China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand

Propose New International Shrimp Association

Agree on Industry Standards

Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Thailand produce 80 percent of the world’s farmed shrimp!

On April 17, 2009, at the “2009 Shrimp Industry Development Forum” in Zhanjiang, China, representatives of the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Association, the Thai Shrimp Association, the Indonesian Shrimp Board of Commodities and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers joined other experts and commercial stakeholders to exchange views on the global shrimp farming situation.

The four associations reported that shrimp exports and prices began to deteriorate in 2008.  They forecast further deterioration in 2009 because of the global financial crisis.  They say the demand from the primary shrimp importers—Japan, the European Union and the USA—is expected to remain weak.  In the short term, they don’t expect to see any increase in shrimp prices.  All four countries hope to boost domestic consumption.

One idea proposed at the meeting was the establishment of a global shrimp industry alliance with a rotating president—to include the other main producing countries such as Ecuador, India, Mexico, Brazil, Bangladesh and others!

The four associations agreed to:

• Exchange information on a regular basis

• Work together to reduce or eliminate trade and technical barriers

• Share the latest technologies in shrimp farming and processing

• Take responsibility for sharing information

• Maintain a black list of international companies that engage in questionable or

illegal business practices

• Obey the principle of producing-according-to-demand

• Protect the benefit of each market segment

• Increase the variety of products

• Increase the diversification of the market

• Establish traceability systems

• Encourage international certification

Source: FIS United States.  Leading Asian shrimp nations look to coalesce.  Michael Loubet (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  April 28, 2009.

Country Reports

Australia

Risk Analysis on Importing Raw Shrimp

In 2007, Australia imposed a ban on imports of raw shrimp to protect its shrimp fisheries and shrimp farms from exotic shrimp pathogens.

Now, Biosecurity Australia, with the assistance of an expert import risk analysis (IRA) team, has completed the final draft of its risk analysis of shrimp imports and referred it to the Eminent Scientists Group (ESG) for review.  ESG’s role is to ensure that Biosecurity Australia has taken stakeholder comments properly into account in finalizing the risk analysis and policy recommendations.  ESG has up to 60 days to undertake its review.

Biosecurity Australia will take into account the recommendations of the ESG in producing a final IRA report.  The report, which will be open to formal appeal, will then be published.  Following any appeal process (and implementation of appeal outcomes, if required) a final report and recommendations will be provided to the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine, who will then make a quarantine policy determination.

The process of the ESG review, the formal appeal period and the final policy determination is likely to be concluded by the end of 2009.

Information: Biosecurity Australia, Prawns and Prawn Products.

Source: GROWfish (Gippsland Aquaculture Industry Network, Inc.).  GROWfish eNewsletter (subscribehtml@growfish.com.au).  IRA update for prawns and prawn products.  April 24, 2009.

Brazil

Shrimp Production to Surge Fivefold

Itamar Rocha, president of the Brazilian Association of Shrimp Farmers, says production of farmed shrimp in the state of Rio Grande do Norte could surge 500 percent in 2009.  The optimistic forecast follows a disappointing 2008 that saw many crops ruined by heavy rains.

According to Rocha, the state produced 26,000 metric tons of shrimp in 2008, exporting approximately 6,000 tons.  If the expected growth does not occur, “the internal market will still dominate,” he added, and “small shrimp will be most in demand.”

Source: FIS United States.  Shrimp production to surge fivefold.  Analia Murias (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  April 27, 2009.

Brazil

Resumes Shrimp Exports to Europe

Fifty containers (1,000 metric tons) of farmed Brazilian shrimp from the states of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte will be shipped to Europe in late May 2009.  Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte produce 80 percent of Brazil’s farmed shrimp.

According to Christian Peixoto Maia, president of a shrimp industry association in Ceará, foreign markets were sought because it was feared that the domestic market would not be able to absorb the increase in national production.

“Our shrimp beats Chinese shrimp in quality but cannot compete with it in terms of price,” Maia said.  “Now with the fall of Chinese exports, we have the opportunity to win over the market.”

Brazilian exporters hope shrimp prices in the European market will begin to increase in May 2009, he said.  “A kilo of shrimp costs around $3.80 in Europe.  In order to compensate for our export costs, ideally its value should reach $4.80.  This will not be difficult, given the absence of shrimp in the market due to the retraction of Chinese exports,” he added.

Until 2003, 80 percent of the Ceará’s shrimp were exported.  Now, 90 percent are consumed in the domestic market.

Combined, on average, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte produce 50,000 metric tons of shrimp a year, while Brazil’s total production is 65,000 tons.

Source: FIS United States.  Shrimp export to Europe renewed.  Analia Murias (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  April 23, 2009.

China

Plans to Expand Farmed Shrimp Production by 20% over the Next Two Years

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, China plans to expand farmed shrimp production by up to 20 percent over the next two years.

Compared to 2008, domestic demand for shrimp is expected to increase by up to 30 percent in 2009, while shrimp exports might fall by as much as 20 percent.

The Guangdong Pearl River Delta and Fujian, Guangxi and Zhejiang provinces are seen as key areas for the development of more shrimp farms.  The ministry also aims to develop more disease-resistant shrimp species with faster growth rates.

Weather conditions for shrimp cultivation in China in 2009 are more favorable than in 2008, when heavy snow, floods, earthquakes, drought and winds hampered production.

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  Editor Steven Hedlund (shedlune@divcom.com).  Seafood News/Aquaculture/China to expand shrimp farming.  Catherine Zhang.  April 24, 2009.

Ecuador

Promarisco—A Passion for Shrimp!

This advertisement appeared in The Global Aquaculture Advocate:

Experience all natural and delicious white Ecuadorian Shrimp.  For more than twenty-five years, Promarisco has been a leader in the Ecuadorian shrimp market.  Now as part of Grupo Pescanova, with headquarters in Spain and offices around the world, Promarisco is committed to maintaining the leading edge in white shrimp aquaculture.

Some of our key strengths include:

• Vertically integrated aquaculture facilities with year round production

• A wide range of counts and sizes

• Whole and headless shell-on shrimp

• Extensive expertise in the production of value-added products

• Highly certified operations with ACC, HACCP, ISO 22,000 and BRC standards

Information: Promarisco (phone 593-4-281-2307, fax 593-4-280, email ventas1@promarisco.com, webpage http://www.promarisco.com).

Source: The Global Aquaculture Advocate.  Editor, Darryl Jory (dejry2525@aol.com).  Advertisement/Promarisco.  Volume 12, Issue 2, Page 52, March/April 2009.

India

International Lobster Conference

An international conference on recent advances in lobster biology, aquaculture and fisheries management will be held in Chennai, India, on January 5–8, 2010.

Information: Dr. M. Vijaykumaran (vijay@niot.res.in) and Dr. R. Kirubagaran (ralbam@niot.res.in), Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (OSTI) NIOT, Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600 100, India (phone +91-44-66783418, fax +91-44-66783430).

Source: The Lobster Newsletter.  Editors, Rick Wahle (rwahle@bigelow.org) and Roy Melville-Smith (rmsmith@fish.wa.gov.au).  International Conference: “Recent Advances in Lobster Biology, Aquaculture and Management (Ralbam 2010)” India, January 5th-8th 2010.  M. Vijaykumaran and R. Kirubagaran.  Volume 22, Number 1, Page 1, April 2009.

Mexico

Shrimp Farming Experiences a Decade of Growth

According to Ramon Corral Avila, the head of the National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission (CONAPESCA), “The shrimp farming industry in our country has grown at an average rate of more than 18 percent a year for the last ten years....”

CONAPESCA has made increasing the availability of shrimp seedstock a top priority.

Source: FIS United States.  Fish farming technologies a priority: official.  Analia Murias (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  April 13, 2009.

Mexico

WAS Meeting in Veracruz Rescheduled

“Due to the progression of events related to the recent 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.  After avoiding other major aquaculture gatherings and major holidays while coordinating with hotel and convention center availability, a new date was set for WA2009 for September 25-29, 2009.

The schedule will be the same as it was for the May dates.  We will have revised schedules on the website by the end of next week.

Thank you for your continued support and patience.  We look forward to seeing you in Veracruz in September!”

To view the preliminary shrimp farming program for the World Aquaculture Society meeting in Veracruz (September 25–29, 2009), click here.

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from Lorenzo Juarez, president of the World Aquaculture Society, on May 1, 2009.

Nicaragua/Russia

Camanica Involved in Russian Deal

Camanica, the largest shrimp farming operation in the Western Hemisphere, is one of five Nicaraguan firms permitted to export marine products to Russia.  Dubrovin Ergeny, the head of the Russian delegation that inspected processing facilities in Nicaragua, said that Russia was eventually interested in acquiring some 500,000 metric tons of marine products from Nicaragua.

According to available data, Nicaragua’s seafood production was over 25,000 tons in 2008.  Of that total, 14,720 tons were farmed shrimp 4,600 tons were fish, 1,300 tons were boat-caught shrimp and 1,200 tons were lobster.  The export value of these products totaled $137 million, $56 million from shrimp and $40 million from lobster.

Shipments to Russia will begin in mid-2009.

Source: FIS United States.  Seafood exports to Russia to kick off in July.  Analia Murias (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  April 28, 2009.

Saudi Arabia

National Prawn Company

Peter Fraser, general manager of commercial business at National Prawn Company, already the largest shrimp farm in the Middle East, says the company will be adding 10 hectares of shrimp ponds a week for the next two years.  Production will jump from 25,000 metric tons in 2009 to 50,000 metric tons by 2012!

National Prawn plans to launch a new range of modified-atmosphere products in 2010.  They will be given a new brand name and will be shipped as “fresh airfreight”, said Fraser.

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).  Brussels blog/News from the show/Saudi shrimp giant plans massive expansion.  Rachel Mutter.  April 29, 2009.

United States

New Jersey—Mark Rosenblum and The Jumping Shrimp Company

On March 30, 2009, Mark Rosenblum, the owner of Maritech, a large shrimp farming operation in Mexico that went out of business almost a decade ago, renewed the domain name registration for The Jumping Shrimp Company.  The domain name is “RightTasty.com”.

Administrative Contact: Mark Rosenblum, The Jumping Shrimp Company, 3 South Arlene Drive, West Long Branch, New Jersey 07764, USA (phone 1-732-829-7521, email rosenblum7@aol.com).

Source: Whois.domaintools.com.  Whois Record.  The Jumping Shrimp Company (scroll down when the page opens).  Website visit on April 27, 2009.

United States

Rhode Island—Lobster Shell Disease Research

In 2006, the United States Congress appropriated $3 million to establish a cooperative research program titled “The New England Lobster Research Initiative” to study lobster shell disease.  The goal of the program was to describe the disease agent and how it works and to determine the extent and severity of the disease in New England waters.  The program combined the strengths of 11 institutions, two state agencies, and over 35 scientists and American graduate students.  A unique feature of this program was the “100 Lobster Study” in which some of the world’s foremost crustacean disease researchers worked with material from the same 100 lobsters.  Expectations are that this collaborative approach will allow for groundbreaking analysis of a complex problem.

Information: Barbara Somers, Rhode Island SeaGrant, University of Rhode Island, 40A East Farm Road, Building 83, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA (email bsomers@mail.uri.edu).

Source: The Lobster Newsletter.  Editors, Rick Wahle (rwahle@bigelow.org) and Roy Melville-Smith (rmsmith@fish.wa.gov.au).  Lobster Shell Disease Research Intensifies.  Barbara Somers.  Volume 22, Number 1, Page 14, April 2009.

United States

Texas—Natural Shrimp Company Video

For a one-minute video about the Natural Shrimp Company, a small, indoor shrimp farm in Texas, click on the link below.

Source: YouTube.  Natural Shrimp Company.  September 29, 2008.

United States

Utah—Mercury and the Great Salt Lake

Commercial fishermen harvest brine shrimp eggs from the surface of the Great Salt Lake.  Shrimp hatcheries around the world hatch those eggs and feed the brine shrimp nauplii to postlarval shrimp that are headed for pond stocking.

State water quality officials and environmentalists say there are contaminants in the Great Salt Lake that could be harmful, but opinions vary as to how dangerous they are and what risks they pose.

John Whitehead, an assistant director of the Utah Division of Water Quality within the Department of Environmental Quality, said mercury and selenium are two issues of concern at the lake.

Jeff Salt, director of the Great Salt Lake Water Keepers, an environmental organization formerly called Great Salt Lakekeeper, said mercury is probably the most dangerous pollutant in the Great Salt Lake, and concentrations of total mercury compounds and methylmercury are higher there than in any other body of water in the United States.  Methylmercury, the most common organic mercury compound, is the form of mercury most toxic to humans and wildlife.  As a potent neurotoxin, it can affect vision, speech and walking ability and leads to death in cases of high exposure.

A multi-agency project between the federal Fish and Wildlife Service, state Division of Wildlife Resources, state Division of Water Quality, Utah State University and the USA Geological Survey launched in 2007 is the first comprehensive mercury study ever done at the lake, according to Jodi Gardberg, Great Salt Lake Watershed coordinator with the Division of Water Quality.  “We’re studying what concentrations of methylmercury are in the sediment, soil, and brine shrimp...because methylmercury bioaccumulates in the ecosystem,” Gardberg said.

Sampling started in the spring of 2008 and ended at the end of the 2008.  Samples were sent to the USGS Mercury Research Laboratory in Wisconsin, and results are now starting to come in.

Salt said methylmercury gets ingested by algae, and then brine shrimp feed on the algae....  He said, “My concern, even though it hasn’t been proven or scientifically studied, is that we are contributing to mercury contamination in our own food supply by selling brine shrimp eggs with methylmercury.  With bioaccumulation, people are getting elevated doses just from eating farm-fed fish products relying on the brine shrimp eggs as food.  So we need to look at that and see if it’s a problem or not.”

Source: Tooele Transcript Bulletin Online.  How clean is the Great Salt Lake? Sarah Miley (swest@tooeletranscript.com).  April 23, 2009.

United States

Washington DC—Blame the Dumping Case on Brad Ward

Brad Ward, former partner at the law firm Dewey and LeBoeuf and lead counsel for domestic shrimp producers in the dumping case, has been named deputy general counsel at the Office of the USA Trade Representative.

Ward helped round up industry sponsors for the case.  He developed the legal argument for the case—and he even developed the program whereby foreign exporters paid the Southern Shrimp Alliance protection money to prevent SSA from filing for administrative reviews.  In the process, the domestic industry paid millions of dollars to his former law firm, Dewey Ballantine.  In 2007, Dewey Ballantine merged with LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene and MacRae to form Dewey and LeBoeuf.

The firm is very well connected in Washington, DC, and has a special branch devoted to dumping and countervailing duty cases.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Lead lawyer for domestic shrimpers in anti-dumping case appointed deputy counsel to US trade rep [Source: Dick Gutting, Foreign Trade Data Alerts, with additional material from John Sackton].  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 1-781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  May 4, 2009.

Classified Advertisements