Safety at the Speed of Light—Blog 4

Shrimp Exporters Take Note

Mike Leavitt, Secretary of the USA Department of Health and Human Services, the parent agency of the Food and Drug Administration, blogs a message to the world’s shrimp exporters:

“As a continuation of my blog series on the safety of our product imports, I want to illustrate the change in our basic strategy by talking about the shrimp business.  I was in Vietnam and Central America recently—both are big producers and exporters of shrimp.  I met with representatives of the shrimp industry in both places.

We talked about the impact on their product when a shipment gets detained at our border.  Delays create huge costs and often disrupt or even close affected businesses.

Members of the shrimp industry independently decided that they needed to develop a set of quality and safety standards and a way to verify compliance with those standards.  They did this because their consumers needed to know that their products were safe and of high quality.  They developed a formal, voluntary collaboration that produced a set of industry standards and certification process.  [Editor: Most likely, a reference to the Global Aquaculture Alliance and the Aquaculture Certification Council.]

A centerpiece of our new strategy is to encourage, leverage and build upon such voluntary third-party efforts.  We are not inventing a new concept.  It already exists.  And it works.

We observed independent certification being used in many sectors of the import world.  Until now, we have not integrated this capacity for improvement into our regulatory responsibility.  This needs to be a government-wide strategy; ultimately, it should apply to all product lines.

Since FDA has responsibility for the safety of a significant share of our imports, I would like to outline the way we are transforming the Food and Drug Administration to harness the power of this new vision.

In the future, products from those firms that have standards and certification processes that we trust will be given expedited entry and access to USA consumers.  The FDA will be freed to focus its enforcement resources on those suppliers that don’t have certified products.  FDA is establishing a pilot with the shrimp industry to help learn how to evaluate third-party certification programs and implement them in the field.

So we are saying clearly: ‘We want you to have access to American consumer markets—we want to have access to yours.  To do so, you need to meet American standards of quality and safety.  If you can demonstrate through a process we trust, that your products meet the safety standards that we have mutually agreed upon, we’ll be your partners in speed.’

Can you see the linkage that connects speed and safety?

Speed is accomplished when trust has been established.  Trust happens only with complete transparency.  Transparency requires standards, and standards require collaboration.

This is a key point—a change born of the global market—collaboration is the new frontier of human productivity.  I believe learning better collaborative skills is a requirement for success in this century.  It is a proven method of solving complex problems, and it’s hard work.  I want to write more about the importance of collaboration with other governments around safety in a global market, and I will pick up here in my next entry.”

Source: Mike Leavitt, Secretary of the USA Department of Health and Human Services.  His blogsite.  Safety at the Speed of Life—Blog 4.  July 24, 2008.

Country Reports

Bangladesh

Hatchery Ordinance 2008

The government plans to introduce a law that will bring discipline and accountability to the shrimp hatchery industry.  Bangladesh has 58 shrimp hatcheries (Penaeus monodon) along the southeastern coast that produce eight to ten billion postlarvae a year for farms along the southwestern coast.  Bangladesh also has about 30 freshwater prawn hatcheries (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

The forthcoming law, “Hatchery Ordinance 2008”, is expected to require the registration and licensing of hatcheries and set standards for equipment and management practices.

Source: The Daily Star.  Fish hatchery law on cards.  Sohel Parvez (sohel@thedailystar.net).  July 28, 2008.

China

Shrimp Exports Increase

China exported 3,354 tons of “shrimp meat” [peeled and deveined tails?] valued at $16.8 million (€10.7 million) in May 2008 and 15,834 tons valued at $71.7 million (€45.7 million) through the first five months of 2008, increases of 206.6 percent and 143.8 percent, respectively.

Source: The Wave (an online, subscription-based news service published by IntraFish Media, Norway).  Editorial Director, John Fiorillo (phone 206-282-3474, extension 25, cell 206-963-5732, fax 206-282-3470, email john.fiorillo@intrafish.com).  China boosts shrimp exports.  July 25, 2008.

Costa Rica

Rainbow Export Markets Farmed Organic Shrimp

Rainbow Export Processing, S.A., a seafood processor (coldwater shrimp, lobster, crawfish, squid, cuttlefish, octopus and fine fish), has received Friend of the Sea certification for its line of organic farmed shrimp from Central and South America.

Ristic AG (Germany) will market the shrimp on the European market.  Ristic already markets farmed shrimp certified by the Institut für Marktökologie (IMO, Institute for Market Ecology) and Naturland in Europe.  Ristic’s shrimp come from organic farms in Central and South America.  They are reared on organic feed, and no antibiotics or chemicals are permitted in the farming process.

Information: Rainbow Export Processing, SA, Barranca, Puntarenas 27-5400, Costa Rica (phone 506-816-9995, fax 506-664-2600, email info@rainbow-jewels.com, webpage http://www.ristic.com).

Source: GROWfish (Gippsland Aquaculture Industry Network, Inc.).  GROWfish eNewsletter (subscribehtml@growfish.com.au).  Friend of the Sea certify vannamei farms and processor.  July 29, 2008.

Indonesia

Losing Market Share to India, China and Vietnam

An official of the Maritime and Fishery Ministry said exports of farmed shrimp to the United States, Japan and the European Union have begun to decline because of competition from Vietnam, India and China.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Indonesia losing shrimp export market share to Vietnam, India and China.  Ken Coons (phone 781-861-1441, email kencoons@seafood.com).  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  July 28, 2008.

Italy

Researcher Wants 20,000 Penaeus monodon

I need a batch of 20,000 SPF Penaeus monodon postlarvae for an experimental trial in Italy.  Where can I buy them?

Information: Dr. Giuseppe Scordella, Methodo Scientific Consulting, Via Archimede, 16 73047 Monteroni di Lecce (LE),  Italy (email giuseppe@scordella.it, webpage http://www.scordella.it).

Source: The Shrimp List (a mailing list for shrimp farmers).  Subject: Looking for information.  August 7, 2008.

Malaysia

The State of Sabah Encourages Fishermen to Get Into Shrimp Farming

In the state of Sabah (East Malaysia, on the north coast of the island of Borneo), the government has allocated $61 thousand to help fishermen get started in shrimp farming.  The allocation is to help the state produce 30,700 metric tons of shrimp worth $377 million by 2010, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Yahya Hussin, who is also the state Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry.

Source: NST Online.  Sabah allocates RM 1.5 million for coastal fishermen.  Bernama.  July 29, 2008.

Malaysia

Crab Farming

In the northwest state of Perak (see map above), Zulkifle Mohamed, 36, grows the brown crab, Scylla serrata, in stacked, rectangular tanks (0.7m x 3.6m) that are compartmentalized like ice trays to hold 120 individual crabs.  “Each crab has its own pot because of the species’ cannibalistic nature.  This is the crab’s home for 70 days, until it reaches a market size of 500 grams,” said Zulkifle.

Zulkifle pointed out that crabs reared in ponds have only a 30% survival rate.  In tanks, there’s an 80%-95% chance of surviving. Zulkifle said:

“Out of 120 young crabs...roughly 112 will see the inside of a shipment box.”

“The crabs feed once a day on a diet of chopped fish.  Feeding is done at night because crabs are nocturnal creatures.  Every morning, you’d have to remove the remains of the previous night’s dinner and wash the filter bags.”

“We do not use hormones or chemicals to fatten the crabs, and there are no environmental contaminants, or mercury.  There’s little waste, and the system is drought proof as water is continually recycled.”

Zulkifle pulled out a plump crab...saying, “This one...is about 700 grams, and it can grow up to four kilos.”

“Once a crab dies, the meat gets mushy.  If you’ve ever eaten a crab and found that the meat was mushy, it means it died before hitting the pot.”

“In the wild, the molting process almost always takes place in muddy waters, and this is reflected in the taste.  Tank-raised crabs are held in higher esteem at hotels and restaurants because when reared in pristine water, the flavor is clean and sweet.”

Zulkifle’s company, Sama Aquaculture, produces both hard-shell and soft-shell crabs.  “Soft-shell crabs are ready for harvest after three weeks to a month.  Hard-shell crabs take two to 2½ months.”  The crabs are chill-packed and shipped to Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The company shares its technology.  For $2,000, you can buy a complete set of tanks, feed and 120 juvenile crabs.  Zulkifle said: “Our technical experts will...track the progress of your farm on site every two weeks.  We guarantee a buy-back at $8.57 per kilogram for hard-shell crabs and $4.59 per kilogram for soft shell crabs, but farmers are not obliged to sell to us.  If they can sell to local restaurants for a higher price, by all means, go ahead.”

Source: The Star Online.  Full of crab.  Rose Yasmin Karim.  June 28, 2008.

Myanmar

USA President Closes Two Shrimp Processing Plants

Two shrimp processing plants were shut down recently in the wake of an executive decree issued by USA President Bush on May 1, 2008, to increase USA trade sanctions against Myanmar.  The executive decree specified that no USA person or company import any products from Myanmar.

The closed processing/cold storage plants were in the state of Arakan and owned by Shwe Tharawan and Shwe Yamon.  Shwe Tharawan is the son of General Shwe Mann, the third most powerful figure in Myanmar, after General Than Shwe and Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, who is the joint chief of staff of the Burmese Armed Forces.

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  Myanmar Shrimp Processing Plants Closed (Linda Salim for SeafoodSource from Surabaya, Indonesia).  July 23, 2008.

Portugal

New Book on Ornamental Shrimp Farming

Marine ornamental shrimp are amongst the most heavily traded invertebrate species in the aquarium trade (see United States, below).  The majority of species are collected from the wild, which has a negative effect on ocean ecosystems.  Consequently, industry leaders have placed a major priority on the farming of marine ornamental shrimp.

A new book, Marine Ornamental Shrimp, provides a global overview of the biology, culture and conservation of the major families of marine ornamental shrimp.  Coverage includes ecological aspects, reproductive biology, major techniques used in culture systems for maturation, larviculture and growout, plus details of the main conservation issues, including a discussion of the negative aspects of wild specimen collection and the ongoing efforts to mitigate such impacts.

Chapter headings:

• Introduction (what is a marine ornamental shrimp?)

• Collected and traded species

• Ecological remarks

• Reproductive biology and mating behavior

• Larval development

• Broodstock maintenance in captivity

• Larval culture

• Juvenile culture

• Other marine ornamental decapod species with culture potential

• Future improvements on marine ornamental shrimp culture

• Conservation issues

• Conclusions

Source: Blackwell Publishing’s webpage (http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/book.asp?ref=9781405170864&site=1).  Marine Ornamental Shrimp: Biology, Aquaculture and Conservation.  Ricardo Calado.  July 28, 2008.

United States

Alabama—Job

The Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures at Auburn University is seeking candidates for the position of Research Assistant II/III/IV or Associate I/II/III at the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center in Gulf Shores.  Responsibilities include: coordinating the daily operations of the center; assisting in development of new proposals; conducting research with marine aquatic species (primarily native and nonnative shrimp species and Florida pompano) in both ponds and recirculating systems; and preparing research reports, scientific papers and competitive grants.

Closing Date: August 15, 2008.

Qualifications: Designation as a Research Assistant requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Aquaculture, Fisheries, or a closely related field, and two years experience with pond-based culture systems, semi-closed recirculation systems and commercial systems.  Designation as a Research Associate requires a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in the subject areas listed above.  Employer will consider advanced degrees in lieu of experience.  The successful candidate must have a good understanding of statistical analysis.  The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.  Excellent interpersonal communication skills are required.  Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.  Refer to Requisition #22763 and apply online at: http://www.auburn.edu/main/employment.html.

Information: If you need any assistance, contact Auburn University’s Department of Human Resources at 334-844-4145.

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.  Research Assistant II/III/IV - Associate I/II/III (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=2908).  Posted: August 1, 2008.

United States

Georgia—National Shellfisheries Association Crustacean Meeting

Dear Shrimp Listers,

I am soliciting papers for a special session on Crustacean Health Management for the upcoming 101st annual meeting of National Shellfisheries Association on March 22-26, 2009, in Savannah, Georgia.  Lobsters and crabs usually take center stage at NSA meetings, while shrimp and crayfish are rarely represented.  Abstracts are due November 18, 2008.  Details can be found online at http://www.shelfish.org.  I hope to hear from at least a few of you!

Information: Susan Laramore, Assistant Research Scientist, Center for Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FAU 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946 USA (phone 772-465-2400, ext 525, email slaramo1@hboi.fau.edu).

Source: The Shrimp List (a mailing list for shrimp farmers).  Subject: [shrimp] National Shellfish Association - Call for Papers.  July 29, 2008.

United States

Hawaii—Partial Harvest Decision System

In this paper, researchers discuss a spreadsheet-based decision support system (DSS) that helps shrimp farmers explore the potential of partial harvests.  While accounting for densities, growth and survival, the system is capable of identifying the optimal single batch harvesting schedule and the optimal partial harvesting schedule for intensive and semi-intensive shrimp farms.  The researchers applied the DSS to a commercial shrimp farm in Hawaii and found that it was easy to adapt it to the farms’s managerial conditions and objectives.

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 http://www.was.org).

Source: World Aquaculture Society.  The CD of Aquaculture 2008 America (Orlando, Florida, USA, February 2008).  Abstract 447.  A Decision Support System for Optimal Partial Harvesting in Intensive Shrimp Culture.  Run Yu (run@hawaii.edu), PingSun Leung, Paul Bienfang and Lotus Kam (Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore 111 Honolulu, HI 96822 USA).

United States

South Carolina—Organic Shrimp Experiment

In Pritchardville, Don Smith has 100,000 shrimp in a backyard pond.  It’s an experiment conducted with the help of the Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton, a marine research facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources.  “The idea is to try and combine natural productivity with new and innovative feeds that meet organic standards to produce environmentally friendly shrimp,” said Department of Natural Resources biologist Craig Browdy.  Most farm-raised shrimp are fed fish meal, Browdy said.  But Smith’s shrimp get an organic diet of algae oils, soybean and wheat products, vitamins and amino acids.  “The benefit for growers is it gives them an advantage over an imported product,” Browdy said.  “In order to compete, whether you are a shrimper or a farmer, you’ve got to be able to produce something that’s different—quality, local, fresh and healthy.”  Waddell has been researching the diet for two years.

Waddell stocked Smith’s one-acre pond in early July 2008.  Al Stokes, manager of the Waddell Center and a wildlife biologist for the state Department of Natural Resources, said he expects a 75 percent survival rate and a harvest of around 3,000 pounds of 20/30 count shrimp.  As part of the agreement with Waddell, Smith must abide by the center’s diet standards and feed the shrimp twice a day.  Smith will pocket the proceeds from the sale of the shrimp, after turning 100 pounds over to Waddell for research.

Source: The Charlotte Observer.  Farm gives ‘green’ shrimp a go.  July 28, 2008.

United States

Texas—Job, Senior Position at an Integrated Shrimp Farm in Latin America

Aquaculture Connection (“Career Center Resource for the Aquaculture Industry”) has been retained by a leading global shrimp producer to find a Technical Director for a large, shrimp farm and hatchery in Latin America.  This is an incredible opportunity that requires a superstar from the shrimp world.

We are looking for someone that has demonstrated success at a large integrated shrimp farm.  The successful candidate must have a track record of improving production, while reducing feed consumption and focusing on driving down production costs.

Established in the 1980s, the company doing the hiring has experienced major growth over the past five years and has worked hard to establish a diversified, global market for its finished product.  The company is willing to reward the perfect candidate with an outstanding compensation package.

The full job description in English and Spanish appears on AquacultureConnection’s website (at the link below).

Source: AquacultureConnection.com.  Technical Director/Generete Tecnico, shrimp farm an hatchery.  July 5, 2008.

United States

Texas—Shrimp Farming Short Course Agenda

The 23rd Annual Texas Shrimp Farming Short Course and, for the first time, the Marine Finfish Culture Course will be conducted at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas on September 10-15, 2008.  The marine finfish culture curriculum was added to the course this year due to popular demand and will include three to four marine finfish instructors giving lectures and laboratory demonstrations. To download a copy of the final agenda click here.

Information: Visit the Texas Sea Grant web site for more details, or contact Granvil Treece, Aquaculture Specialist, Texas A&M University, Sea Grant College Program (phone 979-845-7527, email g-treece@tamu.edu).

Source: Email with PDF attachment from Granvil Treece (above) on July 7, 2008.

United States

Washington State—USA Per Capita Consumption of Shrimp 2003–2007

2003 = 4.00 pounds

2004 = 4.20 pounds

2005 = 4.10 pounds

2006 = 4.40 pounds

2007 = 4.10 pounds

Source: Seafood Trend Newsletter (independent coverage of the seafood market since 1984, 8227 Ashworth Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103-4434 USA, phone 206-523-2280, fax 206-526-8719, email seafoodtrend@aol.com).  Editor, Ken Talley.  June 28, 2008.

United States

Washington State, World Aquaculture Society Meeting

At Aquaculture America 2009 (Seattle, Washington, February 15-19, 2009), the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), the USA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will convene a special session on Alternative Feedstuffs for Aquaculture.  WAS’s Plant Products in Aquafeeds Working Group (PPA) is soliciting papers for this session that will discuss alternatives to fishmeal (including but not limited to plants, algae, yeasts, insects and fisheries byproducts).

For a copy of the Plant Products in Aquafeed Strategic Research Plan go to: http://www.aquafeed.com/documents/1183416077_1.doc.  For more information on the NOAA-USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative, go to: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov/news/feeds.html.

Information: Diane Bellis, NOAA Aquaculture Program (phone 304-275-3087, email dbellis@agsourceinc.com); or Mark Carter, Agsource, Inc. (phone 301-713-9079, extension 221, email mark.carter@noaa.gov).

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 https://www.was.org/meetings/ConferenceInfo.asp?MeetingCode=AA2008).

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from John Cooksey on July 27, 2008.

United States

Somewhere—The Shrimp Farm

TheShrimpFarm.com strives to be the leading resource for accurate and reliable information on “dwarf shrimp” farming (see Portugal, above), an industry with a rapid grow rate.  The site contains pictures and information on eleven species of dwarf shrimp that it has grown at its hatchery.

Information: Dan@TheShrimpFarm.com.

Source: TheShrimpFarm.com.  Webpage (http://www.theshrimpfarm.com/).  Website Visit on July 28, 2008.

Vietnam

Prime Minister Visits Shrimp Farms

On July 26, 2008, Nguyen Tan Dung, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, said Ca Mau province should take advantage of its coastal resources by developing aquaculture, particularly giant tiger shrimp farming.  Only 1,000 hectares of the province’s 250,000 hectares of shrimp-farming area currently use modern technology, Dung said.  He said Ca Mau should have 10,000 hectares of ponds using modern technology by 2010 and 20,000 hectares by 2015.

Sources: 1. Vietnam Net Bridge.  PM urges CA Mau to develop aquaculture.  July 27, 2008.  2. Thanhnien News.  Vietnam PM encourages development in CA Mau.  Truong Phong.  July 28, 2008.

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