Lab breeds hope Scientists at the Oceanic Institute in Makapuu are on a mission to build a better Pacific white shrimp.
for better shrimp
Makapuu scientists work to make
farming a profitable ventureBy Kelliann Shimote
kshimote@starbulletin.comThey decided to breed shrimp in the disease-free facility in 1998 because shrimp are susceptible to diseases.
Currently, researchers are trying to boost production by screening for the fastest-growing shrimp to make the business more profitable for farmers -- hopefully competition for foreign producers.
"It all comes down to economics. We are trying to make it (shrimp farming) a profitable business," said research associate Clete Otoshi.
The private, nonprofit organization began a four-day process last week of sifting through 600 pounds of shrimp in its breeding facility.
The harvest, done twice a year, is to filter out one-fourth of the fastest-growing shrimp. The shrimp are bred through artificial insemination. Then the selective breeding process begins again for the next generation of shrimp.
Shaun Moss, program manager, said it takes eight months for a fertilized egg to reach maturity.
He added it takes three months for a shrimp to go from 1 gram to market size at the facility. In contrast, shrimp raised at a farm in Texas take five months to go from 1 gram to market size.
Otoshi said traditional shrimp farms can grow about 40 shrimp per square meter, while the institute averages about 300 shrimp per square meter.
"This (the facility and shrimp) is economically viable right now," said Moss.
"This is sort of the shrimp farming of the future."
Shrimp farms differ from the institute in that they are uncovered and use salt water to breed shrimp.
Moss said this method has the potential to expose shrimp to diseases.
According to Otoshi and Moss, shrimp can pick up viruses from the air, water or other sources. The diseases are harmful and can stunt growth or even kill the shrimp.
The facility also differs from shrimp farms because it controls water used to breed the shrimp.
The facility first covers the crop to control the temperature. Temperature is controlled by manually opening and closing flaps on the side. Also, the facility filters and recycles its water.
Moss said shrimp farms are built next to the coast because they need fresh salt water to breed the shrimp.
If patterned after the institute's breeding facility, shrimp farms have the potential to be built anywhere.
"These shrimp farms, because of the way they are operated, they are independent of the coastal area," said Moss. "We can put them in Kansas."
Moss and Otoshi added that farmers could save money because land near coastal areas can be expensive.
"You can basically start up geographically isolated and not have a problem," Otoshi added.
Moss explained the system currently is not cost-effective compared with shrimp farms in developing countries, where land and labor are cheaper.
But he added the facility's shrimp quality is better because of the controlled environment.
"Our research on the bio-secure, closed, recirculating systems will enable us shrimp producers to produce a high-quality product consistently. ... There is a lot of value to producing quality," Moss said.
"They're delicious. We haven't noticed a quality difference than those that are grown in traditional ponds.
"(But) you can get tired of eating shrimp."