SHRIMP IN AQUACULTURE

Presentation by Karen JensenMarine Aquaculture 2013

Common Saltwater Species Family Penaeidae

Whiteleg shrimpPenaeus vannamei

Giant tiger prawnPenaeus

monodon

Economic importance World production of captured and farmed shrimp is ~6

million tons 25-30% of worldwide saltwater shrimp production is in

ponds Texas produces the most of any state- 8 million lbs in

2001 Florida has the largest hatcheries

Penaeus vannamei aquaculture has boomed in recent years 2011: 2,877,542 tons produced Market price decreasing, 3-3.5 USD/kg in 2005 Main suppliers to US: Thailand, Ecuador, India, China, Vietnam

Penaeus monodon 2011: 662,453 tons produced Market price in Japan: 9-14 USD/kg in 2004

Life cycle• After hatching • 6 nauplius

stages• Attracted

to light, feeds on yolk

• 3 zoea stages• 3 mysis

stages• Postlarvae are

carried to the protection of estuaries

• Development through larval stages takes ~3 weeks

• Juveniles and adults migrate offshore and mature in the ocean• Also spawn offshore

• Females grow faster and larger

Reproduction in captivity• Many hatcheries

collect gravid females from the sea to spawn in captivity• No control of

genetics, disease tolerance

• Captive maturation can be done• Large tank at low

density: 5-7 shrimp per meter

• Constant conditions- temp, pH, light, good nutrition- are important for maturation

• Eyestalk ablation in females

• After spawning, the female releases eggs into the water, fertilizing them by simultaneously rupturing the spermatophore • 150,000-200,000 eggs per

spawn (P. vannamei)• 500,000-750,000 eggs/spawn

(P. monodon)

Production methods Hatcheries

Eggs hatch within 24 hours After hatching, nauplii are stocked into V or U-shaped tanks ~3 weeks to reach postlarval stage

Nurseries Smaller ponds or intensive raceways act as an

intermediate between hatchery and grow-out size Not always used

Most US prawn farms are semi-intensive or intensive ponds Must make up for land costs, short growing season Extensive ponds common in South/Central America, where

land is cheaper Ponds stocked in April/May

Stocked at post-larval stage, <1/2 inch

Harvest Harvest in October when temps drop and

growth slow Potentially 3 crops per year in a warm climate-

not in US Drains are invaluable in shrimp ponds Gently sloping ponds with drains allow shrimp

to concentrate in a catchbasin

Feeding Ponds are fertilized prior to stocking

Stimulates phytoplankton and zooplankton production

Artificial supplemental food still necessary Lower protein needed for P. vannamei: 18-35% 36-42% for P. monodon, more carnivorous

Protozoea can be fed diatoms Mysid stages can be fed Artemia nauplii Broodstock fed squid,

mussels, and cockles

Water Chemistry Parameters

pH 7-9 DO 5-15 ppm Temperature 26-29 ˚C 5-35 ppt salinity 100-500 ppm hardness (Ca2+

concentration) Lower may reduce calcified shell Higher may produce encrustations on the

shells Hardness increased by addition of calcium

in the form of agricultural gypsum

Marine Shrimp Aquaculture

Advantages Disadvantages Very popular food

item in the US, Japan, and increasingly in EU

Fast-growing (~6 months)

FCR 2:1 or lower Some natural food

supplied Disease-resistant

strains are being produced

Pond must be near brackish water source Mangrove ecosystems used

in pond construction (improving)

Few hatcheries produce post-larval shrimp Must have pristine water

quality Higher densities usually

required to make a profit, increases risk

THANK YOU!