ond ynamics/a collaborative research support...

Sustainable Aquaculturefor a Secure Future

POND DYNAMICS/AQUACULTURE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH SUPPORT PROGRAM NEWSLETTER

Volume 15, Number 1/Winter 2000 osu.orst.edu/dept/crsp/homepage.html ISSN 1062-4996

… continued on p. 2

How has the CRSP Central Databasechanged since coming online at OSU inJanuary of 1997?

Originally, the Database simply storedraw data related to aquacultureproduction. Very little contextualsupport existed for this empirical

The CRSP Central Database: Integrating Aquaculture InformationAn Interview with Doug Ernstby John Hayes

framework. The first step taken toaddress this problem was to integratethe Database with information aboutthe materials and methods used toacquire the raw data. The second thingwe did to provide contextual supportfor the Database was to link data torelevant publications generated by the

T he PD/A CRSP Central Database is acentralized data storage and retrieval systemfor PD/A CRSP research and for other aquaculture

research programs with compatible objectives and

standardized methodology. The Database containsmore than one million observations of pond variablesobtained from over one hundred production studiesconducted at PD/A CRSP research sites located in thePhilippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, Kenya,Rwanda, Honduras, Panama, and Peru. The studiescontained in the Database pertain to the tropicaland subtropical production of tilapia, penaeidshrimp, and other warmwater culture species insolar algae ponds that receive inputs such as plantmaterials, inorganic and organic fertilizers, andprepared feeds.

Started in 1983, the Database was maintained by theProgram Management Office of the PD/A CRSP atOregon State University (OSU) until May 1993, whenit was transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hiloto be managed by Kevin Hopkins.

Following Hopkins’ withdrawal from the CRSP in1995, the program’s Technical Committee voted infavor of a proposal submitted by John Bolte—Associate Professor in the Department of BioresourceEngineering at OSU—to move the Database back toOSU to be managed under Bolte’s direction. Afterrelocating to OSU in the spring of 1996, the Databasewent online in January 1997.

Doug Ernst is the manager of the PD/A CRSPCentral Database and a doctoral candidate inBioresource Engineering. The following interviewtook place in late November 1999.

CRSP and scientific journals outsidethe CRSP. Finally, we added profiles ofthe PD/A CRSP research sites thatsupplement the data with physicalcharacteristics of the site and contactinformation. These additions weremade so that end users would be

Home page of PD/A CRSP Central Database website,located at <biosys.bre.orst.edu/crspDB/default.htm>.

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better able to interpret and utilize data setsand benefit from related publications andcorrespondence with researchers.

Has Database use over the Internet beenmonitored? If so, what do the user statisticsreveal?

We monitor the visits to the website andwe can monitor, to some extent, whereusers go on the website, but it’s hard toknow how much the data themselves areactually being used. At the moment, wedon’t categorize website “hits,” but Isuspect that members of the researchcommunity primarily use the Database.The Database still provides an empiricalbenchmark for producers, but it remainsdifficult to interpret given, for example, thestochastic variability that exists betweenreplicates for a similar treatment.

Throughout the website, Database usersare encouraged to contact the DatabaseManager with specific questions. On average, I get aboutfour requests per month, which fall under variedheadings including pond management questions,publication ordering, related aquaculture software, andinquiries regarding the availability of data sets forintensively fed production systems.

How can the data be queried?

Publications can be searched by keyword, author, year,site, and publication type. The data themselves can besearched by site, date, species, and data type. Anadditional data search constraint based on fish production

methods is near completion and will soon be added to theinterface.

Query results can be viewed on the screen ordownloaded as tab-delimited text files. At present, queriesover the Internet can be time consuming due to the size ofcertain raw data sets. Our plan is to create statisticalsummaries of these data sets that combine treatmentreplicates, thus reducing query time by reducing the sizeof the files being queried.

What if a user wanted to query the entire Database? Does amaster file exist that covers all the parameters for all theexperiments across all sites?

No. Multiple queries would have to be run if the questionof interest involved multiple parameters, multiple sites,etc. The constraint of querying such a large file over theInternet presents an argument against serving a masterfile that is integrated across all data for all sites. However,that will change as we develop statistical summaries thatare smaller and more manageable than raw data, makingthe possibility of serving a master file of summarystatistics over the Internet a feasible alternative. In themeantime, a master file containing all the data for all thesites can be generated by the Database Manager at therequest of the Database user.

Are the data available only on the website or is the Databaseavailable on other media?

The data reside in a relational database in Microsoft Accessand can be provided on floppy disks or zip disks dependingon the size of the data set requested by the user.

Central Database… from p. 1

Sample query results of fish weight vs. time from a study conducted at theAsian Institute of Technology, Thailand

PD/A CRSP Central Database Manager Doug Ernst

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Aquanews ~ Winter 2000

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How often is the content of the Databaseupdated?

The Database is updated any time newdata come in, which is usually aboutevery six months. Submissions tend tocoincide with the end of a work plan,as researchers are contractuallyobligated by the PD/A CRSP to submitdata on current work plans beforereceiving funding for future workplans.

Data submissions for tilapiaproduction systems outside the CRSPare encouraged. Intensively fedsystems are of particular interest. I amcurrently talking with researchers inLouisiana and other southeasternstates about such additions to theDatabase.

There is no data entry at thewebsite, only data extraction. Dataare submitted on a disk or via FTP.However, the website does provideresearchers with a means ofreviewing and changing theinformation in the materials andmethods section.

What procedures are in place to quality-control the data?

Researchers must submit data in astandard format, per datasubmission guidelines, so our firstcheck involves making sure dataare in this format. Second we try to determine if datavalues fall within acceptable ranges. For example, if wefind a pH below 5 or above 11, we know we have aproblem.

Has the Database ever been infected by a virus?

No. We use anti-virus software to protect the Databasefrom viruses. Our system administrator updates thesoftware with the latest virus profiles as needed andkeeps us apprised of software patches that might provideadded protection.

Is the Bioresource Engineering Department involvedwith other groups in collaborative applications of theDatabase?

Yes. We are currently talking with ICLARM about a near-future collaboration. We would like to integrate theupcoming CRSP data summary statistics with Fishbase—ICLARMs aquaculture and fisheries database. ICLARMwould then serve as an additional publication outlet forthe CRSP database.

PD/A CRSP Central Database website<biosys.bre.orst.edu/crspdb/default.htm>

Contacts

Dr. John BoltePD/A CRSP Central Database Principal Investigator

Bioresource EngineeringOregon State University

233 Gilmore HallCorvallis, OR 97331-1641

Phone: 541-737-6303Email: [email protected]

Doug ErnstPD/A CRSP Central Database Manager

Bioresource EngineeringOregon State University

233 Gilmore HallCorvallis, OR 97331-1641

Phone: 541-737-3217Email: [email protected]

International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM)MCPO Box 26310718 Makati City

PhilippinesPhone: (63-2) 812-8641, 840-3485

Fax: (63-2) 816-3183Email: [email protected]

Website: <www.cgiar.org/iclarm/index.htm>

When do you expect to have the summary statistics completed?

We expect to have the summary statistics by June 2000.What we will do is write programs in Visual Basic thatread the Microsoft Access files and generate summarydata sets. In addition to integrating this information withFishbase, these treatment statistics would then be addedto the Database website allowing users to choose betweenraw data sets and summary tables.

What do you have planned next for the Database?

Once we complete the summary statistics, we would like tofocus our efforts on expanding the group of Database usersto include people closely involved with end production,and educators and students of aquaculture science andengineering, rather than just basic researchers or modelers.This involves promoting the use of the Database bycontacting people in the education, extension, and researchcommunities—which is already taking place to somedegree. We would also like to create a Database usermanual that helps guide the implementation process byproviding ideas for applications of the data.

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Graduate Student Profile: Charles Hillyerby Matt Niles

C harles Hillyer is a PD/A CRSP–sponsoredPh.D. graduate student here at Oregon StateUniversity. Drawn to OSU by the work of John

Bolte, PD/A CRSP Principal Investigator andAssociate Professor in the Bioresource EngineeringDepartment here, Hillyer began his Ph.D program inthe Fall of 1998.

Hillyer completed his B.S. degree in BiologicalEngineering at Mississippi State University, and hisdecision to come to Oregon State was due in largepart to his desire to continue previous research inagricultural engineering and modeling begun atMississippi State.

Hillyer’s research currentlyfocuses on software maintenancefor POND©, a PD/A CRSP–developed software decisionsupport tool for analyzing andprojecting various aspects ofwarmwater aquacultureproduction systems. Hillyer’sPOND© work is not confined toany specific component of thesoftware. Rather, he is involvedwith general maintenance andupgrades to the currentprogram.

Hillyer is also collaboratingwith researchers in Arkansas onan inventory managementproject for catfish, whichinvolves modeling variousparameters of catfish growingoperations to help pondmanagers plan feeding rates, harvest dates, and otherproduction events to optimize catfish production rates.

Hillyer’s initial research upon arrival at OSU andthe PD/A CRSP consisted primarily of workcompleting POND© Version 4.0, which differs fromprevious versions mainly by expanding on theenterprise budget capabilities. Hillyer assisted withseveral additional new components of POND©,including a new weather component and usermanual, and worked on a variety of bug-fixes.Announcements about the new version were mailedout in August 1999.

Hillyer’s previous work at Mississippi Stateinvolved the modeling of cotton crops. His interest inBolte’s aquaculture modeling work and the CRSPDecision Support research team stems from aninterest in the modeling aspect of the work itself,however, and Hillyer feels that warmwateraquaculture systems lend themselves naturally tomodeling research because they are typically carriedout in confined areas.

Bolte’s progressive approach to modeling is whatinitially drew Hillyer to OSU. Many agriculturemodeling approaches employ standardized,established methods that have long been used inagricultural modeling research. While many of thesemethods are successful, Hillyer wanted to focus ondeveloping new techniques and using newapproaches to modeling.

POND© does just that, in part by using a parameter-estimation tool based on the principals of evolutiontheory, taking various sets of parameters, selectingthe best, and starting over.

According to Hillyer, one aspect of POND© thatmakes it such a good product is the fact that it’s veryuser-oriented, so that it approaches a real software

product, rather than just aresearch tool accessible only tothe relatively small number ofpeople carrying outaquaculture research. POND© isdesigned to be a powerful toolfor a wide audience, includingfarmers, educators, extensionagents, managers, andplanners, in addition toresearchers.

“The agricultural researchmodels that I’ve worked within the past seem to have twoidentities. One is for the re-searchers and one is for theusers.” According to Hillyer,“Researchers often do not paymuch attention to modelsdeveloped specifically for theusers, which is [unfortunate]because the users are what

ultimately guide the development of the models.”“For example,” Hillyer says, “in many models it’s

unlikely that researchers will ever produce a reallywell-developed economic model for agriculture,because that’s more of a user-oriented thing, and inthe current system, researchers are unlikely to focuson user-oriented aspects of models.”

Hillyer notes that POND© is not without its weak-nesses, however, and like all models, must makecertain, necessary assumptions that may limit itseffectiveness. There will always be trade-offs betweenmaking assumptions to make the model easy to useand limiting assumptions to maintain accuracy. Thekey is to maintain the accuracy of the model whilekeeping it at a level of complexity accessible to itsusers.

After completing his doctorate, Hillyer foreseesremaining within the academic community andcontinuing research in modeling.

See related story on PD/A CRSP Central Database, p. 1.

CRSP Graduate Student Charles Hillyer

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Farewell to Gary Jensenby Deb Burke

A fter serving for more than four years on the PD/ACRSPs External Evaluation Panel, Gary Jensen ismoving on. Jensen brought a long history of

aquaculture-related expertise to theEEP, beginning with his work infish culture as a Peace Corpsvolunteer in the early 1970s. Sincethat time highlights of his careerhave included earning a Ph.D. inaquaculture, holding an assistantprofessorship at Auburn Universityinvolving short- and long-terminternational assignments with theInternational Center forAquaculture, and being employedwith the Louisiana and Kentuckyextension services as anaquaculture specialist. In 1990Jensen stepped into the position ofNational Program Leader forAquaculture with the CooperativeState Research, Education, andExtension Service (CSREES) of the United States Departmentof Agriculture, where he currently works.

Of his time serving as an EEP member Jensen said, “Peopleare the driving force for the successes of any program whocontribute their vision, resources, talents, and time for the

public good. Committed, capable individuals and collab-orative teams are the strength of the PD/A CRSP. Theopportunity to interact as a member of the EEP in this unique

program with both old and newcolleagues has been by far the mostenjoyable [aspect of my work withthe EEP].”

Jensen says he will continue hiswork as National Program Leaderfor Aquaculture with CSREES,which involves interactions withfederal agencies, commoditygroups, and a diversity of stake-holders with interests in aquacul-ture. In addition, Jensen chairs anew federal Joint Subcommittee onAquaculture Effluents Study TaskForce, which will report science-based information in response tothe EPAs Animal AquacultureStudy Objectives. On the inter-national scene, Jensen will be

involved in post-hurricane Mitch reconstruction projects inCentral America with the shrimp farming sector incollaboration with the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA), the United States GeologicalService (USGS), and land grant universities.

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P D/A CRSP staff at themanagement offices bid areticent and very fond farewell

to Deb Burke, whose graduateresearch assistantship with theprogram resulted in a successfullydefended Anthropology thesis, “Ananalysis of the social relations at anaquaculture development site inKenya.” After her defense last year,Deb was invited to stay on, at leastuntil she was able to get her bearingson more Deb-like ground.

Deb’s contribution to the programin␣ her official capacity has been astechnical editor, assisting in the highlyintensive yearly compilation, editing,and final production of CRSP researchprogress reports submitted by theprogram’s principal investigators.She␣ has been a staff writer for

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Departing CRSP Research AssistantDeb Burke

Aquanews as well as made numerousother outreach efforts—ranging fromprogram brochures to on-campuspublic events—come to pass. Theseendeavors hardly capture Deb’scharm, wit, and high spiritedness,those elements of personality thatultimately make up the moresignificant part of why she has such␣ aloyal and devoted following.

Fortunately for us, Deb’s greenerpastures are quite nearby, as sherecently accepted a position withOSUs Office of Student Affairs todesign and implement a websiteenvisioned as a multi-media venuefor expression by and among OSUsminority student community andinterested others.

We wish Deb the absolute verybest.

Another One Escapes the Pondby Danielle Clair

Former CRSP EEP member Gary Jensen

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IIFET 2000 Conference

T he tenth biennial conference of the InternationalInstitute of Fisheries Economics & Trade (IIFET2000) will take place 10–13 July 2000 at Oregon State

University in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. The conferencetheme, Microbehavior and Macroresults,reflects the relationship of individual behaviorto the aggregate consequences of that behavior.The conference will include presentations byhistorians, legal scholars, industryspokespeople, policy-makers, biologists,nutritionists, and social and behavioralscientists. As at past conferences, there will beboth formal and informal opportunities forinteraction among the participants. Atentative list of conference topics includes:fishery biology and the social sciences; aquaculture:past, present, and future; fisheries in economicdevelopment; issues in international trade; consumerdemand for seafood; seafood market behavior; andseafood consumption and human health.

The PD/A CRSP is a co-sponsor of this event, providingan opportunity for scholars from CRSP host countries toattend and present.

The final deadline for abstracts is 31 January 2000 and forfinal papers 14 July 2000. Abstracts of prospective presenta-tions will be reviewed by a panel as they are received, andsubmitters will be notified by 1 March whether their abstracts

are accepted. The early registration deadline forthe conference is 30 April 2000.

To present at the conference, submit a brief(250 words max.) abstract to the followingaddress. Additionally, if you are not an IIFETmember and wish to receive furtherinformation by email or regular mail, pleasecontact the following address with your postaland email addresses:Debi MandigoDept. of Agricultural & Resource Economics

Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR 97331-3601 USAFax: 541-737-2563Email: [email protected] $500 prize will be presented for the best student paper.For details, please visit the website <osu.orst.edu/Dept/IIFET/2000> or contact [email protected], or write tothe address above.

Conference Announcement & Call for Papers

ISTA V ~ Fifth International Symposium on Tilapia in AquacultureSeptember 3–7, 2000

Sofitel Rio PalaceRio de Janeiro, Brazil

Conference website: <ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/announce.htm>

Sponsors: American Tilapia AssociationInternational Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management

Co-Sponsors: Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support ProgramTilapia International FoundationCIRAD (Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement)

Host: Panorama da Aquicultura

T his will be the fifth of the highly successful series ofsymposia that have brought together tilapiabiologists to review the latest discoveries in tilapia

biology, ecology, improvements in production systems, andother fields related to tilapia and their use in aquaculture.The first of the symposia to be held in South America afterearlier meetings in Israel, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire and theUS, this meeting will focus on the rapid advances in large-scale commercial farming and the development ofinternational markets. In addition to the presentation ofscientific information, the conference venue will feature atrade show for industry suppliers, seafood marketers andthe aquaculture press to meet directly with researchers andproducers. Field trips are being organized to nearbyaquaculture sites.

The Symposium Proceedings will be prepared before themeeting and distributed to the participants in Rio. Papers

will be accepted for review by the proceedings editorswhen paper and electronic copies of the article have beenreceived. The editors may request revisions of the papers. Itis anticipated that each of the papers submitted will bescheduled for an oral presentation. There will also befacilities for poster presentations and oral presentations ofwork not included in the Proceedings.

The early, regular, and late registration fee will beUS$300, 350 and 450, respectively. This fee will cover allsymposium expenses including banquet, reception,program sessions, admission to trade show, and conferenceproceedings. Tours and pathology workshop may requireaddition fees.

For registration and any other information, please see theconference website at <ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/announce.htm> or contact Kevin Fitzsimmons by email at<[email protected]>.


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H ot off the presses and readyfor ordering are the annualreports of the Pond Dynamics/

Aquaculture CRSP. The Seventeenth AnnualAdministrative Report, a 128-page boundvolume, summarizes program information andincludes abstracts of technical reports for theperiod 1 August 1998 to 31 July 1999. TheSeventeenth Annual Technical Report containsprogress or final reports on all research projectsunderway during the reporting period. Eachtechnical report can be ordered individually;the unbound, 184-page complete volume is alsoavailable. A table of contents listing all thereports will be included with all report orders;it also comprises an appendix in theAdministrative Report.

As always, these reports are free of charge.Ordering information is listed on p. 16.

Seventeenth Annual Reports Available Now

Tilapia with Sherry Mushroom Sauce

Preparation Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 15 minutesYield: 4 servings

1⁄4 t salt11⁄2 lbs tilapia fillets1 T butter or margarine4 cups mushrooms1⁄2 t black pepper

1) Sprinkle 1⁄8 t salt over fillets. Melt 11⁄2 t butter in large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add fillets and sauté 4minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when testedwith fork. Remove fillets from skillet and cover to keepwarm.

2) Melt 11⁄2 t butter in skillet. Add 1⁄8 t salt, mushrooms, andpepper. Sauté for 4 minutes or until golden. Add sherry andcook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

3) Combine broth, milk, and cornstarch and stir with a whisk.Add broth mixture to skillet and bring to a boil, stirringconstantly. Reduce heat to medium and cook 1 minute. Spoonsauce over fish.

Recipe courtesy of John Hayes

2 T dry sherry2⁄3 cup chicken broth1⁄4 cup milk1 t cornstarch

$

Tilapia Nutrition Informationcourtesy of ATA website<ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ata.html>

Nutritional FactsServing Size 113 gramsServings per Container 8

Amount Per ServingCalories: 93 Calories From Fat: 9

% Daily ValueTotal Fat: 1 g 2% Saturated Fat 0.5g 2%Cholesterol 55 mg 18%Sodium 40 mg 2%Total Carbohydrate 0 0% Dietary Fiber 0 0% Sugars 0 0%Protein 21 g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%Calcium 1% Iron 7%

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000calories diet. Your daily values may be higher or

lower depending on your calorie needs:Calories 2000 2500

Fat 65 g 80 gSat. Fat 20 g 28 gCholesterol 300 mg 300 mgSodium 2400 mg 2400 mgCarbohydrate 300 g 375 gFiber 25 g 30 gCalories per gram:Fat 9 Carbohydrates 4 Protein 4

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Tilapia Fingerlings Plantedin Llano El Espino

Fifty thousand tilapia fry have beenplanted in the lagoon of Llano ElEspino, Ahuachapan, with the aim ofaiding the recovery of severalcrustacean species which inhabit thesecontinental waters.

The work was carried out by theMinistry of Agriculture and Livestock(MAG) and the National Centre ofFisheries Development(CENDEPESCA), with the support ofthe local municipality. Mr Lin MingHsien, from Taiwan, who iscollaborating with the governmentagencies, supervised the labours.

Tilapia planting is expected tobenefit the people from the nearbycommunities, such as El Carmen, LasViñas, Llano La Laguna, Chancuyoand Rio Frio, among others, who willbe able to use and commercialise theresource.

Mayor Julio Eduardo Guillén saidCENDEPESCA has recommended aban on fishing in the lagoon for threeor four months, to prevent thefingerlings from being caught beforethey fully mature.

The official warned that anybodycaught fishing during the ban will beseverely fined.

Source: Fish Info Service, <www.fis-net.com>

The newest employee at Florida FishFarms works like a dog. In fact, Cabois a dog, a 2-year-old Border colliespecifically trained to chase birdsaway from aquaculture ponds. Hisowners believe Cabo may be the firstdog ion the United States to be used ina bird reduction program at a comme-rcial aquaculture facility. Although theconcept may be funny, the problem theowners want Cabo to solve is not.Aquaculturists reports that fish-eatingbirds cause significant economic lossesannually; Florida Fish Farms estimatesits losses to birds at $100,000 a year.

Because Cabo runs at speeds of upto 30 miles per hour, he is perceived asa stealth predator by the birds and,

Tuna Carp?

Supplies of tuna are running so low that the Agricultural Research Service(ARS) in the USA is working on an alternative: bighead carp, Parademagazine reports.

The species, which is now being raised in Arkansas, is lighter, less oily,and lower in calories than tuna. Taste tests have been successful, with 60-70 percent of consumers saying they would pay as much for carp as forcanned tuna.

There is a drawback, however. US chefs will not put the name ‘carp’ ona menu. “They wish we’d call it something else,” the ARS said.

Source: Seafood International, Vol. 14, No. 11, November 1999

Reports in the Filipino press claim thatPresident Joseph Estrada has ordereda study on the creation of a Depart-ment of Fisheries and Oceans toenable the country to achieve self-sufficiency in fish.

Estrada is reportedly consideringappointing Secretary William Dar ofthe Department of Agriculture (DA) ashead [of] the new department once itis approved by Congress.

Estrada said: “More than half of our

Fishellaneous Items

municipalities are in coastal areas. So,it is important for us to take care ofour aquatic resources. We haveordered a thorough study on thepossibility of creating a new Depart-ment of Fisheries that will focus onour coastal resources and fisheriessector.”

For 1999, the government allocatedP1.3 billion of the estimated P19billion agriculture budget to thefisheries sector, although in the first

Government Focuses on Fisheries

Aquaculture Facilities Turn to Dogs to Protect Fish

thus, they do not become desensitizedto him as they do other methods ofbird harassment, say trainers. BorderCollie Rescue, a national non-profitorganization, says a single Bordercollie and a handler can easilymaintain a 2-square-mile area, whichis one reason Border collies are thefastest and most popular form of birdcontrol on golf courses, airports, andother venues. Trainers teach ownershow to use a herding whistle andverbal commands to guide the dogs.For more information contact 352/473-0100.

Source: Fisheries, Vol. 24, No. 11,November 1999

quarter [1999], the fisheries sectoraccounted for nearly P20 billion of thecountry´s food output.

The government claims that it alsointends to modernise the country´sfishing industry and closely monitorfishing activities in coastal waters toguard against destructive methods.

Source: Fish Info Service, <www.sea-world.com>. Reprinted withpermission.


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Notices of PublicationThese Notices of Publication announce recentlypublished work carried out under PD/A CRSPsponsorship. To receive a full copy of a report, pleasecontact the author(s) directly unless it is otherwisenoted.

CRSP Research Report 99-136

GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (GMPS) TO REDUCEENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OFSHRIMP AQUACULTURE IN LATIN AMERICA

Claude E. BoydP.O. Box 3074Auburn, Alabama 36831 USA

Maria C. HawsCoastal Resources CenterUniversity of Rhode IslandNarragansett, Rhode Island 02882 USA

A list of practices that can be used to improve theefficiency and reduce the negative environmental impactsof shrimp farming is presented. The practices are calledgood management practices (GMPs) instead of bestmanagement practices (BMPs), because the best ways ofreducing environmental impacts in shrimp farming are stillevolving. The practices were developed specifically forshrimp culture in Latin American countries with theassistance of the Honduran Shrimp Producer’s Association,but many of the practices are applicable to shrimp farminganywhere in world and to most other types of pondaquaculture. Further modifications and refinements areanticipated for these GMPs as a result of continuedcollaboration with shrimp producers and aquaculturalscientists.

This abstract was excerpted from the original paper, whichwas published in B.W. Green, H.C. Clifford, M. McNamara,and G.M. Montaño (Editors), V Central AmericanSymposium on Aquaculture, 18–20 August 1999, San PedroSula, Honduras, pp. 9–33.


ESTIMATION OF CARRYING CAPACITY FOR SHRIMPAQUACULTURE IN THE EASTERN ESTUARIES OF THE GULFOF FONSECA

George H. WardCenter for Research in Water ResourcesThe University of Texas, PRC-119Austin, Texas 78712 USA

Bartholomew W. Green and David R. Teichert-CoddingtonInternational Center for Aquaculture & Aquatic EnvironmentsDepartment of Fisheries and Allied AquaculturesAuburn University, Alabama USA

An intensive data collection and modeling study has beenunderway for the past several years addressing two of thechannel estuaries draining into the Gulf of Fonseca, namelyEstero El Pedregal and Estero San Bernardo. Data have beencompiled on the shrimp farm configurations, exchange rates,and effluent chemistry. Temperature/salinity/dissolvedoxygen profiles have been measured in the estuary channelsin both rainy and dry seasons. Physiographic, hydrographicand meteorological data have been obtained to supplementthe estuary data. We examine the assimilative capacity ofthese estuaries with respect to dissolved oxygen (DO). Theoxygen demand of organics is measured by biochemicaloxygen demand (BOD). Shrimp farm BOD loadings wereestimated from effluent data and exchange. A transportmodel for salinity and DO in the estuaries was applied topredict the tidal-mean, section-mean concentrations ofsalinity and DO. The model predictions of DO given 1995BOD loadings were satisfactory. Future loadings based uponfull shrimp farm development along these two estuaries werethen input to determine the resulting DO under theseconditions. It was found that the 1995 configuration isalready pressing the carrying capacity of both systems, andthe DO will be worsened at full development. Shrimp farmsplaced farther upstream than about 20 km from the mouthwill most likely have excessive impact on the DO in theestuary. The impact is exacerbated under dry seasonconditions. Negative impacts of a specific farm can beameliorated by reducing or eliminating pond dischargesduring the dry season, and by reducing the level of waterexchange employed. This work needs to be extended toaddress additional water-quality parameters, and toincorporate larger spatial scales, especially to establish theinteraction between different estuaries draining into Fonseca.

This abstract was excerpted from the original paper, whichwas published in B.W. Green, H.C. Clifford, M. McNamara,and G.M. Montaño (Editors), V Central AmericanSymposium on Aquaculture, 18–20 August, San Pedro Sula,Honduras, pp. 34–63.

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Notices of Publication (cont.)


NON-PARAMETRIC ESTIMATION OF RETURNS TOINVESTMENT IN HONDURAS SHRIMP RESEARCH

Siddhartha Dasgupta and Carole R. EngleAquaculture/Fisheries CenterUniversity of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR 71611 USA

This paper reports the results of a study to evaluate theeconomic returns on the investment in shrimp research inHonduras. The goal of this study was to estimate theeconomic returns to shrimp research investment by thePond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, a USAID-fundedprogram involved in global pond aquaculture research inHonduras since 1993. The research program wasimplemented by Auburn University researchers under theauspices of the PD/A CRSP in order to improve shrimpproduction efficiency. The analytical technique used in thisstudy is a non-parametric approach to estimate the returnsto research investment, based on Varian’s Weak Axiom ofProfit Maximization (WAPM). Shrimp production datafrom 21 farms in Honduras were collected by surveytechniques. Each farm indicated yield, post-larva (PL)stocking rate, and feeding rate during its first productionyear and 1997 (the survey year). For the combinedinvestments, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) was 17%(45% with Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV) correction);considering only public-sector investment gave an IRR of6,532% (13,412% with TSV correction). These resultssuggest a very effective leveraging of US federal researchfunds with private-sector capital. Results from this studyclearly point toward technical progress in Honduranshrimp cultivation. Non-parametric total productivityindices evaluated from the output technological indices,indicated proportionately higher yields in the post-researchyears. This study also illustrates the importance thatcommercial shrimp farms place on the Auburn UniversityPD/A CRSP research program, which is evident from thesignificantly higher private-sector over public-sectorinvestment.

This abstract is based on the original paper, which waspublished in B.W. Green, H.C. Clifford, M. McNamara, andG.M. Montaño (Editors), V Central American Symposiumon Aquaculture, 18–20 August, San Pedro Sula, Honduras,pp. 201–203.


RISK ANALYSIS OF SHRIMP FARMING IN HONDURAS

D. Valderrama and C.R. EngleAquaculture/Fisheries CenterUniversity of Arkansas at Pine BluffP.O. Box 4912, 1200 N. University DrivePine Bluff, AR 71611 USA

Current realities (disease issues, environmental concerns,unstable market) are encouraging shrimp farmers world-wide to review traditional management strategies and lookfor tools that help optimize current practices. Uncertaintiesand risks associated with shrimp production also need tobe recognized. The present study is a risk analysis ofactivities carried out by shrimp farmers in Honduras.Results of the analysis are intended to provide the farmmanager–decision maker with a compendium of possibleoutcomes that could be obtained under different scenarios,which are modeled according to the characteristics of theHonduran shrimp industry. A survey was conducted toobtain information on production parameters and costs ofshrimp farms in Honduras. Data were collected from 21farms ranging in size from 20 to 1,800 hectares. The surveywas aimed at obtaining information on stocking densities,feeding rates, and other production parameters in additionto operational costs. Collected data correspond to theproduction of 1997. Data from the survey showed that largefarms (more than 400 ha) typically produce less than1,000␣ lb ha-1 yr-1 and have the lowest costs per unit area andbreak-even yields. Yields are higher for medium farms(150␣ to 300 ha) than for large farms. Results of the analysissuggest that under current strategies followed by farmmanagers in Honduras, there is more risk associated withadopting conservative practices and a low-cost-per-hectareapproach than with intensifying shrimp culture byincreasing stocking densities and feeding rates.



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MASCULINIZATION OF NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMISNILOTICUS) BY IMMERSION IN SYNTHETIC ANDROGENS:TIMING AND EFFICACY

Wilfrido M. Contreras-Sánchez and Martin S. FitzpatrickOregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fisheries and Wildlife104 Nash HallOregon State UniversityCorvallis, Oregon 97331 USA

Gabriel Márquez-CouturierUniversidad Juárez Autónoma de TabascoCarretera Villahermosa-CardenasEntronque a Bosques de SaloyaVillahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico

Carl B. SchreckOregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fisheries and Wildlife104 Nash HallOregon State UniversityCorvallis, Oregon 97331 USA

A variety of methods have been developed for producingsingle-sex populations of tilapia; however, dietary treatmentwith synthetic androgens such as 17α-methyltestosterone isthe most common technique. The objectives of our studywere to determine the period at which masculinization viaimmersion can be accomplished, and to determine if multipleimmersions during critical days can produce all-malepopulations. We also wanted to determine if masculiniza-tion via immersion can be accomplished on a large scaleusing fry collected from multiple families in spawningtanks. Fry were immersed in 500 µg l-1 of trenbolone acetate(TA) for 3 h on days 12, 13, or 14 after fertilization (experi-ment 1) or in combinations of days between 12 and 15 dayspostfertilization (dpf; experiment 2). The results of theseexperiments confirm that significant masculinization oftilapia can be achieved through short-term immersion of fryin water containing synthetic androgens. Multiple immer-sions during the critical period of sensitivity consistentlyachieved greater than 80% masculinization. The resultsindicate that 3-h immersions are sufficient, and suggest thatincluding an immersion on 15 dpf does not improvemasculinization.



FATE OF THE MASCULINIZATION AGENT METHYL-TESTOSTERONE IN THE POND ENVIRONMENT

Martin S. Fitzpatrick, Wilfrido M. Contreras-Sánchez,Ruth␣ H.␣ Milston, and Carl B. SchreckOregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fisheries and Wildlife104 Nash HallOregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR 97331-3803 USA

Use of all-male tilapia populations prevents unwantedreproduction and produces the sex with the greatestgrowth potential. One common method for producing all-male populations is to feed developing fry with foodimpregnated with the synthetic androgen 17α-methyltes-tosterone (MT). Although previous studies have shownthat MT is rapidly cleared from the fish, little attention hasbeen paid to the possible contamination of the environmentby steroid-treated food. Such contamination could pose anexposure risk to workers as well as to other organisms inand around the pond environment. We tested the hypo-thesis that MT persists in the environment after its use formasculinizing Nile tilapia. Fry were treated with a mascu-linizing dose of MT (60 mg kg-1) for four weeks beginningat the initiation of feeding in model ponds. Water and soilsamples were taken before the onset of treatment andweekly beginning on the last day of treatment (watersamples were also taken weekly during the four-weektreatment period). The concentrations of MT in water andsoil were measured by radioimmunoassay. Concentrationof MT in water decreased to background level by 35 daysafter the onset of feeding (one week after the end oftreatment with MT-impregnated food). In contrast, thelevels in the soil were 1.4 to 1.7 µg kg-1 at 28 days after theonset of feeding with MT-impregnated food and remaineddetectable in the soil at between 0.8 and 1.6 µg kg-1 through49 days (three weeks after ending treatment with MT-impregnated food). These results suggest that MT persistsin sediments for at least weeks after cessation of MTtreatment, which indicates that unintended exposure to MTmay occur.


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SISTEMAS DE PRODUCCIÓN DE TILAPIA EN HONDURAS(TILAPIA PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN HONDURAS)

Bartholomew W. GreenDepartment of Fisheries and Allied AquaculturesAuburn University, AL 36849-5419 USA

Following a period of rapid expansion in the early 1990s,tilapia farming in Honduras continues to be a growingindustry. This survey of management systems employed attilapia farms in Honduras, based on interviews conductedbetween July and September 1998 with managers from11␣ farms that supply both domestic and export markets,examines the species cultivated in largest quantity—ahybrid of Oreochromis mossambicus, O. urolepis hornorum,O.␣ aureus, and O. niloticus known as Jamaican red tilapia.The survey revealed that while many farms originallyharvested production for the export market, limited and/orirregular production necessitated a scaling back to localdistribution. Large farms were found to contain an averageof 54 ponds compared with small farms, which operated anaverage of 33 ponds. In general, ponds in a farm weredistributed by total area in the following manner: 5.9% forreproduction and sex inversion, 21% for pre-grow-out,31.8% for grow-out I, and 41.1% for grow-out II. Sexinversion of fry was practiced on all farms, with varyingdegrees of success, using daily treatments of 17α-methyl-testosterone administered through feed. For most farms,water exchange was the primary method of maintainingwater quality during grow-outs I and II. Farms that alsoimplemented water exchange during pre-grow-outreported larger biomasses at the end of this stage ofproduction.

This abstract is based on the original Spanish-languagepaper, which was published in B.W. Green, H.C.␣ Clifford,M. McNamara, and G.M. Montaño (Editors), V CentralAmerican Symposium on Aquaculture, 18–20 August 1999,San Pedro Sula, Honduras, pp. 254–257.


EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED TILAPIA CULTURE BYRESOURCE LIMITED FARMERS IN PANAMA ANDGUATEMALA

Leonard L. Lovshin and Norman B. SchwartzDepartment of Fisheries and Allied AquaculturesAuburn University, AL 36849 USA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the currentstatus of tilapia pond projects initiated in the 1980s by the


EFECTO DEL RECAMBIO DE AGUA EN LA PRODUCCIÓNSEMI-INTENSIVA DE PENAEUS VANNAMEI (EFFECT OFWATER EXCHANGE ON SEMI-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION OFPENAEUS VANNAMEI)

Bartholomew W. Green, David R. Teichert-Coddington, andClaude E. BoydDepartment of Fisheries and Allied AquaculturesAuburn University, AL 36849-5419 USA

John M. Wigglesworth and Hector CorralesGrupo Granjas Marinas, S.A.Choluteca, Honduras

Delia Martínez and Eneida RamírezLaboratorio de Calidad de AguaLa Lujosa, Choluteca, Honduras

Daily water exchange at 10% of pond volume is commonpractice in semi-intensive shrimp culture in CentralAmerica. Rationales for water exchange are to improvedissolved oxygen concentrations in the pond and toremove nutrients before they reach toxic levels. However,

governments of Panama and Guatemala, with financialsupport from the United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID) and technical support provided byAuburn University. Projects in both countries weredesigned to improve the nutrition and increase the incomeof poor farmers by teaching them the skills required tobecome self-sufficient pond managers. During June andJuly 1998 the authors visited 21 cooperatively managed fishpond projects in Panama, and 37 family and 2 coopera-tively managed fish ponds in Guatemala. The evaluationteam found that in Panama, 6 of the cooperative projectswere abandoned and the remaining 15 were being used togrow rice and/or fish, while in Guatemala, 39% of theponds were abandoned, 48% were under-utilized, and 13%were well managed. Fish ponds did not have the intendedimpact on household nutrition and income for a combina-tion of technical, economic, social, and political reasons.However, participants found ways to profit from theexistence of ponds as 15 of 21 cooperatively managed pondprojects in Panama and 28 of 46 individual household pondprojects in Guatemala were still used at some level ofproficiency.

This abstract is based on the original paper, which waspublished in B.W. Green, H.C. Clifford, M. McNamara, andG.M. Montaño (Editors), V Central American Symposiumon Aquaculture, 18–20 August 1999, San Pedro Sula,Honduras, pp. 258–261.


13


the benefit of water exchange in semi-intensive shrimpculture has been poorly demonstrated. Two experimentswere conducted on a commercial shrimp farm in Hondurasto determine the effects of daily water exchange andemergency water exchange on shrimp production. Ten0.93-ha ponds stocked with hatchery-spawned post-larval(PL) Penaeus vannamei at 150,000 PL ha-1 were used for thiscompletely randomized design study to test two waterexchange regimes: daily water exchange at 10% pondvolume, six days per week; and water exchanged at up to25% pond volume when early morning dissolved oxygenconcentrations were ≤ 2.0 mg l-1. The above experimentswere conducted in both the rainy and dry seasons. Grossshrimp yields, shrimp survival, and individual growth andweight showed no difference between water exchangeregimes for both seasons considered.

This abstract is based on the original Spanish-languagepaper, which was published in B.W. Green, H.C.␣ Clifford,M. McNamara, and G.M. Montaño (Editors), V CentralAmerican Symposium on Aquaculture, 18–20 August 1999,San Pedro Sula, Honduras, pp. 209–212.

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Upcoming Conferences and ExpositionsDate Topic/Title Event Location Contact Information

February2–5, 2000

AquacultureAmerica 2000

New Orleans,Louisiana, USA

WAS Conference Manager, World Aquaculture Society, 21710 7th PlaceWest, Bothell, WA 98021; Phone: 425-485-6682; Fax: 425-483-6319;Email: [email protected]

February9–10, 2000

AquacultureTechnology Expo2000

Chiba City, Japan Phone: 03-5775-2855; Fax: 03-5775-2856;Email: [email protected]


Aquaculture andSeafood Fair 2000

Bangkok,Thailand

Phone: 66-2 561-1728; Fax: 66-2561-1727;Email: [email protected]


Conference onAquaculture in theThird Millenium

Bangkok,Thailand

Aquaculture in the Third Millenium Conference, PO Box 1040, KasetsartPost Office, Bangkok, Thailand 10903; Phone: 662-561-1728;Fax: 662-561-1727; Email: [email protected]

March 7–9,2000

InternationalBoston SeafoodShow

Boston,Massachusetts,USA

Phone: 207-842-5504; Fax: 207-842-5505;Email: [email protected]

March23–26, 2000

Fish International2000

Bremen,Germany

Phone: 49-421-3505-260; Fax: 49-421-3505-681;Email: [email protected]

May 2–6,2000

World Aquaculture2000

Nice, France WAS Conference Manager, World Aquaculture Society, 21710 7th PlaceWest, Bothell, WA 98021; Phone: 425-485-6682; Fax: 425-483-6319;Email: [email protected]

May 9–11,2000

European SeafoodExposition

Brussels,Belgium

Phone: 207-842-5599; Email: [email protected]

June 15–18,2000

2000 TaipeiInternational FoodShow

Taipei, Taiwan Phone: 886-2-2725-1111; Fax: 886-2-2725-1314

June 15–18,2000

IFAF 2000—International Fairfor Aquaculture,Fisheries, and FishProducts

Izmir, Turkey Phone: 31-30-295-5321; Fax: 31-30-295-5585;Email: [email protected]

July 10–13,2000

IIFET 2000 Corvallis,Oregon, USA

Debi Mandigo, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, Oregon StateUniversity, Corvallis, OR 97331-3601; Phone: 541-737-1414;Fax: 541-737-2563; Email: [email protected];Website: osu.orst.edu/Dept/IIFET/html/2000

July 20–23,2000

3rd InternationalConference onRecirculatingAquaculture

Roanoke,Virginia, USA

Dr. George Libey, Recirculating Aquaculture Conference 2000, VirginiaTech, Blacksburg, VA 24061; Phone: 540-231-6805; Fax: 540-231-9293;Email: [email protected]

July 23–26,2000

InternationalCongress on theBiology of Fish

Aberdeen,Scotland

Don MacKinlay; Phone: 604-666-3520;Email: [email protected];Website: www.fishbiologycongress.org

July 31–August 3,2000

4th InternationalSymposium on FishEndocrinology

Seattle,Washington,USA

Walton Dickhoff, NWFSC, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA98112-2097; Email: [email protected]

August20–24, 2000

130th AmericanFisheries SocietyAnnual Meeting

St. Louis,Missouri, USA

Betsy Fritz; Phone: 301-897-8616/212;Email: [email protected]

October 31–November3, 2000

3rd World FisheriesCongress

Beijing, China Phone: 86-10-6419-4233; Fax: 86-10-6419-4231;Email: [email protected]

January21–25, 2001

AquacultureAmerica 2001

Orlando, Florida,USA

WAS Conference Manager, World Aquaculture Society, 21710 7th PlaceWest, Bothell, WA 98021; Phone: 425-485-6682; Fax: 425-483-6319;Email: [email protected]

August19–23, 2001

131st AmericanFisheries SocietyAnnual Meeting

Phoenix, Arizona Betsy Fritz; Phone: 301-897-8616/212;Email: [email protected]


15

Workshops and Short Courses

Date Title/Topic/Site Contacts

Year-round Various courses and study tours tailored tomeet the training needs of a specific groupor agency/Asian Institute of Technology,Thailand

Training and Consultancy Unit (TCU), Aquaculture and AquaticResources Management Program, School of Environment,Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, POBox 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;Phone: 66-2-524-5219; Fax: 66-2-524-5484; Email: [email protected];Website: www.agri-aqua.ait.ac.th/tcu

Year-round Training and Research in Fisheries andStock Management/WageningenAgricultural University, the Netherlands

G. van Eck, Dept of Fish Culture & Fisheries, PO Box 338, 6700 AHWageningen, The Netherlands; Phone: 31-8370-8330;Fax: 31-8370-83937; Email: [email protected]

Year-round Tropical Aquaculture Advanced Training ina Third World Country/Escuela AgrícolaPanamericana (EAP), Honduras, and AsianInstitute for Technology, Thailand

Zentralstelle fuer Ernahrung und Landwirtschaft (ZEL)Feldafing/Zschortau, Deutsche Stiftung fuer InternationaleEntwicklung (DSE), D-82336 Feldafing, Germany;Phone: ++49-8157-38-0; Fax: ++49-81-57-38-227

January 24–February 18,2000

Coastal Planning and Management forAquaculture Development/Asian Instituteof Technology, Thailand


June 5–30,2000

Hatchery Management for Finfish/AsianInstitute of Technology, Thailand


August 14–September 8,2000

Advances in Tilapia Fry Production andGrow-Out/Asian Institute of Technology,Thailand


March 20–31,2000

Coastal Aquaculture Study Tour/AsianInstitute of Technology, Thailand


May 1–12,2000

Inland Aquaculture Study Tour/AsianInstitute of Technology, Thailand

Training and Consultancy Unit (TCU), Aquaculture and AquaticResources Management Program, School of Environment,Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, POBox 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;Phone :66-2-524-5219; Fax: 66-2-524-5484; Email: [email protected];Website: www.agri-aqua.ait.ac.th/tcu

WWW: Who/What/Where

D id you ever wonder just who looks at a website?We did too, and found that web usage statisticsgather more information than just the number of

visits to the site. We took a quick look at the use statisticsfor the PD/A CRSP website during four weeks over thecourse of three months and found that residents of at least64 countries visited the site. Canadian and Australianservers hosted the most users, with about 300 and 250 hits,

respectively, over the four-week period we looked at.Regionally, North America accounted for the greatestnumber of visits to our site, at 28 percent of the hits.Twenty-four percent of hits came from Europe, followedby Latin America with 15 percent, Southeast Asia with 14percent, and Oceania with 13 percent of hits. All told, thesite received over 2,300 hits during the four-week period,an average of over 80 per day.

16

Bulk RateUS Postage

PAIDCorvallis, OR

Permit No. 200

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Director: Dr. Hillary S. EgnaAquanews Editor: Danielle Z. ClairStaff: Kris McElwee, Matt Niles, John Hayes, DebBurke, Heidi Furtado, and Xena Cummings

Aquanews is published quarterly by the InformationManagement & Networking Component of the PondDynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative ResearchSupport Program, Oregon State University, 400 SnellHall, Corvallis OR 97331-1641.<osu.orst.edu/dept/crsp/homepage.html>

The contents of this newsletter are copyrighted bythe Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP. Copyright2000. All rights reserved including mechanical andelectronic reproduction.

Mention of trade names or commercial products doesnot constitute endorsement or recommendation foruse on the part of USAID or the PD/A CRSP.

The Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CollaborativeResearch Support Program is funded in part by theUS Agency for International Development underCRSP Grant No. LAG-G-00-96-90015-00 and byparticipating US and host country institutions.

Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Write to us or order publications at:Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSPOregon State University400 Snell HallCorvallis, OR 97331-1641

You can also access CRSP publications electronically at<osu.orst.edu/dept/crsp/publications/pubs.html>.

Or email us:Director: Hillary Egna [email protected] Director: Cormac Craven [email protected] Manager: Danielle Clair [email protected]. Info. Mgr.: Kris McElwee [email protected] Ordering [email protected]

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