Inland marine shrimp aquaculture

Kevin FitzsimmonsUniversity of Arizona

3rd National Aquaculture Extension Conference

Tucson Arizona

April 2003

IntroductionDemand for domestic (wild & farmed)

shrimp Avoid pathogens and parasites Brackish water aquifersInland farms in Texas, Florida, Alabama

and ArizonaMaximize water use

Reported benefitsNo diseases from infected stocksNiche market demandEffluent water used to irrigate cropsShrimp culture has provided a

boost in sophistication of aquaculture production in the state

Shrimp research at University of Arizona

Shrimp research started in early 1970’s Continues to present Worked with AZ farmers to rear Specific

Pathogen Free (SPF) broodstocks Production was so good, farmers decided

to try growout First ponds in Aztec and Gila Bend

Shrimp farm in Sonora, Mexico

Shrimp farm in Hawaii Superintensive

(recirculating controlled environment system)

Arizona shrimp farm systemsExtensive Semi-intensive Intensive.

Arizona farm systems1. Extensive culture in large ponds

2. Intensive culture in small ponds

3. Intensive culture in lined ponds

4. Semi-intensive culture in unlined ponds

Arizona shrimp production

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1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Harvest (metric tons)

Arizona Mariculture

5.0 ha shrimp ponds

0.04 ha tilapia ponds

0.1 ha shrimp ponds

Hatchery tanks and nursery ponds

Shrimp Stage 1Acclimation unit - PL’s from 30 ppt to 3 ppt

Shrimp Stage 2

Nursery pond Environmental control - covered

pondsAcclimate to farm well water -

1.5 to 3 ppt

Shrimp Stage 3

Growout ponds (0.1 to 10 ha) Very low exchange rateFed high quality diet with

mineral supplements (Az blend)

Tilapia in supply reservoir

Arizona resultsIntensive shrimp yield - 20,000 kg/ha 2,000

kg in 0.1 ha ponds (five months)Semi-intensive yield - 7,000 kg/ha 7,000 kg in

1.0 ha pond (five months)Extensive yield - 2,000 kg/ha

2,000 kg in 1.0 ha pond (five months)Tilapia yield - 2,400 kg in 0.04 ha ponds (eight months)

Shrimp effluent on crops Low salinity effluent can be used on

certain conventional crops with proper cultivation techniques.

Sorghum Olives

ConclusionsStill experimental Production growingDeveloped local nutritional blend Developed local demand for live

and fresh product

Thank you for your interestQuestions ????