Shrimp Diseases in Asia

Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report

The sixth meeting of the Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health was held on December 12-14, 2007, at the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.  The meeting addressed key aquatic animal health issues in Asia.

The report from the meeting includes current information on the status of shrimp diseases in the following countries:

The following summary provides some highlights on the status of shrimp diseases in the region:

• Yellowhead virus (YHV) and whitespot syndrome virus (WSSV) are lethal to all cultivated shrimp in the region.  Six geographical types of YHV have been identified.  In Thailand, YHV-1 is considered to be highly virulent; in Australia, YHV-II (called “gill associated virus”, GAV) causes problems.  All other types of YHV are considered to be nonvirulent.

• Taura syndrome virus (TSV) is still an important problem for Penaeus vannamei, although domesticated stocks of vannamei are highly tolerant.  Even though TSV is known to infect P. monodon, P. japonicus and Macrobrachium rosenbergii, its effects in these species has been insignificant, and no cases have been reported since 1998.

• TSV outbreaks appear to originate from postlarvae that are not specific pathogen free (SPF), although carriers such as wild crabs, which have been shown to be susceptible to long-term infection, may play an important role.

• IMNV (infectious myonecrosis virus) is the most recent threat in the region.  IMNV was first reported in Brazil in 2002, where gradual mortality reached up to 70%.  In Indonesia, IMNV was reported for the first time in June 2006.  From its close similarity (99.6%) with the Brazilian strain, it may have been introduced with shrimp from Brazil.  It has been reported on vannamei farms in Java and Sumatra.  PCR kits are available in the region for screening PLs for IMNV.

• Muscle cramp syndrome, similar in pathology and clinical appearance to IMNV, has been reported in many countries.  This condition, for unknown reasons, is common in vannamei that test negative for IMNV.

• Vannamei nodavirus (PvNV), first reported in Belize in 2004, is indistinguishable from IMNV in gross signs and histopathology, but it has not been reported in Asia.

• Abdominal segment deformity disease (ASDD) has been reported in Thailand and Indonesia in vannamei.  The appearance of affected shrimp is similar to infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), except there is no retarded growth and no bent rostra.  PCR tests for IHHNV are negative as are PCR and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) tests for other viruses including IMNV, PvNV and Laem Singh necrosis virus (LSNV).  Many viral-like particles are found in the muscle and ventral nerve cord.  It appears to be caused by a new pathogen originating from natural Asian carrier species.  Although it does not affect survivals, the occurrence of ASDD on vannamei farms in Thailand and Indonesia is associated with deformities that lead to a reduction in market prices of about $0.32 a kilo.

• IHHNV is an emerging problem for vannamei in the Philippines.

• For monodon, WSSV and YHV are still considered the most serious pathogens.  The next most serious is MSGS (monodon slow growth syndrome), followed by HPV (hepatopancreatic parvovirus) and MBV (monodon baculovirus), which don’t appear to cause mortality, but they do retard growth.

• MSGS is a significant problem in Thailand, and possibly in some other monodon farming countries like India.  Recent results have shown that small shrimp from MSGS ponds show retinopathy (noninflammatory damage to the retina).  They are positive by RT-PCR for LSNV and also show strong in situ hybridization reactions in necrotic retinas.  Large shrimp from the same ponds are also positive for LSNV by RT-PCR, but show no retinopathy.  Shrimp from normal growth ponds may also be positive by RT-PCR but show no retinopathy.  Therefore, LSNV appears to be associated with MSGS, but the possibility of involvement of other factors (including pathogens) is being studied.  Further work in this direction is underway.  LSNV has also been reported by some other countries in the region.

• Nonpathogenic YHV (type-4) and an unknown, icosahedral, viral-like particle associated with tegumental glands (tentatively called tegumental gland associated virus) are being investigated for their role as potential partners with LSNV in causing MSGS.

• A new Macrobrachium baculovirus and HPV have been detected in the region.

• Milky lobster disease (MLD) has been reported recently from caged lobsters in Vietnam ($10 million losses).  It appears to be caused by a new rickettsia-type bacterium.  An intensive research program is underway in Vietnam.

• NHP does not occur, but it is considered to be a potential threat to shrimp farming in the region.

• Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) was considered to be a serious problem in freshwater prawn farming in parts of the region.  MrNV is capable of infecting monodon, but to date, there is no evidence of disease.

Information: The full report, which contains more information on the location and severity of the above disease outbreaks, is a free download through the NACA website (http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=132&lid=915).

Publishers: Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Suraswadi Building, Department of Fisheries, Kasetsart University Campus, Ladyao, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome 00100, Italy.

Source: Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report (Asia and Pacific Region, July-September 2007).  January 2008.

Country Reports

Bangladesh

Regulating Shrimp Hatcheries

The government is considering a new law to regulate the shrimp hatchery industry.  Here are some of the law’s provisions.

• Hatchery owners found guilty of using illegal antibiotics will be fined from $363 to $1,455.

• Hatchery owners will have to obtain licenses from authorities to run their businesses and government inspectors will be authorized to inspect hatcheries and their infrastructure at any time.

• Hatchery owners must disclose the names and sources of all the chemicals they use in their hatcheries.

• All hatcheries will be subject to regular inspections.

• The inspectors will also collect and inspect samples of shrimp.

The proposed law has been sent to the Law Commission, and the government may approve it soon.  Abul Bashar, executive director of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association, said the exporters have been demanding this law for a long time.

The shrimp farming industry faces many challenges, one of which is compliance with European Union import standards.

Source: The Daily Star.  Law on cards to fine errant shrimp hatcheries (http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=19857).  Jasim Uddin Khan.  January 19, 2008.

Bangladesh

Cyclone Sidr, 6,000 Shrimp Farms Washed Away

Two months after Cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh’s southwestern coast on November 15, 2007, the nearly 400,000 people working in the shrimp farming industry face an uncertain future.  Some 6,000 shrimp farms and hatcheries in the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat and Patuakhali were washed away.

In Morrelganj, Sharankhola and Mongla, sub-districts of Bagerhat District, over 90 percent of some 5,000 shrimp ponds were destroyed by the cyclone.

“We have suffered an estimated loss of about $36 million,” said Kazi Belayet Hossain, president of the Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA).

Maqsudur Rahman, vice-president of BFFEA, said almost all the shrimp ponds, hatcheries and processing plants in Bagerhat, Satkhira and Khulna districts were severely damaged by the cyclone, affecting close to 10 million people and leaving over 3,000 dead.

Shrimp farms in Barguna, Pirojpur, Madaripur and Gopalganj districts, where freshwater prawns are cultivated, incurred 30 percent of the losses, Rahman said.

Individual shrimp farmers, many of whom lost everything and were already heavily in debt, now face a particularly bleak future, wondering how they will care for their families.  Extremely poor, many borrowed money from shrimp exporters, and now they must repay the loans.  But that’s highly unlikely because their source of income—ponds and hatcheries—has been washed away.

“We need interest-free bank loans so that we can provide more loans to the farmers,” Belayet Hossain said, adding that the government should also offer direct and immediate support to the farmers.

The country’s Directorate of Fisheries (DoF) is working to assess the losses caused by Cyclone Sidr.  “According to our initial estimates, the loss may be around $3.5 million,” significantly less than what the shrimp farmers are claiming, said Mokammel Hossain, the DoF’s director general.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU), a major buyer of Bangladeshi shrimp, has hinted that it is ready to offer assistance to help the shrimp farmers recover their losses.  “We’ll certainly look into how we can help,” said Stefan Frowein, ambassador and European Commission (EC) delegation head in Dhaka, without going into much detail.  “It would be decided once the damage is assessed,” he said.

Bangladesh’s shrimp exports are the country’s second largest foreign exchange earner (after ready-made garments), earning $515 million during the last fiscal year (July 2006-June 2007).

Source: Reuters Alert Net.  Cyclone-hit shrimp farmers face uncertain future (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/3b2ecbffe06c4b3f64f0654b4e857351.htm).  January 16, 2008.

Brunei

Broodstock Development, Dr. George Chamberlain

Bandar Seri Begawan...On January 16, 2008, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, visited the country’s shrimp broodstock development center in Serasa.  Hjh Hasnah Ibrahim, the Director of Fisheries, Dr. George Chamberlain, technical director of Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI, a USA-based consulting company), and other senior officers from the Fisheries Department and the IAI team welcomed the minister and showed him around the facility.  The shrimp facility was built to produce tiger shrimp broodstock that are healthy and free of diseases.  The project has been running since February 2007.

The visitors were briefed on the production of tiger shrimp families, the construction and upgrading of quarantine facilities for shrimp, the establishment of an aquatic animal health center, and the construction of nutrition facilities.

The project has also helped Seiwa Corporation, Sdn., Bhd., a shrimp hatchery, increase its “rostris” [Penaeus stylirostris] production.  At present, it produces about 10 to 16 million PLs a month, enough to supply the entire shrimp farming industry, with some left over for export.

Source: BruneiDirect.com.  Aquaculture Production Shows Progress (http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Jan08/170108/nite16.htm).  January 17, 2008.

China

USA/China Agreement on Food and Feed Safety

In the January 2008 issue of Fish Farming International, Charles Woodhouse, the tabloid’s shrimp columnist, reports on the newly signed China/USA agreement on food and feed safety.

The USA/China Agreement on Food and Feed Safety governs the export to the USA of Chinese-produced human food and animal feeds.  It was signed on December 12, 2007, by the USA Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China.  Similar bilateral agreements will be signed by the FDA and regulatory authorities in other countries exporting to the USA.  This is coming—and soon.  At the core of the Congressional approach to this problem is a bilateral certification regime committing exporting countries to meet USA standards.

Companies that ignore these new realities will suffer, but those that comply will most likely have access to a “Green Lane” system that facilitates exports to the USA.

Here is a rundown of the key terms of the USA/China Agreement on Food and Feed Safety:

To enhance the safety of products sold in the USA, Chinese authorities will implement two programs: one on registration and one on certification, both subject to audit by HHS/FDA.

Registration will require exporters to the USA to register with AQSIQ and agree to annual inspections to ensure their goods meet USA standards.  AQSIQ will notify HHS/FDA of those that fail inspection, and why, and HHS/FDA will maintain an online list of registered companies.  AQSIQ will also notify HHS/FDA of all the companies that AQSIQ suspends from registered status.  To better contain and resolve safety problems, AQSIQ will implement a system to trace products from the source of production or manufacture to the point of exportation.

Certification is intended to ensure that products exported from China meet USA standards.  Once AQSIQ’s inspection bureau confirms that a shipment meets HHS/FDA requirements, it will issue a certificate that carries a unique identifying number, which AQSIQ must also file with HHS/FDA.  To avoid counterfeit certificates, both countries will work together to implement a secure electronic permit system.  AQSIQ will also develop a testing program that provides, as determined by HHS/FDA, a high level of statistical confidence in the quality of products exported to the USA.  HHS/FDA will notify AQSIQ when shipments of products exported to the USA are not certified, or come from a company not registered with AQSIQ.

Source: Fish Farming International (http://www.fishfarminginternational.com).  Editor, Kenny McCaffrey (kenny.mccaffrey@informa.com).  New World of Food Safety!/Key Terms of the Agreement.  Charles Woodhouse (email cfw@woodhouselaw.com, webpage www.lawyers.com/seafoodlaw).  Volume 35, Number 1, Pages 8 and 9, January 2008.

China

Crackdown on Antibiotics

China’s Ministry of Agriculture says a recent nationwide crackdown on the use of illegal veterinary drugs has significantly improved the quality and safety of the country’s seafood.

Regulators say that over the last year, more than 30,000 inspectors have fanned out across the country to close shoddy seafood operations and enforce regulations against the use of banned antibiotics, like chloramphenicol.

Officials from the ministry’s fisheries bureau say that pollution and water quality problems are now the biggest challenges facing the nation’s aquaculture industry, something they have rarely acknowledged in public.

“Water quality is the top issue for Chinese aquaculture,” Ding Xiaoming, the director of aquaculture in the fisheries bureau, said on January 15, 2008. “Without good water quality, Chinese aquaculture cannot develop.”

China also lashed out at the United States and other countries that have blocked its food exports, insisting that the vast majority are safe and meet quality standards and that the media coverage has often been sensational and distorted.

Ding said an article about China’s water quality problems in The New York Times was accurate.  But he called the headline, which read “In China, Farming Fish in Toxic Waters,” sensational and erroneous.  “I think your article was correct,” he said, but “it’s not scientific to say the water is toxic.”

The interview was cut short, however, when Ding began acknowledging other problems in the aquaculture industries.

Source: The New York Times.  China Says Its Seafood Is Safer (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/17/business/worldbusiness/17cnd-fish.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin).  David Barboza.  January 17, 2008.

Colombia

Protecting Shrimp Exporters from Volatile Exchange Rates

Andres Felipe Arias Leiva, the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, has announced the first stage of a $3 million project called “Income Protection Program for Exporting Agricultural Producers”.  Basically, it’s a program to protect tilapia and shrimp exporters from volatile exchange rates.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Colombian Government subsidizes exchange rate fluctuations for shrimp and tilapia exporters (translated by Angel Rubio Canas).  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  January 15, 2008.

Greece

A New Population of Artemia

This report evaluates a new population of Artemia and compares its performance with four existing populations of Artemia.  Five parthenogenetic* Artemia populations from five saltworks were studied: Alyki (the new population), Kalloni, Milos, Polychnitos and Messolongi.  The diameters of nondecapsulated and decapsulated cysts as well as the lengths of nauplii instar stages I, II and III were measured.  In addition, the fatty acid composition of decapsulated cysts was estimated.  The cyst size of the Alyki population was the smallest, but had the largest chorion found in Greece so far.  The Messolongi population had the largest cysts and the smallest chorion of all five populations.  The diameter of the nondecapsulated cysts was highly related (P<0.01) to the length of the nauplii instar I, II and III.  The diameter of decapsulated cysts was found to be the most stable and reliable biometric characteristic.  The study of their fatty acids profiles revealed that the Polychnitos and Messolongi populations were suitable as live food for freshwater species, while the Alyki, Milos and Kalloni populations were suitable for marine species, having high levels (8.9%, 11.2% and 12.5%, respectively) of eicosapentaenoic acid and detectable amounts (0.3%, 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively) of docosahexaenoic acid.

*Parthenogenetic: an asexual form of reproduction found in females where growth and development of an embryo or seed occurs without fertilization by males.

Source: Electronical Larviculture Newsletter (http://www.rug.ac.be/aquaculture).  Editor Gilbert Van Stappen (gilbert.vanstappen@ugent.be).  Fatty Acid Composition and Biometry of Five Greek Artemia Populations Suitable for Aquaculture Purposes.  Maria Moraiti-Ioannidou, Jeanne Castritsi-Catharios (cathario@biol.uoa.gr), Hellen Miliou and Yannis P. Kotzamanis (Department of Biology, Sector of Zoology, Marine Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University Campus, Athens 15784, Greece).  Issue 279, December 15, 2007.

India

Specific Pathogen Free Seed Multiplication Center

With assistance from the National Fisheries Development Board, the Government is going to set up a specific pathogen free seed multiplication center for Penaeus monodon in Andhra Pradesh as part of a joint venture with the USA-based Moana Technologies.  The $7.6 million center will be located near Sompeta in Srikakulam District.

In Andhra Pradesh, over the last decade, shrimp have been hit hard by the whitespot virus, shrinking the industry to 24,000 hectares from a high of 78,000 hectares.

Source: Business Line.  SEZ to be set up for marine products in AP (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/09/stories/2008010950681300.htm).  January 8, 2008.

India

Farm For Sale

A. Haroonal Rasheed (livingdollar@gmail.com): I want to sell my 50-acre shrimp farm in Andhra Pradesh, including aerators, generators, cables, wells, pumps and power facilities.  The farm has a salinity of 25 parts per thousand and is suitable for semi-intensive farming.

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from A. Haroonal Rasheed on January 12, 2008.

Iran

Wanted—Feed for Penaeus indicus

Ali Reza (ali_reza8045@yahoo.com): I want to purchase Penaeus indicus feed for the coming season.  I am looking for a new supplier with good prices and good feeds.

Source: The Shrimp List (a mailing list for shrimp farmers, “shrimp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com”).  Subject: [shrimp] feed for shrimp.  From: Ali Reza (ali_reza8045@yahoo.com).  January 15, 2008.

Malaysia

Farmers Abandoning Tiger Shrimp Farming

In the state of Kuching, poor demand is forcing some tiger shrimp farmers out of business, said Assistant Minister of Agriculture Datuk Dublin Unting Ingkot.

On January 17, 2008, without giving the number of those affected, Unting said the local tiger shrimp industry was falling victim to an overseas campaign that claimed farmers were using banned substances in their ponds.  “There is a campaign overseas claiming that farmers...were using some poisonous substance.  The Malaysian government has countered the claims but until today we are not successful,” he said.

According to Unting, only a few tiger shrimp farmers are still operating.  The rest could not sustain the annual losses, especially after Japan, their best customer, imposed restriction on Malaysian shrimp.

Source: The Borneo Post.  More abandoning tiger prawn farming (http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=29967).  Churchill Edward.  January 19, 2008.

Mexico

New Date for the International Shrimp Culture Symposium and Trade Show

The new date for the Ninth International Shrimp Culture Symposium and Trade Show in Los Mochis, Sonora, Mexico, is June 2-4, 2008.  Previous symposiums in this series have been held in Nicaragua (2003 and 2007), Belize (2004) and Panama (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2005).  Manuel Alzamora, Jr., president of Grupo de Ferias, Congresos y Eventos, S.A., has skillfully managed all of them.  He says the May symposium will have the support of the shrimp farming industry, the Government of Mexico and company sponsors.  Speakers are invited on production, nutrition, fertilization, genetics, pathology, whitespot, biosecurity, the environment, regulations, organic farming, new markets and diseases.

Information: To get on the mailing list for all communications on the symposium and for information on the trade show, contact Manuel Alzamora, Jr., in Panama (phone 507-236-7845, cell 507-66126919, fax 507-236-6652, email mailto:malzamora@gfcepanama.com, webpage http://www.gfcepanama.com).

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from Manuel Alzamora, Jr., on January 19, 2008.

South Africa

SeaArk’s Plans Slowed by Permit Delay

SeaArk is developing a billion dollar shrimp farm in South Africa.  It has already purchased $6 million worth of equipment, but has only used about $3 million worth of it because of delays in getting its environmental permit updated from a pilot facility to a full-scale production facility.  SeaArk says the slow process has stunted the growth of the project and prevented the employment of 3,000 people.

Source: Engineering News.  Agroprocessing/Aquaculture/World first commercially closed shrimp farm in SA (http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=123635).  Brindaveni Naidoo (edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu).  January 18, 2008.

South Africa

SeaArk Signs Second Technology Transfer Contract

On January 20, 2008, SeaArk, a pilot-scale, high-tech shrimp farm near Port Elizabeth, announced the signing of a second contract for its computer controlled shrimp farming system.

In an agreement worth $10 million, SeaArk will develop a pilot-scale shrimp farm at the existing open-pond shrimp farm of the Saudi Arabian Al Faulk Group in Jeddah.

“The pilot project will establish the commercial viability of SeaArk’s advanced closed pond technology in farming a Mediterranean brown shrimp variety known as Penaeus indicus,” the company said in a statement.

The biosecure technology to be deployed in the Al Faulk pilot project is the same as the technology used by SeaArk at its pilot-scale farm in South Africa.

Source: Business.Iafrica.com.  Companies/From Parktown to the World (http://business.iafrica.com/news/807294.htm).  Sapa.  January 21, 2008.

Thailand

Job—Epicore BioNetworks

Epicore BioNetworks, Inc., a USA-corporation that supplies probiotics and hatchery feeds to shrimp farmers worldwide, has a position open for a salesman in Thailand and the surrounding region.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Closing Date: Saturday, March 1, 2008.

Qualifications: (1) minimum of 5 years experience selling products to aquaculture operations, (2) bachelor’s degree in aquaculture or related biological discipline, (3) extensive knowledge of shrimp farming, and (4) fluency in English and one or more of the local languages.

Description: Development of sales in Asia in conjunction with Epicore’s sales representatives and distributors.

Information: William (Bill) P. Long, Chief Executive Officer, Epicore BioNetworks, Inc., 4 Lina Lane, East Hampton, NJ 08060 USA (phone 609-267-9118, fax 609-267-9336, ext. 12, email william.long@epicorebionetworks.com, webpage http://www.epicorebionetworks.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).  Asia Regional Sales Manager (http://aquanic.org/jobs/jobinfo.asp?jobid=2703).  Posted January 14, 2008.

Thailand

Farmers Unite to Sell Directly to Consumers

Thai shrimp farmers and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) have joined forces in a project aimed at boosting domestic shrimp consumption by 25%—by selling directly to consumers.  Currently, domestic consumption accounts for around 50,000 tons a year.  With shrimp export margins down because of the baht’s appreciation, farmers hope to increase domestic consumption, said Pinyo Kiatpinyo, chairman of the White Shrimp Producers Club.

Currently, around 90% of the 500,000 tons of shrimp produced each year are exported.  Pinyo said domestic consumption amounted to 0.8 kilograms per person per year, compared to 2.8 kilos in the United States and 3.0 kilos in Japan.

“If we can increase domestic consumption by just 0.2 kilograms per person per year, we would expand the local market by 12,000 tons per year, or 25%.  Within three years, domestic sales could double to 100,000 tons annually,” Pinyo said.

Teerapong Tungteerasunun, the president of BAAC, encouraged small shrimp farmers to form cooperatives to boost their bargaining power.

Five cooperatives have already joined forces with the bank, representing 1,200 farmers nationwide.  The cooperatives are trying to build up wholesale sales in Pathum Thani and to link up with 200 retailers nationwide.

BAAC offers farmers credit support to finance production upgrades and the adoption of good aquaculture practices.

Pinyo said shrimp farmers selling directly to consumers could reduce retail prices by as much as 15%, as intermediaries are eliminated.  He said 100 shrimp at a modern supermarket might cost consumers $4.45 to $4.58, but purchasing the same amount directly from a cooperative costs just $3.87.  For the farmers, profit margins from direct sales would rise to $3.06 per 100 shrimp compared to $2.74, if they were to sell to wholesalers.

Pinyo said farmers participating in the program must comply with good aquaculture practices and production quotas set by the cooperative to minimize price volatility.  “Even though the number of farmers under the cooperative program is relatively small, 1,200 out of the estimated 25,000 farmers nationwide, we are confident that we can grow to eventually be a key factor in setting market prices,” he said.

Source: Bangkok Post.  Thai farmers unite to boost local shrimp sales.  Wichit Chantanusornsiri.  January 17, 2008.

United States

Florida—Shrimp Farming Sessions at the WAS Meeting in Orlando

Scheduled for February 10-12, 2008, “Aquaculture 2008” in Orlando will have three days of shrimp farming sessions.  For the complete shrimp program and registration information, click the above link.

Source: Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International, January 15, 2008.

United States

Nevada—Ganix’s Webpage

On November 15, 2007, the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Ganix Bio-Technologies, LLC, for a shrimp farm that will be housed in two 50,000 square-foot buildings with 72 indoor shrimp ponds in Pahrump, Nevada.

Ganix’s webpage shows that the company has five divisions: Golf and Lakes, Home and Garden, Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Equestrian and Odor.  Here’s some information from its page on the aquaculture division:

“Our environmentally friendly technology focuses on the development of intensive shrimp aquaculture that is compatible and protective of the social, cultural and economic interests of coastal communities.  This will ensure that such developments are sustainable, socially equitable and ecologically sound.”

“With the use of Ganix technology, the need for chemicals and antibiotics will be eliminated.”

“Our primary aquaculture product is saltwater shrimp, consisting of a 120 day growing cycle and three growing cycles per year.  With our unique production process, our goal is to supply fresh...shrimp to our customers daily, throughout the year.  The unique process also allows Ganix to build a low cost shrimp aquaculture facility that is easily scaleable and replicated within close proximity of major markets.  The sustainability of the process could eliminate a large portion of the United States reliance on the purchase of seafood products from abroad.  The process is conducted with zero impact on the environment because there is zero water discharge.  All waste is managed within the closed system.”

“Shrimp will be produced in the most popular sizes: 16-20 count per pound, 26-30 count per pound, 31-50 count per pound....”

“Ganix aquaculture growth plan includes an expansion of our research and development facility in Newburg, North Dakota, as well as construction of a full-scale production facility in...Nevada.  The Nevada facility will be Ganix’s first full-scale, commercial production facility to raise Pacific white shrimp.”

“Ganix Bio-Technologies has a self-contained manufacturing facility located in Salton City, California.  On-site operation includes a fully equipped laboratory, manufacturing, packaging and warehousing of Ganix products under quality controlled conditions.”

Information: Scott McManus, Chief Executive Officer, Ganix Bio-Technologies, LLC., 5275 South Durango Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89113, USA (phone 702-304-2649, fax 702-384-2650, email scottm@ganix.net, webpage http://www.ganix.net).  Managing members of Ganix: Parwaiz Shaukat, President; Randy Black, Jr., Executive Vice President; Adrian Zettell, Chief Operating Officer; and Beau Dempsey, Senior Scientist and Director of Operations.

Source: Ganix’s webpage.  Site Visit on January 15, 2008.

United States

New Jersey—Healthcare Providers Direct, Virus Test Kits

Healthcare Providers Direct, Inc., sells the following PCR and RT-PCR primer kits for diagnosing shrimp viruses.

• Simplex PCR Primer Kits are available for WSSV, IHHNV, NHP, HPV and BP.  Basic Kit $225.00.  Regular Kit $650.00.

• Multiplex PCR Primer Kits are available for (combined) HPV-IHHNV-NHP-WSSV.  Basic Kit $350.  Regular Kit $1,500.

• RT-PCR Primer Kits are available for TSV and YHV.  Basic Kit $225.  Regular Kit $1,500.

Information: Healthcare Providers Direct, Inc., 3371 Route 1, Suite 200, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 USA (phone, toll-free 866-358-9282, email info@healthcareprovidersdirect.com, website www.shrimpdiagnostics.com).

Sources: 1. Email to Shrimp News International from Healthcare Providers Direct, Inc., on January 21, 2008.  2. Healthcare Providers Direct, Inc., Webpage on January 21, 2008.

United States

Washington State—Steve Newman’s Webpage

Dr. Stephen Newman, president of AquaInTech, Inc., provides “Consulting Services for the Global Aquaculture Industry.”  Here are some notes from his webpage:

AquaInTech was founded in 1996 to market products for the improvement of shrimp and fish health and to improve final product quality.  I have almost 30 years of experience in all facets of finfish and crustacean culture, including, but not limited to, site selection, production issues, animal husbandry, water quality, animal health and disease prevention, genetics, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, diagnostic technologies, vaccine development and implementation of protocols that enhance productivity.  My perspective is global, having worked with more than 100 companies in Europe, Canada, the USA, South and Central America and Southeast Asia.

AquaInTech supplies a variety of products to the international aquaculture community at competitive prices.  It works with distributors in many countries and sells direct where distributors do not handle our products.

As an auditor and certifier for the Aquaculture Certification Council, I have audited processing plants in four countries and the first shrimp farms in Thailand.

In some cases, it is best to undergo a preaudit before embarking on a full-blown audit for compliance with ACC.  This entails examining the operation from the perspective of what is required to comply with the ACC audit and ensuring that the company is ready to pass the audit the first time with a minimal amount of problems.  I am one of only a few auditors that has a doctorate in microbiology and a depth of experience in all facets of production.  While conducting a preaudit, I can also do a technical operational audit that focuses on general issues of productivity geared towards enhancing your profitability.

I can also help you position your product for sale into the global aquaculture industry and coordinate field trials through our extensive network of global contacts developed over the last 30 years.

Here are some of the projects that Newman has worked on:

Brazil 2004, Aqualider: We developed a mixture of feed supplements that when used in conjunction with a nonenriched Artemia biomass, squid and mussels produced high quality nauplii.  This product completely replaces marine worms in the diet of broodstock and results in highly fecund females that produce high quality nauplii.  It is commercially available and in use.

Ecuador 1999-2001, SONGA, Naturisa, El Rosario and Mar Bravito: A program was devised to select for rapidly growing Penaeus vannamei using conventional statistics based on mass selection techniques.  This was done with a large group in Ecuador (more than 10,000 hectares) that had the resources to ensure sufficient numbers of animals could be tested and evaluated.  This was the first project of its kind in Ecuador and led the way for others to follow.

Belize 2006-2007, Royal Mayan Shrimp Farms: Development of tools for improving water quality in shrimp ponds.  Testing and development of a tableted blend of spore forming bacteria under field conditions to determine optimal delivery and assess impacts on productivity.

Nicaragua 2006, Camanica: Audit of probiotic production methods.  Evaluation of technology being used in a farm environment.

Suriname 2007, In 2007, I was hired as an independent aquaculture expert for a South African bank to evaluate the viability of a closed system project to produce P. monodon under construction in Suriname.  This entailed a thorough review of the project from construction through production to final marketing phases of finished product.

Here are some of the products that Newman markets:

• Shrimple ELISA for rapid on site detection of WSSV (White Spot Syndrome Virus)

• Custom formulated diets for larval fish and shrimp

• Pro 4000 X Tablets, a probiotic that reduces sludge

• A maturation mixture proven to eliminate the need for marine worms in penaeid broodstock nutrition

Information: Stephen G. Newman, Ph.D., AquaInTech, Inc., 6722 162nd Place SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037 USA (phone 425-787-5218, mobile 425-239-7682, fax 425-741-0857, email sgnewm@hotmail.com, webpage http://www.shrimpaquaculture.com).

Source: Steve Newman’s Webpage.  Site Visit on January 14, 2008.

Vietnam

Oil Spill Threatens 1,700 Hectares of Shrimp Ponds

Some 1,700 hectares of shrimp farms in six villages in Long An Province are being threatened by an oil spill caused by a collision between two oil transport barges during the week of January 6-12, 2008.

The spill has already hit shrimp farms in the villages of Tan Chanh, Phuoc Tuy, Tan An, Phuoc Dong, Long Huu Dong and Long Huu Tay—all in Can Duoc District.

The oil has been absorbed into the soil of some 1,000 hectares of shrimp farms in Tan Chanh village.  Farmers there said they could not raise shrimp any more as their water is heavily polluted.

Source: The Saigon Times Daily.  Oil spill threatens 1,700 hectares of shrimp in Long An (http://www.saigontimes.com.vn/daily/detail.asp?muc=2&Sobao=3112&SoTT=10).  Van Nam.  January 16, 2008.

Vietnam

Ca Mau Seafood to Set Up Shop in the USA

The Ca Mau Seafood Joint Stock Company has been licensed to invest $900,000 to set up an importing and distributing seafood business in the USA.  The company, with charter capital of over $6 million, is one of the most successful seafood companies in Ca Mau Province.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  A second large Vietnamese seafood company setting up U.S. operation.  Ken Coons (phone 781-861-1441, email kencoons@seafood.com).  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  January 21, 2008.

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