You Can Name This New Species of Shrimp

Have you ever wanted to name your very own species of shrimp?  Now is your chance!  Yes, that’s right, you could name this newly discovered spotted shrimp—and help save ocean wildlife in the process.  PhD student Anna McCallum discovered the spotted shrimp in the waters off southwest Australia, and she has decided to auction off the right to name it.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society will host an online auction on Ebay for the right to name the new species.  It will begin 9:00 a.m. on March 22 and end at 9:00 a.m. on March 31, 2009 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).  After the start date of the auction, click here for more information.  Scroll to the bottom of the page that appears and enter “Shrimp Auction” in the Search box.

Proceeds from this auction will go towards protecting Western Australia’s oceans.  The region is incredibly special, with over 80% of its species found nowhere else on the planet.

You could name the shrimp after yourself or perhaps a loved one.  The scientific name of every species has two parts, the genus name, which is capitalized and italicized, and the species name, which is not capitalized, but still italicized.  For example, humans belong to genus “Homo” and the species “sapiens”, hence Homo sapiens.

When a species is named after a person, the name is usually given a Latin ending.  It is possible to use either the first name or the surname of a person.  The ending depends on the gender of the person being honored.  For males the ending is generally formed by adding the letter “i” and for females by adding the letters “ae”.   David becomes “davidi”, and Margaret becomes “margaretae”.  The genus of the spotted shrimp is Lebbeus, so if the winning bidder chose to name it after a friend named “David”, the shrimp would become Lebbeus davidi.

Source: 1. The Advocate (not GAA’s Global Aquaculture Advocate).  Name this new sea creature.  Kue Davis.  March 10, 2009.  2. The website of the Australian Marine Conservation Society.  Name a new species of shrimp.  Site visit on March 11, 2009.

Country Reports

Australia

Queensland—Mullet Used to Keep Shrimp Ponds Clean

This one-minute, sixteen-second video shows Michael Burke, a researcher at the Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre in Queensland, stocking mullet in a commercial shrimp pond to see if the mullet will consume wasted feed and other debris in the pond.

Information: Michael Burke, Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre, 144 North Street, Woorim, Queensland 4507, Australia (phone +61-7-3400-2000, fax +61-7-3408-3535, email bribie@dpi.qld.gov.au, webpage http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/far/12263.html).

Source: YouTube.  Mullet clean prawn farms 7 news.  February 22, 2009.

Bangladesh

Job—Consultant, Nitrofuran Analysis with LCMS MS

The Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation has a position open for a consultant to work on nitrofuran analysis of shrimp with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS MS).  The Foundation will provide travel costs, accommodations and remuneration commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The consultant will work with shrimp farmers, feed mills, processing plants and scientists to critically analyze the following:

• Nitrofuran sources

• Nitrofuran paths to shrimp

• Shrimp sampling techniques

• Accuracy of equipment

• Appropriateness of lab procedures

• Appropriateness of lab protocols

At the end of the consultancy, the consultant will be required to file a report with detailed findings and recommendations.

Information: Mahmudul Karim, Executive Director, Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation, House 465 (First Floor), Road 8 East, DOHS-Baridhara, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh (phone 880-2-9887731, mobile 01711-590366, fax 880-2-9892709, email arim@shrimpfoundation.org, webpage www.shrimpfoundation.org).

Source: Email to Shrimp News International from Dr. Mahmudul Karim on February 28, 2009.

Ecuador

Shrimp Farmers Looking for New Opportunities

On February 28, 2009, Cesar Monge, President of the National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA), and Eduardo Egas, Foreign Commerce Vice Minister, met in Guayaquil to discuss the problems currently affecting the shrimp farming industry and to identify new markets for Ecuadorian shrimp.

The fall in shrimp exports to the USA and Europe, plus the drop in shrimp prices on the international market, are causes of great concern for shrimp industry executives.

According to official data, Ecuadorian shrimp exports fell 20 percent in December 2008 and January 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis.

“The commercial opportunities and new market niches are in Russia, Mexico and the Middle East,” Egas said.

Meanwhile, however, the most important markets for Ecuadorian shrimp continue to be the USA and Europe, which together import more than 90 percent of Ecuador’s shrimp.

According to the Central Bank of Ecuador, shrimp exports in 2008 totaled $667 million.  The USA, Ecuador’s biggest customer, accounted for $257 million and Spain, the second biggest customer, for $134 million.  Italy followed with $99.6 million; Russia imported $3.1 million.

Source: FIS United States.  Shrimp industry look out for new opportunities.  Analia Murias (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  March 3, 2009.

Indonesia

USA Customs Knows That CP Prima Didn’t Transship Shrimp!

In December 2008, USA Customs officials accused Indonesia’s largest shrimp producer, CP Prima, of illegally transshipping Penaeus vannamei from China to the United States.  Freddy Numberi, Indonesia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, has called on USA Customs to retract the accusations.  According to an investigation carried out by USA Customs in Indonesia, the original accusation was false.  “They have found that the claims were wrong, although we are still waiting for an official announcement,” Numberi said in Jakarta on February 26, 2009.

“US Customs needs to be fair about this and publicly announce that Indonesia’s shrimp industry is not involved in transshipment,” Numberi said.

Fajar Reksoprodjo, CP Prima’s corporate communications manager, expressed confidence in the legality of CP Prima’s operations.  “We produce enough shrimp ourselves to meet our USA export quota,” he said on February 26, 2009.  “We cooperated with them right from the start and showed them that we have never been involved in transshipment.  Therefore, we were quite happy to have USA Customs inspecting our shrimp farms and factories.”

Source: FIS United States.  CP Prima innocent, minister insists.  Denise Recalde (email editorial@fis.com, webpage http://www.fis.com).  February 27, 2009.

South Africa

SeaArk’s Billion Dollar Farm, Construction “Imminent”

SeaArk, which is developing a billion dollar, high-tech shrimp farm (Penaeus vannamei) near Port Elizabeth, expects to receive its environmental permit in March 2009.  This report implied that the beginning of construction was “imminent”.

The Coega Development Corporation, which is developing the industrial park where the shrimp farm will be located, has been dealt a severe blow as several lucrative projects earmarked for the park are on hold because of the global economic crisis.

Source: Weekend Post.  Coega projects stall amid smelter fears.  Brian Hayward.  February 28, 2009.

United States

California—Art Lowe (1936-2009)

Arthur W. Lowe, 72, of Palm Desert, California, died on February 18, 2009.  Lowe was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on August 25, 1936, and graduated from Regis High School, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin Law School.

After graduation from law school, Lowe was an investment banker in New York City at Smith Barney and then a founding partner of Lineberger and Lowe, Inc.  In 1972, he moved his family to Kahuku, Hawaii, on the north shore of Oahu.  There he took over an old sugar plantation and converted it into a hybrid corn seed operation—and later helped pioneer shrimp farming in Hawaii, Ecuador and Malaysia.

Source: Leader-Telegram (serving Eau Claire, Wisconsin).  Arthur Lowe.  February 23, 2009.

United States

California—Brine Shrimp Protein Absorbs Heavy Metals

A protein found in brine shrimp (Artemia salina), when placed on a membrane, is able to instantaneously bind toxic metals as a contaminated solution, such as lead-contaminated water, is passed through it.

Roger Acey, a Cal State Long Beach biochemistry and chemistry professor, has discovered a metallothinein-like protein (a protein capable of binding heavy metals) in brine shrimp that binds lead, arsenic and mercury, but lets biologically essential minerals pass right through.

Acey discovered the protein when he noticed brine shrimp living in a water solution containing high levels of toxic metals.  “We couldn’t figure out why,” Acey said.  “Then we realized that they make a protein that protects them against the toxic metal.”  The protein can even bind precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum, which can then be recovered!

The protein is “safe for the environment.  It’s a naturally occurring product,” Acey said.  “Once you have a membrane with the protein, you can recover the metal by rinsing the membrane in a little bit of vinegar.”

Numerous patents have been filed on the process, and Acey is in the process of commercializing the technology.

Information: Dr. Roger Acey, California State University/Long Beach, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90840, USA (phone 1-562-985-4945, email racey@csulb.edu).

Sources: 1. Daily49er.com.  Professor finds remedy for cleaner drinking water.  Matthew Mesa.  March 2, 2009.  2. Telephone conversation with Dr. Acey on March 9, 2009.

United States

Hawaii—U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Program Gets Funding for 2009

The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act contains $2.9 million for the U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Program, which is administered by the Oceanic Institute.  President Obama signed the Act (HR#1105) into law on March 11, 2009.

In addition, the Oceanic Institute’s Tropical Aquaculture Research Program will receive $1.4 million to continue a research program that focuses on aquaculture feeds, nutrition and the competitiveness of the USA aquaculture industry.

Information: Anthony Ostrowski, PhD, Director of the United States Marine Shrimp Farming Program, The Oceanic Institute, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795 USA (phone 808-259-3109, fax 808-259-3121, email aostrowski@oceanicinstitute.org, webpage http://www.usmsfp.org).

Sources: 1. Market Watch.  CCAGW Calls Failed Omnibus Vote an Urgent Wake-Up Call.  Leslie K. Paige (phone 1-202-467-5334).  March 6, 2009.  2. Maui Today TV.  $372 Million for Hawaii-Related Projects in Omnibus Bill.  March 11, 2009.  3.  The New York Times.  An Earmarked Bill, and Limits on the Next One.  Peter Baker and David M. Herszenhorn.  March 12, 2009.  4. Bob Rosenberry, Shrimp News International, March 12, 2009.

United States

Hawaii—Tony Ostrowski Named Interim President of the Oceanic Institute

Anthony Ostrowski, PhD, has been named interim president of the Oceanic Institute.  Ostrowski was previously OI’s vice president and director of the U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Program.  He will serve as interim president until OI’s Board of Trustees names a permanent successor.

Ostrowski replaces Bruce Anderson, PhD, who has been named as the first director of Health and Science Programs at Hawaii Pacific University.  The Oceanic Institute is an affiliate of Hawaii Pacific University.

Information: Anthony Ostrowski, PhD, Director of the United States Marine Shrimp Farming Program, The Oceanic Institute, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795 USA (phone 808-259-3109, fax 808-259-3121, email aostrowski@oceanicinstitute.org, webpage http://www.usmsfp.org).

Source: The Webpage of Hawaii Pacific University.  Oceanic Institute Names Interim President.  Website visit on March 8, 2009.

United States

Hawaii—Job, Feed Specialist, The Oceanic Institute

The Aquatic Feeds and Nutrition Program at the Oceanic Institute has a position open for a full-time research scientist to implement research on the nutrient requirements of marine warmwater fish and shrimp.  The successful candidate will undertake research activities to determine the essential amino acid, fatty acid, energy, mineral and vitamin requirements of fish and shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).

Information: Michelle Betters, Human Resource Manager, Oceanic Institute, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA (phone 1-808-259-3124, fax 1-808-259-5570, email hr@oceanicinstitute.org, webpage http://www.oceanicinstitute.org/nav.php).

Source: Email from Michelle Betters to Shrimp News International on March 9, 2009.

United States

Michigan—Seafood Systems Looks for Sites

On March 2, 2009, in Hart, Michigan, a two-hour public forum was held on agriculture’s role as a job provider and economic-development tool.  Russ Allen, president of Seafood Systems, a small shrimp farm and market in Okemos, Michigan, surprised many at the forum by describing Michigan as an ideal location for large-scale, commercial shrimp farming.  He said he is currently looking at sites in West Michigan from Muskegon County to Manistee County for his indoor shrimp farming business.  Allen said it will take some financial assistance from state government to help get shrimp farming started in Michigan, but it should take off after the high startup costs.  His company has been perfecting its innovative system since 1994.  “There’s huge room for expansion.  We could be a leader in the world of aquaculture,” Allen said.

Information: Russell Allen, President, Seafood Systems, Inc., 3450 Meridian Road, Okemos, MI 48863 USA (phone 1-517-347-5537, email shrimpone@aol.com).

Source: Mlive.com.  West Michigan leaders look to raise agriculture’s profile.  Eric Gaertner.  March 3, 2009.

United States

Texas—Dr. Addison Lawrence Puts On Three Grams a Week

At “Aquaculture 2009”, the recent World Aquaculture Society conference in Seattle, Washington, USA (February 2009), Dr. Addison Lawrence, a shrimp feed expert at Texas A&M University, said:

In one eight-week feeding experiment starting with 11-gram animals, we got 2.33 grams of growth a week to 29 grams!  We have converted that diet into to two practical diets.  One can already be purchased from Ziegler in Pennsylvania, and the other will be produced by Texas A&M.  We will provide the diet formula free to any USA company.

We’re also working on the nutritional aspects of bio-flocs with researchers at Virginia Tech and Blue Ridge Aquaculture, where the effluent from tilapia culture is run through bioreactors containing molasses to produce a bio-floc feed for shrimp.  We are getting 50% protein from the flocs, and we think we can boost that up to 65% protein.  Our estimated cost on the bio-floc feed runs from $300 to $600 a ton.  How good is the bio-floc feed?  We conducted a study at Texas A&M where we removed the fish meal or soy meal from shrimp diets and added the bio-feed in their place.  In the diet (above) that produced 2.33 grams of growth a week, we increased the growth rate to around three grams a week by replacing the protein with the bio-floc feed, a feed that may cost less than $500 a ton!  Bio-flocs can replace soy meal and fish meal in shrimp diets.

Information: Dr. Addison Lawrence, Mariculture Research Laboratory, 1300 Port Street, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA (phone 1-361-749-4625, extension 223, fax 1-361-749-5756, email smpall@yahoo.com, webpage http://ccag.tamu.edu/Faculty/portstaff.html).

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: Aquaculture America 2009 (Seattle, Washington, February 2009).  U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Program.  Shrimp research for 2007 and 2008 from Texas Agrilife Research Mariculture Laboratory in Port Aransas, Texas, Texas A&M System.  Dr. Addison Lawrence.  February 18, 2009.

United States

Washington DC—WWF Shrimp Standards by Fall 2010

Jill Schwartz, deputy director of the World Wildlife Fund’s Aquaculture Program, says WWF will finish its draft standards for shrimp farming by the end of 2009 and then begin a six month public comment period on them, after which they will be further refined based on the public comments, and WWF expects to publish its final standards for shrimp by the fall of 2010.

Information: Jill Schwartz, Deputy Director/Senior Communications Officer, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, NW Washington, DC 20037-1193, USA (phone 202-822-3458, email jill.schwartz@wwfus.org, webpage http://www.worldwildlife.org).

Source: Environmental News Service.  Climate Change, Overfishing Drive Rise of Industrial Aquaculture.  March 3, 2009.

United States

Washington State—Trans-Ocean Products

Trans-Ocean Products, a distributor of seafood, smoked salmon and surimi products, is adding shrimp to its product line.  It will receive support from its parent company, Japan’s Maruha Nichiro, one of the world’s largest seafood companies and a major player in the global shrimp trade, with $10 billion in annual sales and $500 million in annual shrimp sales!

Trans-Ocean will leverage its knowledge of the retail and foodservice markets and customer relationships with Maruha Nichiro’s worldwide shrimp procurement and processing capabilities to establish a significant presence in the USA shrimp market.

Trans-Ocean has added two shrimp industry veterans to its sales and marketing team.  Norio Yanagisawa, who has run Maruha Nichiro’s shrimp division for the past 16 years, is Trans-Ocean’s new procurement and product manager, and Bryan Hampton, a former foodservice sales manager at two leading shrimp suppliers for more than 20 years, is the company’s new national foodservice manager.

Information: Bryan Hampton, Trans-Ocean Products, 350 West Orchard Drive, Bellingham, Washington 98225, USA (phone 1-949-489-1438, fax 1-949-388-9856, email info@trans-ocean.com, webpage http://www.trans-ocean.com).

Source: SeafoodSource.com.  Editor Steven Hedlund.  Seafood News/Supply and Trade/Trans-Ocean adds shrimp to its product line-up.  March 3, 2009.

Vietnam

Artificially High Feed Costs Blamed for Drop in Production

Shrimp feed prices that have been kept artificially high are leading to the shrinkage of shrimp production in the Mekong Delta.

A large number of shrimp farmers in the region have chosen to abandon shrimp farming because of exorbitantly high feed prices.  Even though the price of feed has dropped by 14 percent recently, prices are still higher than they are in other parts of the world.

The substantial fall in feed ingredient prices has put pressure on the feed companies to lower their prices, but the feed companies are resisting because they still have huge inventories of ingredients that were purchased at much higher prices.  A feed industry association estimates that the total amount of raw materials in stock is more than 200,000 tons.  Approximately 40 feed suppliers nationwide are on the edge of closing down or posting great losses, the association said.

Le Ba Lich, chairman of the industry’s feed association, said obstructions in foreign currency exchange have been a major obstacle to lowering feed prices.  He said that feed producers have to pay a 12% fee on every dollar they exchanged to get their imported raw materials.  He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should reduce the fee or exempt feed producers from it.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Artificially high shrimp and catfish feed costs blamed for loss of pond acreage in Vietnam.  Ken Coons (phone 1-781-861-1441, email kencoons@seafood.com).  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 1-781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  March 3, 2009.

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