Last year saw a rebound in Spanish aquaculture production, with total production of marine species at 43,597 tonnes (excluding mussels). This amount is 11 per cent higher than the 39,291 tonnes in 2013.
The main species produced was sea bass, with 17,376 tonnes (+ 18.1 per cent).
The Indian state of Kerala has begun its first Litopenaeus Vannamei shrimp farming operations.
Minister for Fisheries, K Babu, said that a model farming system of Litopenaeus Vannamei suitable for the particular brackish water ecosystem of the state will be developed.
Also in India, a crab farming pilot project from the Marine Products Export Development Authority has been a successful in Maharashtra state, a source told TheFishSite.
Started in October 2014, mangrove crabs, also known as mud crabs (Scylla serrata), are farmed in one acre lines that have been provided to farmers by MPEDA.
Maharashtra State Forest Department has already pumped over $240,000 (Rs 1.5 crore) into the project.
Crab seeds will be provided to farmers for a mere $0.03 (Rs 2) per piece and will fetch farmers $16 (Rs 1000) per crab after nine months of harvesting.
Also in aquaculture news this week, field trials of new product targeting toxic hydrogen sulfide in US pond aquaculture has demonstrated increased fish yield at harvest.
PondDtox® - marketed and distributed by Fish Vet Group in the US – contains unique bacteria which converts toxic hydrogen sulfide into non-toxic sulfate in benthic environments of production ponds.
A recent field study run by the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff in the commercial baitfish industry, demonstrated that ponds treated with PondDtox® yielded 56 per cent more lbs/acre at harvest.
To find out more about PondDtox® and to view the case study, click here.
Call for articles:
We are now accepting articles 700-1000 words in length for our Sustainable Aquaculture Digital magazines. If you are interested in submitting an article on an aquaculture topic/area of your choice please contact laura.elliott@5mpublishing.com
