Country Reports

Australia

Rock Lobster—PhD Scholarship

The Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), a collaborative research center involving some 50 researchers at the University of Tasmania in Hobart and RMIT University in Melbourne, is offering a PhD scholarship for the study of hatchery production of rock lobster seedstock.  It will involve analytic chemistry and the use of ozone to protect rock lobster seedstock from diseases.  The successful candidate will receive a tax-free stipend of $14,500 a year for up to three-and-a-half years.  A relocation assistance allowance may also be available.

Information: Persons interested in applying for this PhD scholarship should send an expression of interest and a CV to Professor Paul Haddad, Director, ACROSS, Private Bag 75, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia (phone 0061-36226-2179, email paul.haddad@utas.edu.au).

Source: Schloarshipnet.info.  Australia: PhD Positions in Analytical Chemistry Related to Rock Lobster Aquaculture, University of Tasmania.  No Date.  Website visit on April 20, 2009.

Bangladesh

Substandard Freshwater Prawn Fry Smuggled into Bangladesh from India

On April 12, 2009, Sheikh Mohammad Shafiuddin, head of the Golda Hatchery Association of Bangladesh, said, “Huge amounts of juvenile prawns are entering Bangladesh through the Satkhira border.  Traders in Bangladesh then sell them as fry caught in local rivers.”  Prawn hatcheries in Bangladesh are losing out because smuggled fry sell at a much lower price than local fry.

In Bangladesh, government-approved hatcheries produce around 1.2 billion postlarval prawns a year against a demand of 1.2 to 1.5 billion a year, said Shafiuddin.

Source: bdnews24.com.  ‘Fake’ Indian fry worry shrimp farmers.  April 14, 2009.

Brunei

Growout Feeds for Western Blue Shrimp

Abstract: In three, eight-week feeding trials, juvenile (0.9–4.3 grams) shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris) were stocked at 28 shrimp/m² in 1,827-liter outdoor tanks.  Survival rates exceeded 80% in all trials.  Growth rates ranged from 1.19 to 2.46 grams a week.  Water quality remained stable and within suitable ranges for P. stylirostris.  Algal blooms and bacterial flocs developed a few days after the trials started.  Fourteen commercial shrimp feeds, each containing more than 40% crude protein, were tested.  In spite of the presence of natural food organisms, significant feed-related differences among treatments were found.

The researchers concluded that the tanks were a good place to evaluate growout feeds.

Source: Aquaculture.  Growth performance of blue shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris in self-cleaning microcosm tanks.  K.P. Kumaraguru Vasagama, A. Victor Suresh and George W. Chamberlain (Integrated Aquaculture International, 3303 West Twelfth Street, Hastings, Nebraska 68902-0609, USA, georgec@integratedaquaculture.com).  Volume 290, Issues 3-4, Page 236, May 19, 2009.

China

International Crab Symposium

An “International Symposium on the Aquaculture, Biology and Management of Commercially Important Crabs” is scheduled for Shanghai Ocean University on November 8-11, 2009.  The conference will concentrate on crab biology, fishing and farming.  Shanghai is conveniently located within a short distance of freshwater mitten crab farms and saltwater mud crab and swimming crab farms.  Field trips to the farms will be part of the symposium.

Symposium chairmen include:

Professor Jianhai Xiand, President of the Chinese Crustacean Society, China

Professor Yongxu Cheng, Shanghai Ocean University, China

Professor Patrick Sorgeloos, Ghent University, Belgium

Dr. Chaoshu Zeng, James Cook University, Australia

Dr. Lewis Le Vay, University of Wales, United Kingdom

Information: For information on registration, abstracts, travel and accommodations, go to http://2009.crablab.org/Index.html.

Information: Dr. Klaus Anger, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland Stiftung, Alfred-Wegener-Institut, F. Polar und Meeresforschung, Meeresstation—Haus A, 27498 Helgoland, Germany (phone 49-0-4725-819-3348, fax 49-0-4725-819-3369, email klaus.anger@awi.de, webpage http://www.awi.de/people/show?kanger).

Source: Crust-L, an email-based mailing list for crustacean scientists (To subscribe, send an email to LISTPROC@VIMS.EDU.  In the body of the email, put SUBSCRIBE CRUST-L).  Subject: Crab Symposium Shanghai 8-11 November 2009.  From: Klaus Anger (klaus.anger@awi.de).  April 17, 2009.

Ecuador

Marchelot—The First Shrimp Farm to Get GlobalGap Certification

Marchelot is the first shrimp firm in the world to have its products certified under GlobalGap’s sustainable seafood standards.  GlobalGap’s standards require good aquaculture practices, food safety, environmental protection, social responsibility and risk assessment.  To complete a chain-of-custody requirement, Marchelot, which has two processing plants, Promarisco and Omarsa, in El Oro Province, chose a GlobalGap plan that covers hatcheries, farms and processing plants.

Inspectorate, an independent testing and certifying organization, checked out Marchelot’s facilities and certified that they were in compliance with GlobalGap’s standards.  That process took about eight months.

Source: The Wave (an online, subscription-based news service published by IntraFish Media, Norway).  Editorial Director, John Fiorillo (phone 1-206-282-3474, extension 25, cell 1-206-963-5732, fax 1-206-282-3470, email john.fiorillo@intrafish.com).  Ecuadoran Company First to Gain GlobalGap Certification for Shrimp.  April 21, 2009.

El Salvador

Taiwan Offers Fishermen Loans to Get Into Shrimp Farming

On April 17, 2009, Taiwan announced a program to issue small loans, totaling $100,000, to help fishermen turn salt evaporation ponds along the east coast into shrimp farms.  In addition, a Taiwanese technical mission in El Salvador will teach fishermen how to farm shrimp.  An estimated 320 fishermen will benefit from the loans, which should help increase local shrimp output by 66 tons a year, worth approximately $270,000.  The new shrimp farmers hope to net $150,000 on the deal.

Source: EetaiwanNews.com.  Taiwan Offers Loans to Salvadoran Shrimp Breeders.  Huang Kwang-chun and Elizabeth Hsu.  April 17, 2009.

India

Job—Selling Brine Shrimp Products to Hatcheries

Company: Tuty Fishes

Qualifications: Experience and knowledge of shrimp and fish hatcheries in India

Contact: tutyfishes@yahoo.in

Other Contact: marianartemia@yahoo.in

Closing Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

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.  Frozen Artemia (Shrimp Hatchery’s Feed) Agents on Commission (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=3134).  Posted April 28, 2009.

Indonesia

CP Prima—Conditions for Rights Offering Relaxed

Indonesia’s Capital Market and Financial Institutions Supervisory Agency, or Bapepam-LK, said that only 50 percent of CP Prima’s independent shareholders would need to attend a second shareholder’s meeting to approve a contentious rights issue.

On March 13, 2009, Bapepam canceled the original, $164.5 million rights offering by CP Prima, the largest shrimp farm in the world, saying there was a lack of a quorum among minority shareholders at a November 28, 2009, meeting.

On April 18, 2009, in a news release, Bapepam said that CP Prima would also have to address two more issues: the conversion of a subordinated loan from PT Surya Hidup Satwa and a 2007 loan agreement between CP Prima and creditor Surya Hidup.  Anis Baridwan, Bapepam’s head of real-sector financial reports inspection, said CP Prima would have to secure shareholder approval for recent amendments to this agreement.  CP Prima and Surya Hidup signed an amendment to the loan agreement on September 18, 2009, requiring immediate repayment of the debt if there are any future changes.  Changes occurred when Surya Hidup granted a subordinated loan to PT Pertiwi Indonesia, the standby buyer for CP Prima’s rights issue, following the collapse of global stock markets in October 2008.

Bapepam has also asked CP Prima to disclose any important information or material issues that have not been outlined in the prospectus for the rights issue.

Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group controls 72.8 percent of CP Prima.

Source: Jakarta Globe.  Bapepam Relaxes Rules For CP Prima’s Plan to Relaunch Rights Issue.  Yohanes Obor.  April 20, 2009.

Japan

Prices for Tiger Shrimp Rise

In Tokyo, wholesale prices for giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) increased by 20% to $11.75 per kilo, compared to prices at the end of 2008.  Import prices for Vietnamese tigers also increased by $1.50 to 2.00 a kilo.  Those increases were attributed to the decline of supply on the world markets combined with an increase in demand by Japanese consumers, who have been going out to eat less and consuming more shrimp at home!

Source: Vietnam Business Finance.  Price of export shrimp rises sharply.  April 19, 2009.

Mexico

WAS Meeting in Veracruz—CANCELLED—Rescheduled

“Due to the progression of events related to the recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico, the World Aquaculture Society in consultation with the partners and sponsors of WA2009 has decided to postpone our World Aquaculture 2009 conference to a future date, 3 to 4 months ahead. We are working with our commercial partners and service providers in Mexico to reschedule the event for September or October 2009.

Our first priority is to set a new date and then we will address the many details and send that information on to you. Rest assured that all abstract submissions, registrations, payments and assignments will be carried over to the new dates with appropriate time for changes/cancellations. We appreciate your understanding and patience and we will be in touch with the aquaculture community as rescheduling details become available.

Thank you for your continued support and we still look forward to WA2009 being the largest and most successfull WAS meeting ever!”

John Cooksey, WAS Executive Director

Lorenzo Juarez, WAS President

WAS Board of Directors WA 2009 Steering and Program Committee Members”

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 http://www.was.org).

Source: Email to Shrimp News international from John Cooksey.  Subject: Update on Veracruz Meeting.  April 30, 2009.

Netherlands

Happy Shrimp Farm

The industrial area of Rotterdam Harbor in the Netherlands does not appear to be an obvious location to grow tropical shrimp; however, by using the waste heat from a neighboring power plant, the Happy Shrimp Farm, grows western white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).  The farm covers an area of 5,000 square meters and is located next to an E.ON Benelux power plant.  A 2.5 kilometer connecting pipe enables Happy Shrimp Farm to use the waste heat from the power plant to keep its 24 raceways at a tropical temperature of 30ºC.  You can view pictures of the farm by clicking on the link below.

Source: AllAboutFeeds.net.  Photo Gallery/Farm Visit/Happy Shrimp Farm in the Netherlands.  April 15, 2009.

Netherlands

Research Shows That Farmed Shrimp Has Low Levels of Halogenated Contaminants

Between October 2007 and January 2008, researchers led by Stefan van Leeuwen of the Institute for Environmental Studies at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam tested more than 150 samples of seafood from grocery stores and fish markets in The Netherlands.  They were looking for halogenated contaminants (fluorides, chlorines, bromines and iodines) in farmed fish and shrimp.  They tested the meat of tilapia, pangasius, salmon, trout and shrimp grown on farms in The Netherlands, Denmark, Vietnam, China and Ecuador.  They found that species low on the food chain carry lower levels of halogenated contaminants than species high on the food chain.  Tests of store-bought fish and shrimp from farms around the world show that tilapia, pangasius and shrimp carry levels of these contaminants that in some cases are smaller by several magnitudes than those found in predator species like farmed salmon and trout.

The researchers measured PBDEs, PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, perfluorinated compounds and other contaminants in the flesh of each species.  Salmon and trout contained the highest levels of total contaminants.  Tilapia, pangasius and shrimp had much lower levels, less than 1 nanogram per gram wet weight.  Van Leeuwen says, “These levels were the lowest I had ever seen...in my professional life.”

However, heavier congeners of brominated flame retardants, such as BDE-209, appeared in most shrimp and all pangasius samples, which also surprised van Leeuwen.  Usually lighter congeners (BDE-100, -99, and -47) dominate in wild species, and he expected to see the same in the species from farms.  He speculates that something else might be contributing to the higher levels that his team studied, perhaps something from their local environment or from the materials used in handling, packaging and shipping.

These new results and previously published results by other researchers, including Michael Ikonomou at the Institute of Ocean Sciences at Fisheries and Oceans in Canada, may support the idea that farmed fish are not much of a risk to humans when it comes to certain contaminants, says Jeffrey Ashley of Philadelphia University.  But the high levels of BDE-209 reported in a few species were of interest.

The new data, combined with recent reports on BDE-209 in feeds, could lead to “some interesting avenues for future research,” Ashley said.  A recent paper in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found these same contaminants to be “ubiquitous” in aquatic feeds used in southern China, a major source of farmed species.  The findings from van Leeuwen and his colleagues suggest that some species (such as shrimp) may be able to metabolically debrominate some BDE congeners better than others.

Researchers plan to compare contaminant loads in farmed species with those in wild species.  Consumers’ eating habits also need to be taken into account to help figure out exactly what humans are exposed to, says Adrian Covaci at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.  Cooking seems to get rid of some contaminants, he notes, but cooking with certain nonstick pans, including those containing Teflon, might add them.

Ikonomou suggests that a comparison of contaminant levels in fish with the levels in other foods such as meat, milk products and eggs would be useful.  Future research could also put human exposure to PBDEs from fish into context with exposure to PBDEs from indoor air and electronic devices such as computers, Ikonomou says.

Source: ACS Publications (American Chemical Society).  Environmental Science and Technology Website.  Farmed fish from top to bottom.  Naomi Lubick.  April 15, 2009.

Nicaragua

Selling Shrimp to Russia

Nicaragua and Russia have signed an agreement of understanding that grants Nicaraguan shrimp and fish exports greater access to the Russian market.  During a two-week visit to Nicaragua, the Russian delegates inspected local factories and laboratories to certify the quality of Nicaraguan shrimp and fish.

“They came to inspect our plants and laboratories and left satisfied,” said a governmental source.  As a result, exporters interested in doing business with Russia need only present a certification from the General Directorate of Agricultural Health and the Agricultural and Forest Ministry.

Russia has the capacity to buy “thousands of tons of shellfish products” from Nicaragua, said one of the Russian delegates.

Source: FIS United States.  Local shrimp and fish en route to Russia.  Analia Murias (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  April 14, 2009.

Thailand

Do Grocery Store Shrimp Spread Diseases to Shrimp Fisheries and Shrimp Farms?

Abstract: This review found no published reports in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature that linked retail sales of shrimp with disease outbreaks in wild or farmed shrimp.  Reports were found describing successful laboratory transmission of shrimp viruses from packaged fresh frozen shrimp under specific laboratory conditions, but they did not include epidemiological analyses to determine the probable risk of transmission to wild or farmed shrimp stocks.

In the review, other more likely routes of shrimp viral transmission are discussed and risk reduction measures are recommended.

Source: Aquaculture.  Review of disease transmission risks from prawn products exported for human consumption.  T.W. Flegel (sctwf@mahidol.ac.th, Centex Shrimp, Chalermprakiat Building, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand).  Volume 290, Issues 3-4, Page 179, May 19, 2009.

United Arab Emirates

Job—Abu Dhabi, Hatchery

Company: Aljaraf Fisheries, Abu Dhabi.

Salary: Negotiable, based on experience.

Qualifications: BSc/MSc in Aquaculture/Mariculture/Fisheries/Marine Biology or related fields.

Description: Broodstock maintenance, nauplii production, domestication of broodstock (Penaeus monodon and P. indicus).

Closing Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009 Date.

Information: Dr. Gopakumar (phone 00971508148573, email sdgopakumar@yahoo.co.in).

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 Technician (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=3133).  Posted April 28, 2009.

United States

Florida—Jobs, Shrimp Hatchery Positions

Scientific Associates, LLC, has several positions open at its bait shrimp hatchery in Indiantown, Florida.

Closing Date: Friday, May 15, 2009.

Qualifications: Applicants for supervisor positions must have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in aquaculture or a related discipline and a minimum of two years of hatchery experience.  Applicants for technician positions must have a high school diploma.  Preference will be given to applicants with related work experience.  Construction skills (pipe fitting, carpentry, electrical installations) considered a plus.  Applicants must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.  Applicants must be able to lift and carry fifty pounds.  Applicants must be USA citizens or have a current green card, no exceptions.  No relocation assistance available.

Description: Scientific Associates, LLC, is accepting applications to fill shrimp hatchery staffing positions for a new bait shrimp hatchery.  Hatchery staffing positions include maturation supervisor, larval rearing supervisor, maturation technician, larval rearing technician, and algae production technician.  Scientific Associates is a privately owned aquaculture company specializing in the production of shrimp in ultra-intensive indoor recirculating systems using cutting edge environmentally sustainable technologies.  The company operates an inland shrimp hatchery with a monthly production capacity of 3 million PLs/month.

Information: Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and contact information for three personal references to: Peter Van Wyk, Scientific Associates, LLC, 22205 SW Martin Hwy, Indiantown, Florida 34956, USA (phone 1-772-597-1101, email jobs01@scientificassociates.us).

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 Staff Positions (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=3135).  Posted April 28, 2009.

United States

Washington, DC—New Head of Aquaculture

Dr. Gene Kim has been the NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the Department of Commerce] Research/Sea Grant Aquaculture Director since the beginning of 2009.  He directs the National Marine Aquaculture Initiative competitive grants program, serves as the NOAA Research/Sea Grant representative to the NOAA-NMFS Aquaculture Program, represents NOAA Sea Grant on inter-agency efforts, participates on several NOAA international aquaculture exchange programs, and coordinates a national network of Sea Grant aquaculture extension agents.  His work experience includes the NOAA Research Policy, Planning and Evaluation Office (duties included managing the NOAA Ecosystem Research Program), the USA Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans Subcommittee (Legislative Fellow), and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Peer Review Coordinator).  Dr. Kim holds a PhD from Ohio State University, where he focused on fisheries and aquaculture issues, including water quality management, invasive species, benthic communities and dietary transfer of organic contaminants.  At Auburn University, he studied larval fish ecology.

Information: Dr. Gene Kim, NOAA Sea Grant, 1315 East-West Highway, R/SG SSMC3, Room 11876, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA (phone 1-301-734-1281, fax 1-301-713-0799, email gene.kim@noaa.gov).

Source: Aquacontacts Mail Group News (USDA).  From: Gary Jensen (gjensen@csrees.usda.gov).  Gene Kim–NOAA Research/Sea Grant Aquaculture Director.  April 16, 2009.

United States

Washington DC—Shrimp Imports Down

After falling 13.2 percent in January 2009, USA shrimp imports tumbled nearly 14 percent in February 2009, compared to the same periods in 2008, according to figures released by the National Marine Fisheries Service.  Shrimp imports totaled 76.3 million pounds in February 2009.  Imports from Malaysia, China and Vietnam experienced the biggest drops: 56.9, 49.2 and 33.9 percent, respectively.  Among the United States’ top three shrimp suppliers, imports from Thailand were up 0.4 percent, to 53.9 million pounds, while imports from Indonesia were down 3.7 percent, to 28 million pounds, and imports from Ecuador were down 4.2 percent, to 22.1 million pounds.

USA imports totaled 1.24 billion pounds in 2008, up 1.3 percent from 2007.

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  Editor Steven Hedlund (shedlune@divcom.com).  U.S. shrimp imports continue slide.  April 14, 2009.

United States

Washington, DC—WWF Partners with SYSCO

On April 16, 2009, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced a partnership agreement with SYSCO, the nation’s largest foodservice distributor, to develop a strategy for responsibly sourced seafood.  Under the agreement, WWF will assess the sourcing of SYSCO’s top ten branded seafood species and work with the company to develop strategies that build on its efforts to move towards sustainable seafood sourcing.  Implementation of the strategy will be addressed during the second phase of the partnership.  SYSCO is also a supporter of the WWF’s multi-stakeholder roundtables, called Aquaculture Dialogues, and will provide financial support for the shrimp and salmon Dialogues.

WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century.  With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change.

Information: Steven K. Ertel, Senior Director Media Relations and External Communications, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, NW Washington DC 20037, USA (phone 1-202-495-4562, cell 1-202-460-4641, email steve.ertel@wwfus.org, webpage http:www.worldwildlife.org).  For more information on WWF’s sustainable seafood work, visit http://worldwildlife.org/waveforward/sustainableseafood.html.

Source: News Release.  World Wildlife Fund.  WWF Partners with SYSCO on Sustainable Seafood.  April 16, 2009.

Vietnam

Tiger Shrimp in Short Supply

In 2008, many tiger shrimp farmers lost money, so, in 2009, some of them did not stock their ponds.  Now, a shortage of tigers has forced 14 out of 26 shrimp processors in Ca Mau Province to temporarily halt operations.  Tran Thien Hai, director of Minh Hai Seafood Joint Stock Company, said his company was only able to buy 20 tons of shrimp a day, while normally it would need 50 tons.  Some processors paid 10-15% above current market prices to secure adequate supplies of tigers.

Source: Vietnam Business Finance.  Price of export shrimp rises sharply.  April 19, 2009.

Yemen

Shrimp Farm Gets Financing

Located on the Red Sea, Hodeidah, the fourth largest city in the country, has been granted permits and $19 million from the country’s General Authority for Investment to set up six projects.  One of the projects is a shrimp farm.

Source: Yemen Times.  In Brief/Hodeidah/GAI Grants Permits for Six Investment Projects.  April 14, 2009.

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