GRANT
NUMBER:
NA67FD0036
NMFS NUMBER: 95-SER-044
REPORT
TITLE:
Technology Development for Commercial Production of Native
Bait Shrimp in the U.S.
AUTHOR:
Dr. Tzachi
M. Samocha
PUBLISH
DATE:
March 12, 1999
AVAILABLE
FROM:
National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Region, 9721
Executive Center Drive, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702-2432.
TELEPHONE: (727) 570-5324
ABSTRACT
Various data
were obtained through three years of research on production
and marketing of three live bait shrimp: Litopenaeus
setiferus (the Atlantic white shrimp), Farfantepenaeus
duorarum (pink shrimp), and F. aztecus (brown
shrimp). Although postlarvae (PL) availability and
viral disease outbreaks were major obstacles in most studies,
several following conclusions can be made. A dependable
source for native species postlarvae is needed to develop
the farm-raised live bait shrimp industry. Production
technologies developed for Litopenaeus vannamei
can be used successfully for the culture of live bait
white shrimp in race ways and ponds. Bait-size
shrimp can be raised in 64 days from 10-day-old postlarva
(PL10). Live bait white shrimp can be produced
in raceways at high density (560PL/m2) with excellent
survival (>94%) and yield (3.27kg/m2). Good growth
and survival can be expected when this shrimp was fed
a commercially available diet with 45% protein diet (Rangen,
Inc., Buhl, ID) or an experimental diet with 20% protein
level. Induced maturation, spawning and postlarvae production
of pink shrimp are feasible. More research is needed
to evaluate the growth performance of this species under
high densities and in outdoor ponds for live bait production.
Wild gravid females of brown shrimp can be used to produce
viral pathogen-free postlarvae with good survival.
Further research is needed to determine the feasibility
of using this species for the production of live bait
under high densities. Any research with wild shrimp
populations will have to ensure that these populations
are not infected with virulent viruses. Supply of
wild live bait shrimp in the Gulf Coast States cannot
meet demand for great part of the year. Live bait
dealers will be willing to pay higher prices for farm-
raised live bait shrimp if quality and supply can be secured.
Induced spawning
and postlarvae production technology for pink shrimp was
transferred by the P.I. to Personnel of the Crystal River
Mariculture Center (CRMC), Crystal River, Florida.
Live bait shrimp production technology was transferred
to Harbor Branch Oceanogrphic Institute in Florida and
to a private producer in Texas. Currently the private
Texan company is continuing her efforts to develop this
new industry with help from the Texas Agricultural Research
Station (TAES). Private producers in Florida, South
Carolina and Alabama are considering going into live bait
shrimp production. Revenue generated from live
bait sells was use to improve the research capability
of the TAES facility in Corpus Christi. Eight graduate
students from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi,
Corpus Christi, Texas, were involved in research associated
with the production and marketing of farm-raised live
bait shrimp. Four of these students have submitted
their research papers and graduated, with another two
expected to graduate within a year. One paper dealing
with the marketing aspect was submitted for publication
in a peer-reviewed journal, and results form the three
years of studies were presented in 10 national and international
professional societies meetings.
