no longer worth discussing,” he said.

Source: FIS United States.  60 Pct of Coastal Shrimp Farmers Not in Compliance.  Analia Murias (editorial@fis.com).  February 17, 2010.

India

Giant Prawn Conference 2011

Giant Prawn 2011 (GP2011), a component of Asian Pacific Aquaculture 2011, a World Aquaculture Society event, will be held in Kochi, Kerala, India, on January 17–20, 2011.  Field trips to freshwater prawn farms are being planned for January 21–22, 2011.

The scientific program for Giant Prawn 2011 consists of a three-day invited paper session (January 18, 19 and 20, 2011), plus a one-day parallel session for unsolicited (contributed papers) on freshwater prawn farming (date to be announced later).  Many speakers for the main GP2011 session have already accepted our invitations.  These include:

Nesar Ahmed (Bangladesh)

Janet Brown (UK)

Michael Frinsko (USA)

Ilan Karplus (Israel)

Spencer Malecha (USA)

Peter Mather (Australia)

C. Mohanakumuran Nair (India)

M.C. Nandeesha (India)

Uthairat Na-Nacorn (Thailand)

Michael New (UK)

Nguyen Thanh Phuong (Vietnam)

K.R. Salin (India)

Amir Sagi (Israel)

James Tidwell (USA)

Wagner Valenti (Brazil)

Patricia Moraes-Valenti (Brazil)

Md. Abdul Wahab (Bangladesh)

Miao Weimin (China)

Discussions with several invited speakers are ongoing.  The topics to be presented in the invited session of GP2011 include biology, genetics, growout and hatchery rearing technology, health management, post-harvest handling, marketing and economics.

Information: Michael New, Giant Prawn 2011 (new.macrobrachium@yahoo.co.uk).

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from Michael New on February 24, 2010.

Indonesia

Total E&P Indonesie—Mangroves

Total E&P Indonesie, the first and largest gas producer in Indonesia, has operations in the Mahakam Delta in East Kalimantan—where mangrove areas have steadily been converted to shrimp farms that pay little attention to sustainable practices.  Total blew the whistle on the unsustainable practices of the shrimp farmers three years ago, but has not been able to do much to get them to change their practices.

Andi Renggana of Total E&P Indonesie said, “The large-scale conversions of mangrove areas to shrimp ponds began during the 1997 monetary crisis, and delta lands have been gradually plotted for use among locals through the years.  Educating and promoting sustainable farming in this ecologically sensitive area is all the more complex because such effort commands the concerns of three departments—Environment, Forestry, and Marine Affairs and Fisheries—simultaneously.”

Source: The Jakarta Post.  Total E&P: “Philanthropy Doesn’t Lead to Sustainability”.  Andrea Tejokusumo.  February 22, 2010.

Malaysia

Videos—Crab Enclosures

For three quick videos (about two minutes of total viewing time) of the hundreds of individual, box-like enclosures at a big crab farm in Malaysia, click on the three links below.  The videos show close-ups of the plumbing and enclosures.

1. http://www.video-alerts.com/video-watch/684?vid=I0yF-_MblWw

2. http://www.video-alerts.com/video-watch/684?vid=4WU_3kiyteE

3. http://www.video-alerts.com/video-watch/684?vid=QI3tQgAWVuk

Sources: YouTube.  1. Soft-Shell Crab Production—www.stac.com.my.  2. Crab Farming in a Racked Plastic Boxes—www.stac.com.my.  3. Marine Crab Farming in RAS Racked Boxes-www.stac.com.my.  February 12, 2110.

Middle East

Job—Hatchery Manager

A company in the Middle East has a hatchery manager position open for someone with a Bachelor’s Degree in biology, marine biology or similar field.

Requirements: Two years experience working with maturation and postlarvae at a commercial shrimp hatchery.  Must have a strong command of English—Arabic a plus.  Must relocate to and live at a farm in a remote location.  Company plans to take over a hatchery that has not been used, although it is fully equipped.  Must train local personnel.  Expected duration of contract: one year, with the possibility of renewal.  Salary: negotiable, include information on your expectations.

Closing Date: Monday, March 15, 2010.

Information: Pablo Fuentes (shrimpfarmmanagement@gmail.com).

Source: AquaNic (The Aquaculture Network Information Center, a gateway to the world’s electronic aquaculture resources).  Jobs Directory in cooperation with the WAS Employment Service.  Search jobs.  Shrimp Hatchery and Nursery Operator.  February 26, 2010.

Mexico

Sonora—2010 Stocking Begins

Shrimp farmers in the state of Sonora will begin stocking their ponds on March 20, 2010, and continue stocking through April 2010.

In 2009, 134 farms in Sonora stocked around 24,000 hectares and produced 81 thousand metric tons of farmed shrimp.  Diseases were only a minor problem in 2009.

In other news, experts at the Food and Development Research Centre (CIAD) demonstrated that the growth of shrimp can be stunted by exposure to heavy metals.  After two years of research, a team of CIAD scientists determined that the detoxifying protein in shrimp is reduced upon exposure to metals like copper and cadmium.

Source: FIS United States.  Farmed Shrimp Sowings to Commence in Sonora.  Analia Murias (editorial@fis.com).  February 23, 2010.

Scotland

Metabisulphite Replacement

John Davis, the managing director of Scotland-based XyRex, the manufacturer of sulphite-free “Prawnfresh”, used to treat blackspot on whole shrimp, says he is heartened by the number of processors who are now moving away from sodium metabisulphite to more modern and effective alternatives.

Shellfish processors have long used sodium metabisulphite as a treatment to prevent blackspot, a natural process that discolors the shell after capture.  Although blackspot is harmless, it does affect the appearance of the shrimp and lowers their selling price.

Sodium metabisulphite is corrosive and can cause serious and expensive damage to equipment in processing plants.  There is also well-documented evidence that it is hazardous to the health of processing plant workers because the sulphur dioxide fumes it releases can harm windpipes and lungs.

John Davis of XyRex says: “Research has shown that metabisulphite can cause asthma attacks and trigger allergic reactions in workers using the product.”

Donald Kristensen, managing director of seafood processor Royal Fish Denmark A/S, states: “All our employees used to have general breathing problems including irritated eyes and noses.  This is no longer an issue after changing to Prawnfresh.”

The quality improvements are important too.  He says: “Tests have shown that shrimp treated with Prawnfresh stay nicer in color, texture and odor longer than raw material treated with sodium metabisulphite.  We also feel this alternative treatment is a healthier additive for the consumer.”

XyRex Prawnfresh is a liquid solution designed to increase shelf life, while retaining the natural taste and appearance of shrimp, eliminating the need for sodium metabisulphite.  The active ingredient of Prawnfresh, E586, is approved for use across the European Union and the Nordic Economic Zone.

Information: John Davis, XyRex, Ltd., 65 Rodney Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom G4 9SQ (phone 0141-353-0000, fax 0141-353-0011, email john@xyrex.com, webpage http://www.xyrex.com).

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from Keith Broomfield (Catch PR, Ltd., phone 01259-742575 or 07890-781151) on February 23, 2010.

Thailand

Asian Aquaculture Network

The Asian Aquaculture Network (AAN) is a regional professional network that promotes sustainable aquaculture in Asia.  It aims to help farmers operate profitable, environmentally friendly farms.  Dr. Farshad Shishehchian, president and founder of AAN, is also editor in chief of the Network’s new quarterly magazine, Asian Aquaculture, The Practical.  The first issue of the magazine contains three articles on shrimp farming:

1. How to Prevent High Feed Conversion Ratios for Shrimp Farming (Chalor

Limsuwan, Ph.D., Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Thailand).

2. All Male Monosex Culture of Giant Freshwater Prawn (C. Mohanakumaran Hair,

Ph.D., and K.R. Salin, College of Fisheries, Kerala Agricultural University, India).

3. Tracking the Vibrio Threat in Shrimp Farming (Pedro Encarnação, Ph.D., Biomin

Laboratory, Singapore).

Information: Dr. Farshad Shishehchian, President and Founder, Asian Aquaculture Network (email info@asianaquaculturenetwork.com, website http://www.asianaquaculturenetwork.com).

Source: Asian Aquaculture, The Practical.  Editor in Chief, Dr. Farshad Shishehchian.  Volume 1, Number I, January–March 2010.

Thailand

Exporters Urged to Expand Markets

Somsak Panitatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association, says many of the world’s biggest shrimp farming countries are experiencing hard times.  He says Thai exporters should take this as a golden opportunity to quickly expand their markets.

Somsak said Indonesia is suffering from an outbreak of the infectious myonecrosis (IMN) disease that has caused shrimp production in the country to plunge by 40 per cent.

China has experienced very cold weather that has slowed the production of farmed shrimp.  In fact, China may have to import 1,000 metric tons a month from Thailand to meet its demand for shrimp.

Since the economic crisis has eased, Thailand is receiving more orders from the United States.

Given these factors, Somsak said shrimp prices will likely edge up in 2010.

Source: MCOT.net.  Shrimp Exporters Urged to Expand Markets Overseas.  February 18, 2010.

Turks and Caicos

Video—Red Lobster Farming

On January 20, 2010, a government advisory panel approved a project that will allow Red Lobster, part of the Darden Restaurant Group, to study the country’s potential for lobster farming over the next five years.  If Red Lobster decides the islands’ waters are suitable, it may set up the country’s first spiny lobster farm.  So far, Red Lobster has spent 18 months in Turks and Caicos conducting preliminary research on the island of South Caicos.  Its permit allows it to set up a small aquaculture nursery and to grow lobsters—after it does extensive research on local conditions.

For a minute-and-a-half video report on the project that includes pictures of spiny lobsters and additional background information on the project, click here.  In the video, Wesley Clerveaux, the island country’s Director of Environment and Coastal Resources, said, “Promotion of aquaculture is the desire of the department and the government; it’s a means of diversifying fisheries....  If built sustainably aquaculture could become the future of fishing in the world.”

Sources: 1. Turks and Caicos Weekly News.  Lobster Farming Research Given the Go Ahead.  Rebecca Bird.  February 12, 2010.  2. YouTube.  0223 Lobster Farming Main_1.f4v (2010-2-24).  February 24, 2010.

United States

Louisiana—Boiling Shrimp

According to a new study in the Journal of Food Science (published by the Institute of Food Technologists), scientists found that boiling shrimp for ten minutes may reduce the shrimp’s allergenic properties.

Food allergies, especially shellfish allergies, can lead to severe reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis.  Shellfish are the number one cause of food allergies in adults in the United States and are responsible for the majority of emergency department visits.  More than 1 in 50 Americans have been diagnosed with shellfish allergies, so they tend to avoid it at all costs.

Researchers from Jimei University in Fujian China and the USDA Agricultural Research Service in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, studied ground, freeze-dried shrimp extracts from both raw and boiled shrimp.  Their research showed that boiling shrimp may decrease the presence of antibodies that cause an allergic reaction.

Information: To receive a copy of the study, contact Jeannie Houchins at jhouchins@ift.org.

Source: Newswise.  Food Scientists Suggest That Boiling Shrimp May Reduce Shellfish Allergens.  February 16, 2010.

United States

Washington, DC—USA Shrimp Imports in 2009

In 2009, USA shrimp imports fell 2.5 percent from 2008, to 1.21 billion pounds, according to statistics released by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

In 2009, Thailand, for several consecutive years the No. 1 USA shrimp supplier, retained its title and increased its exports by 5.1 percent, to more than 424 million pounds.

Imports of breaded shrimp from China decreased by 4 percent to 44.8 million pounds in 2009. Imports of all Chinese shrimp products declined 8.4 percent to 97.1 million pounds.

Imports represent nearly 85 percent of the USA shrimp supply.

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  Editor Steven Hedlund (shedlune@divcom.com).  U.S. Shrimp Imports Fall 2.5 Percent.  February 17, 2010.

United States

Washington DC—USDA Reports on Shrimp Imports

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Services posts monthly reports on USA shrimp imports to its website.  You can download the reports as Excel or PDF files for the last five years.  Click on the following links to check them out:

U.S. Shrimp Imports, Volume by Selected Sources

U.S. Shrimp Imports, Value by Selected Sources

Source: USDA/Economic Research Service/Data Sets/Aquaculture.  U.S. Shrimp Imports, Volume by Selected Sources, and U.S. Shrimp Imports, Value by Selected Sources.  February 2010.

Vietnam

Organic Shrimp Farming

This paper discusses the advantages of organic tiger shrimp farming (Peneaus monodon) in Ca Mau Province—Vietnam’s leading shrimp producing province.

Data were collected from 47 shrimp hatcheries and 160 shrimp farms.  The survey showed that organic shrimp farms produced higher profits than nonorganic farms.  As expected, organic farms also had less impact on the environment.

Information: John Cooksey, World Aquaculture Conference Management, P.O. Box 2302, Valley Center, California 92082, USA (phone 1-760-751-5005, fax 1-760-751-5003, email worldaqua@aol.com, webpage https://www.was.org/Main/Default.asp).

Source: The Abstracts of Asia Pacific Aquaculture 2009 (on CD).  The Farming of Organic Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon in Camau Province, Vietnam.  Le Xuan Sinh (lxsinh@ctu.edu.vn) and Nguyen Trung Chanh (College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Cantho University, 3/2 Street, Cantho City, Vietnam.  Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia, November 2009.