Free News May 25, 2007

On May 18, 2007, I chatted with Brian Goldstein, chief executive officer of Kona Bay Marine Resources, a Penaeus vannamei broodstock producer on the island of Hawaii. We talked about Kona Bay's merger with Sunrise Capital, Inc.

Sunrise Capital purchased Ceatech's assets in 2005 for around $400,000. Those assets included a shrimp farm, a shrimp hatchery, a processing plant and 430 acres of land, all on the island of Kauai.

Goldstein said:

We merged Kona Bay with Sunrise Capital in June 2006. We are continuing to do business as Kona Bay and now have broodstock production capabilities at SPF facilities on two islands. At our Kauai farm we plan to culture something other than white shrimp. It is challenge to grow white shrimp profitably in Hawaii, so we have other plans for that facility.

Kona Bay has the broadest and most diverse line of Penaeus vannamei broodstock in the world. We have the top performing families of broodstock from Oceanic Institute's Taura-resistant program. We also purchased all of SyAqua's breeding lines. Kona Bay is the only USA broodstock company to get all of SyAqua's shrimp lines, including families from the USA government funded high-density Aquaculture Technology Program (BioZEST) project. We received them several months ago from SyAqua's facility in Kentucky, and the families are being integrated into our breeding program now. In addition, we are in the process of bringing in new lines of broodstock from Mexico. We're very active in Asia and in the process of negotiating some very robust business relationships there. We have been quietly putting all of this together over the past two years.

Information: Brian Goldstein, CEO, Kona Bay Marine Resources, 3465 Waialae Ave, Suite 240, Honolulu, HI 96816 USA (phone 877-526-2746, fax 808-356-0203, email brian@konabaymarine.com, webpage http://www.konabaymarine.com/contactus.html).

Source: Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International. Telephone conversation with Brian Goldstein on May 18, 2007.

Country Reports

Australia
Rock Lobster Farming Conference

On August 16 and 17, 2007, the Queensland Rock Lobster Association in partnership with Australia's Fisheries Research and Development Corporation will host the Fifth Rock Lobster Congress in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It will cover enhancement, aquaculture and marketing.

Information: James Fogarty (phone 07-403-12345, fax 07-403-12346, email james.fogarty@tropicalrockobster.com.au).

Source: Fisheries R&D News (Australian Government, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation). Announcement/Growing the Future. Volume 15, Number 1, Page 44, March 2007.

Bangladesh
Global Warming Transforms Country into a Giant Shrimp Farm

As sea levels rise, salt in the groundwater is slowly transforming Bangladesh into a vast shrimp farm. Gradually rising sea levels are forcing saltwater from the Bay of Bengal into the lowland, delta region of southwestern Bangladesh. As saltwater creeps relentlessly north, it seeps into the groundwater, contaminating drinking water and fields. "Global warming is already a reality here," says Mohon Mondal, a local environmentalist. "We can taste the sea salt even though we are far from the coast."

Source: Spiegel Online International. Struggling to Adapt in Bangladesh/The Salty Taste of Global Warming (http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,480847,00.html). Matthias Gebauer. May 3, 2007.

Ecuador
Exposure to IHHNV and WSSV Reduces Mortality

Abstract: In this study, pre-exposure to either infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) or inactivated whitespot virus (WSSV) resulted in slower WSSV replication and delayed mortality in test animals (Penaeus vannamei). This suggests a protective role for IHHN as an interfering virus. The protection obtained from inactivated WSSV might result from a nonspecific antiviral immune response.

P. vannamei larvae and postlarvae were challenged with IHHNV or formalin-inactivated WSSV. Survival rate and viral load were evaluated after a secondary challenge with WSSV at postlarval stage 45 (PL-45). Only shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL-35 or with IHHNV infection at nauplius-5 (N-5), zoea-1 (Z-1) and PL-22 were alive (4.7% and 4.0%, respectively) at 10 days post-infection. At 9 days post-infection, there was 100% mortality in all remaining treatments, while there was 94% mortality in shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL-35 and 95% mortality in shrimp previously treated with IHHNV at N-5, Z-1 and PL-22. Based on viral genome copy quantification by real-time PCR, surviving shrimp previously challenged with IHHNV at PL-22 contained the lowest load of WSSV. In addition, surviving shrimp previously exposed to inactivated WSSV at PL-35 also contained few whitespot virons.

Source: Electronical Larviculture Newsletter. Pre-Exposure to Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus or to Inactivated White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Confers Protection against WSSV in Penaeus Vannamei (Boone) Postlarvae. J. Melena, B. Bayot, I. Betancourt, Y. Amano, F. Panchana, V. Alday, J. Calderón, S. Stern, P. Roch and J.R. Bonami (Fundación CENAIM-ESPOL, Guayaquil, Ecuador, email bonami@univ-montp2.fr). Issue Number 253, November 1, 2006.

India
Shrimp and Prawn Hatcheries

Source: Press Information Bureau for the Government of India. Prawn Hatcheries (http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=27809). Shri Taslimuddin. May 14, 2007.

India
Gujarat

In late May 2007, shrimp farmers in south Gujarat (a coastal state in northwest India) expect to harvest 3,500 tons of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). With three big seafood export houses in Mumbai [Bombay] bidding for the crop at around $6.40 a kilo, the shrimp farmers could earn over $2 million. The exporters hope to sell the crop for $3.5 million.

The Surat Aquaculture Farmers Association, which promotes aquaculture in the Surat District of Gujarat, reports that 200 new shrimp ponds were built in 2006–2007. Over the next two years, shrimp farmers in the Junagadh District are contemplating setting up 500 hectares of shrimp ponds capable of producing 2,000 metric tons of tiger shrimp a year.

Source: The Economic Times. Shrimps get ready for overseas trip (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Commodities/Shrimps_get_ready_for_overseas_trip/articleshow/2036216.cms). Shramana Ganguly. May 12, 2007.

Malaysia
Job

At its farm in East Malaysia (north coast of Borneo), the Global Satria Group Company farms three species of shrimp and two species of fish. It has an 18-month internship open for someone with a B.Sc. or M.Sc. in aquaculture, marine biology or biotechnology.

Salary: $441 [a month?] with free housing.

Closing Date: May 29, 2007.

Qualifications: Female preferred, with ability to drive and communicate in spoken and written English. Third world experience, an advantage. Molecular biology experience, a great advantage. Aquaculture work experience, not necessary.

Description: Over 20 scientists work within the company in a multiethnic culture of Malaysians, French, British, Filipino and Indonesian staff. The Company operates 15 farms, 7 hatcheries, 1 biotechnology research and diagnostics lab, and a seafood processing plant. The job is to be the Personal Assistant (Intern) to the Chief Technology Officer who oversees the entire Aquaculture and Biotechnology operations. Potential applicants must be willing to work long hours in conditions ranging from office to laboratory to farm and if necessary underwater. The internship could lead to a management position after 18 months.

Applicants: Forward a PDF with a detailed CV and picture to: Huan Ung (+60198615377, email huanung@yahoo.com, webpage http://www.globalsatria.com).

Source: AquaNic (The Aquaculture Network Information Center, a gateway to the world's electronic aquaculture resources, http://aquanic.org/index.htm). Jobs Directory (http://www.aquanic.org/Text/job_serv.htm)/In cooperation with the WAS Employment Service. Search jobs (http://aquanic.org/jobs/search.asp). Personal Assistant to Chief Technology Officer (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=2417). Posted May 5, 2007.

Mexico
Problems at PL-1

Hi, I am Jaime Malagamba (jjmalagamba@yahoo.com.mx), I have a hatchery in La Paz, BCS, Mexico, and work at another hatchery in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, where we are having problems with mysis-3 molts. The tail muscle turns pale, and the larvae die during molting. Normally, our survival rate to PL-12 is 50 to 55%, but with this problem, it is about 25%. The larvae that survive look good and perform well in ponds. Sometimes we have the same problem at PL-4 and PL-8. We have tried everything, but nothing seems to work. Can someone out there help me?

Jaime Baquerizo responded (baquerizojaime@yahoo.com): Molt problems normally are due to:

1. Water quality
2. Poor nutrition or an unbalanced diet
3. Vibrio

I have experienced similar problems and resolved them by lowering the salinity during the Z-2 to PL-1 period, changing my probiotic, and feeding dry or liquid diets from Z-1 onward. To avoid molt problems related to water hardness, adjust your EDTA levels to your local water source.

Source: The Shrimp List (a mailing list for shrimp farmers, "shrimp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com"). Subject: Re: [shrimp] Problem with the molt in mysis III-PL stages. From Jaime Malagamba. May 12, 2007. From Jaime Baquerizo. May 14, 2007.

Philippines
One Billion Dollars in Vannamei Exports Forecast

At the opening of the Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) in Dagupan City, House Speaker Jose De Venecia said a potential $1 billion in export earnings and more than one million jobs might be generated from the recent introduction of Western white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in the Philippines. He said AFA is 95 percent finished and could start operation in July or August 2007. It will train students from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in white shrimp farming, who will then train farmers.

De Venecia said white shrimp could be polycultured with milkfish in some 250,000 hectares of fishponds across the country. He said white shrimp could boost the farmers' annual income of $639–$1,066 from milkfish production to $6,396–$10,660 from shrimp/milkfish polyculture.

For the past 18 months, Joseph Huang and C.J. Huang of Chen Chin Aquaculture, a Chinese company, hav been conducting successful experiments in Pangasinan, Mindanao and the Visayas on white shrimp farming.

The President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, endorsed white shrimp farming during a recent visit to Dagupan City.

Source: Bayanihan. Agriculture/White shrimp revolution seen to generate $1B export sales, create 1M jobs (http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070510102821990). May 10, 2007.

Saudi Arabia
Job

Coral Reefs Trading Establishment Company, the main aquaculture, livestock and feed mill service company in Saudi Arabia, has a job opening for a specialist in fish and shrimp aquaculture.

Salary: Negotiable.
Closing Date: September 25, 2007.

Information: Applicants should send their CVs to General Manager (phone 00966 14559870, email info@coralreef.com.sa).

Sources: 1. AquaNic (The Aquaculture Network Information Center, a gateway to the world's electronic aquaculture resources, http://aquanic.org/index.htm). Jobs Directory (http://www.aquanic.org/Text/job_serv.htm)/In cooperation with the WAS Employment Service. Search jobs (http://aquanic.org/jobs/search.asp). Aquaculture Pathologist (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=2419). Posted May 7, 2007. 2. Coral Reefs Trading Establishment Company Webpage (http://www.coralreef.com.sa) on May 16, 2007.

South Africa
SeaArk

Every Friday morning, AM Live's radio anchor Tsepiso Makwetla speaks to Martin Creamer, editor/publisher of Engineering News and Mining Weekly. Here is part of one of their conversations.

Tsepiso Makwetla: A $600 million shrimp farming project is due for rollout over the next six years at the Coega Industrial Development Zone near Port Elizabeth. Tell us about it.

Martin Creamer: The Coega Development Corporation is developing the project, but some environmental hiccups have slowed it down. There are two big players: SeaArk from the USA and South African Bosasa, which is a black economically empowered company. A pilot farm has already been set up. Shrimp seedstock will be shipped from the Bahamas for growout in South Africa. When completed, the project might employ 4,500 people.

Source: Engineering News Online. On-The-Air (http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=108803). Martin Creamer. May 11, 2007.

United States
Arizona--Inactivate Whitespot with UV

Several studies on the inactivation of whitespot syndrome virus (WSSV) by ultraviolet (UV) light have been conducted by exposing infected tissue or virus solutions to UV light.

In this study, SPF Penaeus vannamei (2.5-gram, average weight) were acclimated to 25 parts per thousand salinity. Once acclimated, they were distributed in four pairs of tanks with 25 animals in each tank. Each pair of tanks had an infected tank and a non-infected tank. Water effluent from the infected tank was pumped to the noninfected tank and then returned to the infected tank by gravity. Two pairs of tanks had UV lights to irradiate the water effluent before being passed to the noninfected tank. The other two pairs of tanks (control group) had no UV lights. Moribund and dead shrimp were collected and frozen to determine if they were infected with WSSV by using PCR. After five weeks, the tanks with water infected with WSSV and treated with UV did not have any mortality. The tanks exposed to water infected and not treated with UV resulted in infected and dead shrimp. This study demonstrates that it is possible to eliminate the viral infectivity of WSSV by treating the water with UV. Further studies on flow rate and UV exposure time will be done to determine the UV lethal doses required to inactivate WSSV.

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

Source: World Aquaculture Society. The CD of the Aqua 2007 Abstracts (San Antonio, Texas, USA, February/March 2007). Susceptibility of the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) to Ultraviolet (UV) Light in a Recirculation System Type Raceway. Pablo González-Alanis (pabloglz@email.arizona.edu), Mario Hernández-Acosta, Enue E. Sicairos-Ruelas, Abundio González-González, Francisco M. Guzmán-Sáenz, Donald V. Lightner and Kevin M. Fitzsimmons (Environmental Research Laboratory. The University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85706 USA).

United States
Arizona--Virus Update

At the 8th International Shrimp Culture Symposium and Trade Show (León, Nicaragua, May 2007). Dr. Donald Lightner reported that a new genetic variant of the Taura syndrome virus (TSV) appeared in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, in early 2005. It resulted in the loss of about 90% of the P. vannamei then in production.

In addition to the emergence of new strains of TSV in the Americas, two other interesting viral diseases of P. vannamei have emerged. The first of these was initially recognized in 2002 in Brazil, where it was characterized by elevated mortality rates and opacity of the musculature of the abdomen and of the gnathothorax. Based on gross signs and the histopathology of lesions in affected shrimp, the disease was initially named idiopathic myonecrosis, or IMN. With the confirmation of a viral etiology, the disease was renamed infectious myonecrosis and its etiological agent was named IMNV.

Shrimp with gross signs suggestive of IMNV have been reported from a number of locations that are geographically removed from Brazil, but there has been only one well-documented epizootic event due to IMNV outside of Brazil. It occurred in 2006 in P. vannamei being cultured in Indonesia, with IMNV apparently having been introduced there with broodstock imported from Brazil.

Subsequent to the outbreak of IMNV in Brazil, farmed P. vannamei from Belize showed similar gross signs to those caused by IMNV. While the shrimp from Belize showed histopathological lesions (progressive myonecrosis and the formation of lymphoid organ spheroids) that were similar to those shown by shrimp from Brazil with IMNV infections, ISH assays with a specific IMNV probe and RT-PCR assays with specific primers for IMNV gave negative results, indicating that the disease in Belize was not due to IMNV. Subsequent work has shown that the IMNV-like disease in Belize has a viral etiology and that its agent is most closely related to the nodavirus, MrNV, isolated from the fresh water prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. MrNV is the cause of white tail disease in M. rosenbergii, in which diseased prawns present a progressive myonecrosis and high mortality. The nodavirus from P. vannamei has been named PvNV (Penaeus vannamei nodavirus). Because gross signs and routine histopathology do not readily distinguish disease due to infection by IMNV or PvNV, the incorporation of molecular tests may be required to provide a definitive differential diagnosis.

Source: The program booklet for the 8th International Shrimp Culture Symposium and Trade Show (León, Nicaragua, May 2007). Abstract: New Diseases of Shrimp in Latin America with Emphasis on PvNV, A New Described Nodavirus from Penaeus Vannamei. Donald V. Lightner (dvl@u.arizona.edu), Carlos R. Pantoja, Rita M. Redman, Bonnie T. Poulos, Linda M. Nunan, Leone L. Mohney, Brenda L. Noble, Paul J. Schofield and Kathy F.J. Tang (Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA).

United States
California--Organic Shrimp

Founded in 2005, Blue Horizon Organic Seafood Company, Inc., a supplier of sustainable, wild-caught and organic seafood products, has received distribution approval from natural foods retailer Wild Oats for its organic Shrimp Skillet Meals, which will begin appearing at Wild Oats, Henry's Markets and Sun Harvest this summer. Certified organic by Naturland (Germany), the meals for two are ready to eat in ten minutes. Just pop them into a 12-inch skillet on your stovetop. All of Blue Horizon's seafood products are sourced in strict compliance with conservation policies.

Information: Tim Redmond, Blue Horizon Organic Seafood Company, Inc., 804 Estates Drive, Suite 200, Aptos, CA 95003 USA (phone 831-685-1648, fax 831-685-3216, email timr@bluehorizonseafood.comwebpage, http://www.bluehorizonseafood.com).

Source: Digital50.com. News/Wild Oats Marketplace Approves Distribution for Select Blue Horizon Products (http://digital50.com/news/items/BW/2001/07/14/20070509006020/wild-oats-marketplace-approves-distribution-for-select-blue-horizon-products.html). May 9, 2007.

United States
Florida--Durwood Dugger

I have added Durwood Dugger's story to An Oral History of Shrimp Farming in the Western Hemisphere. Durwood, a shrimp farming consultant and one of the pioneers of shrimp farming in the Western Hemisphere, has worked on more than 50 shrimp farming projects in the Western Hemisphere.

Source: Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International, May 24, 2007.

United States
Hawaii--Fish Meal

Shrimp feed manufacturers depend on wild-caught fish for key dietary nutrients like fish meal. In 2005, shrimp feeds were the largest consumers of fish meal in the aquaculture sector, utilizing an estimated 1,131,000 tons, equivalent to the consumption of 4,524,000 to 5,655,000 tons of fish (wet basis) for the production of 2,675,336 tons of farmed shrimp (wet basis) in 2005. In view of the current dependency of the shrimp sector upon these finite and potentially food-grade fishery resources, legitimate concerns are being raised concerning the long term economic, environmental and ecological sustainability of shrimp farming.

Source: The program booklet for the 8th International Shrimp Culture Symposium and Trade Show (León, Nicaragua, May 2007). Abstract: Recent Developments Concerning the Use of Animal Proteins in Aquaculture Feeds. Albert G.J. Tacon, Aquatic Farms, 49-139 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744 USA (phone 808-235-0177, fax 808-235-0177, email agjtacon@aoi.com).

United States
South Carolina--Job

The Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton has a position open for a pond technician.

Salary: $23,918.

Closing Date: Saturday, June 30, 2007.

Qualifications: high school diploma with experience in wildlife, fisheries or environmental programs. A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or a related area may be substituted for the required work experience.

Job Description: Monitoring pond, raceway and tank systems; feeding and stocking animals; collecting, collating and analyzing data; and preparation of reports.

Information: Office of Human Resources (phone 803-734-4400, email jobs@dnr.sc.gov, webpage http://www.dnr.sc.gov). Applicant must submit a state application, available at: www.dnr.sc.gov/admin/img/scapp.pdf.

Source: AquaNic (The Aquaculture Network Information Center, a gateway to the world's electronic aquaculture resources, http://aquanic.org/index.htm). Jobs Directory (http://www.aquanic.org/Text/job_serv.htm)/In cooperation with the WAS Employment Service. Search jobs (http://aquanic.org/jobs/search.asp). Aquaculture Technician--Shrimp (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=2423). Posted May 9, 2007.

United States
Washington, D.C., Senate Approves More Seafood Inspections

On May 9, 2007, the USA Senate approved a bipartisan amendment, submitted by Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, that authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to increase inspections of imported fish and shrimp for antibiotics. The amendment still needs House approval. Under the provisions of the amendment, the Senate must report back to Congress on what steps are being taken to ensure that proper inspections are occurring. Additionally, the amendment would require the Senate to report to Congress within 90 days on the feasibility of developing a traceability system for seafood products.

Information: Senator Jeff Sessions' press office (phone 202-224-4124, email emily_mathis@sessions.senate.gov).

Information: Deborah Long, Southern Shrimp Alliance (phone 785-539-5218, email deborah@cohesivecommunications.com).

Sources: 1. Times Daily.com. Senate okays amendment to boost fish, seafood inspections (http://www.timesdaily.com). The Associated Press. May 10, 2007. 2. Email to Shrimp News International from the Southern Shrimp Alliance. Subject: Senate Amendment to Enhance Testing of Imported Shrimp. Deborah Long. May 10, 2007.

Shrimp Hatcheries in India
State	Prawns	Shrimp	Totals
Andhra Pradesh²	43	148	191
Gujarat¹	0	2	2
Karnataka/Goa	0	14	14
Kerala	7	22	29
Maharashtra¹	2	6	8
Orissa²	2	13	15
Tamil Nadu	8	73	81
West Bengal	9	2	11
Totals	71	280	351
1. Two freshwater prawn hatcheries are under construction with French assistance and are scheduled for completion in December 2008.
2. In addition to the hatcheries mentioned in this table, India's Marine Products Export Development Authority set up a large hatchery in Orissa and another in Andhra Pradesh in the late 1970s.