Nursery phase in shrimp farms

Benefits beyond EMS/AHPND.

AQUAEXPO 19-22 October 2015

Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Epicore BioNetworks Inc.

Fernando Garcia Abad, Fabrizzio Vanoni,
William P. Long.
EMS/AHPND EVOLUTION

1(2009)

4(2012) 2(2010)

4(2013)
3(2011)
3(2011)

5(2013)
WORLD AQUACULTURE
SITUATION
 WORLD AQUACULURE PRODUCTION BY REGION
EPICORE COVERAGE
ACTUAL (EMS IMPACT) 2007 2015 (estimated)
13.9%

3500000

3000000 EMS
IMNV EMS EMS EMS
2500000 IMNV IMNV
IMNV EMS EMS
2000000
EMS EMS
1500000 EMS EMS
EMS
EMS EMS EMS
1000000 EMS EMS
EMS EMS EMS EMS
500000

0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Others2 Nicaragua Honduras Brasil Mexico Ecuador Others

Malaysia India Indonesia Vietnam Thailand China

 Production and Tendencies
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 *
China 1,265,636 1,286,074 1,241,340 960,000 962,000 800,000 850,000 920,000 782,000
Tailandia 504,856 507,500 541,994 548,800 553,200 450,000 250,000 220,000 275,000
Vietnam 376,700 381,300 352,000 357,700 270,000 180,000 280,000 440,000 320,000
Indonesia 330,155 408,346 299,050 333,860 350,631 370,000 380,000 450,000 427,000
India 171,265 153,797 181,261 204,190 222,737 236,103 405,000 360,000 280,000
Malasia 63,600 67,197 69,277 73,000 50,000 48,991 46473 40,000 40,000
Otros 70,000 72,000 46,000 50,000 62,000 65,000 80,000 90,000 85,000
Total Asia 2,782,212 2,876,214 2,730,922 2,527,550 2,470,568 2,150,094 2,291,473 2,520,000 2,209,000
Americas 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ecuador 124,153 133,969 136,060 146,511 178,392 208,181 213,555 277,749 321,000
Mexico 111,787 130,201 150,000 130,000 120,000 100,000 50,000 68,000 75,000
Brazil 53,000 55,000 65,000 70,000 72,000 65,000 90,000 90,000 85,000
Honduras 11,969 14,811 17,727 20,454 21,345 21,987 29424 32,072 24,000
Nicaragua 8,622 9,227 10,879 12,272 13,636 14,545 24500 28,175 25,000
Otros 45,400 48,600 56,000 56,500 45,000 44,000 68,904 77,172 74,000
Total America 354,931 391,808 435,666 435,737 450,373 453,713 476,383 573,168 604,000
Gran Total 3,137,143 3,268,022 3,166,588 2,963,287 2,920,941 2,603,807 2,767,856 3,093,168 2,813,000

During 2008 to 2015 world production still 13.9% lower due to EMS+EHP
Production recovered in 2014 but due to price drop expected 9% drop this year.
 SHRIMP PRICE EVOLUTION
Avg. Farm gate prices 41/50
2000 2015 Source: CNA Ecuador
 NURSERY/RACEWAY
Raceway/Nursery technology has been adjusted over the last 8
years to improve the efficiency of production systems with
limiting weather conditions.

However, required higher stocking densities and biomasses in 0

water exchange systems demand higher technology,
infrastructure, controls and tools such as filtration, efficient
aeration systems, water quality, use of microorganisms,
siphoning, temperature control, better feeds, all with the
objective to keep a stable environment for a healthy and
stronger animal.
 OBJECTIVES OF RACEWAY/NURSERY

Acclimatize the animal to the grow out ecosystem condition.

Constant health control of the animals and water conditions.

Optimize and improve feeding efficiency.

Improve survival during the first days of culture and prevent exposure
of the animal to disease vectors.

Take advantage of the compensatory growth in P. vannamei when

animals are stocked to grow out ponds, to reduce cycle length and
improve FCR.

All of this can be achieved if using the proper technology; if trying to do

it on the cheap, raceways may become a problem with low survivals
and weak animals being transfered to the ponds.
 Design Evolution 2008 to 2012

50 TM 2008 50 TM 2009

100 TM 2009 500 TM 2011

RECTANGULAR TANKS
RECTANGULAR TANKS
GREENHOUSE STRUCTURES
GREENHOUSE STRUCTURES
800 TM
FLAT GREENHOUSE STRUCTURES
1000 TM
FLAT GREENHOUSE STRUCTURES
1000 TM
 RESERVOIRS
Reservoir for
disinfection and
Pumping
probiotics
station
FILTRATION
ENERGY AND AERATION
AERATION
 PROBIOTICS
Application of Specific target probiotics to control:
ORGANICS: 3 ppm probiotic every 72 hours.

TOXICS: 2-5 ppm probiotic every 48 hours.

PATHOGENS IN WATER: 2 ppm probiotic every 72 hours.

PATHOGENS IN ANIMAL: 2 to 4 g/kg probiotic.

The protocol of the different probiotics is adjusted depending of the

biomass, and water quality conditions, the objective is to maintain
optimal conditions in order to keep animal health so it can express the
compensatory growth potential when transferred.
 FEEDING CONTROL

Not a fixed table, 45% protein feed, every 2 hours, adjust depending on
feed trays, water quality and animal growth.
 EARLY TRANSFERS
smaller animals 0.4 to 1 g.

WET / if short distance.

2 kg per 20 kg bucket with saturated oxygen water to the
animal level, maximum transport time 5 minutes. Mortalities
for transport are 5 to 10%.
IN WATER / for longer distances.
1000 to 2000 liter tanks, 75 to 180 animals per liter or 20 to 40
kg per tank. Saturated oxygen. Mortalities for transport 5 to
10%.
If condition of the animal is not good at time of transfer, can
produce early mortalities in the ponds.
TRANSFERS UNTIL 2011
 TRANSFERS AFTER 2012

Until 2012 it was developed and adjusted the technology for

transfers with pumps, this reduces stress and mortality in
transfers from 3 to 5%.

In 2013 transfers with pumps were made to ponds up to 2 km

of distance from raceway unit.

The transfer capacity with pumps is of 15 kg per minute.

 AVERAGE WEIGHT AND SURVIVALS IN RACEWAYS
AT DIFERENT DENSITIES

The tendency today in Mexico is to lower density in order to achieved higher

weights in the raceways.

Biomass of 6.9 kg/m3 have been achieved.

The average results on weight and survivals are expressed in the table below
depending on stocking densities and days in raceways:

Density/lt. Days Surv %. Average weight mg.

1.8 57 86 4000 mg.
1.8 45 89 2000 mg.
2 35 87 1000 mg.
4 35 85 800 mg.
8 35 80 480 mg.
12 35 78 310 mg.
22 35 74 250 mg.
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
MEXICO WITH EMS/AHPND 2013/15
The impact of the EMS/AHPND in Mexico was severe, production dropped 60%
in 2013. In 2014 four key factors: imported Ecuadorian animals, lower densities,
size of raceway infrastructure and use of probiotics.

Significantly reduced the impact of EMS during the first 30 days in raceways,
mortalities happened once animals were stocked in the ponds.

With the experience of the first cycle and taking advantage of large raceways
infrastructure, a few groups changed the production strategy for 2014, lowering
stocking densities and prolonging the days of culture in the raceways for short
grow out cycles in the ponds for smaller shrimp target.

With current shrimp prices and shorter cycles with better FCR and different cost
structure, it becomes a viable alternative for the Mexican industry.

Good for all industry, since PL demand will increase, need of supplies for
hatchery will increase and farms keep operating with profit.

With the improved production levels of 2014, most shrimp farms increased
densities, increasing larvae demand and opening the market for local origin PLs
which increased the results variability, not only at the grow out ponds, but also at
the raceways level.
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
MEXICO WITH EMS/AHPND 2013/15

In Raceway/Nursery From Raceway to Grow out Pond

Stocking Final Density
Tons Days Weight Surv.% FCR Days FCR Surv. %
density/lt weight /m2

0.6 800 30 3.5 90 1.4 30 15 8 0.63 90

1.2 1000 45 4 88.2 1.5 14 10.4 10.6 1.56 94.73

1.8 500 57 4.28 86.56 1.65 30 17 6 0.47 85

In 2015 the raceway survivals vary between 50 to 85% mainly related to

PL source.

The farms that went for two cycles have had survivals between 45 to
75% with animals of 12 to 16 gr and productions of 700 to 1200 kg/ha.
Other farms have gone for 1 cycle and just started harvesting.
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
IN LATIN AMERICA 2013/15

Integrated groups in Central and South America have implemented Nurseries at

the farms in the last three years.

In 2013/14 trials at densities between 4 to 12 animals per liter, achieving survivals

between 70 to 90% with transfer weights of 0.3 to 1 gram. These animals, due to
compensatory growth, get to 7 to 8 grams in the first 30 days at grow out ponds,
compared with 3 to 4 g. when direct stocking.

Grow out production cycles have reduced in 20 to 30 days and FCRs are
reduced in 10 to 30%, both with a large impact in production costs.

Based on this results in 2015 groups are trying to stock all the grow out ponds
from Nursery but due to lack of infrastructure, increased stocking densities and
reduced the time in nursery to 10 to 15 days and harvesting smaller animals.

The first cycle in grow out ponds was reported to be affected by heavy vibriosis
and survivals drop to 35%. The second cycle looks with much better survivals at
expected 65% average.
 RACEWAYS USED AS GROW OUT
BIO-FLOC PLUS PROBIOTICS, WATER AND FEED

SINALOA, MEXICO. RACEWAY AREA 2000 m3. 40 HP AREATION

Stocking date 16.12.14

Harvest date 19.02.15
Days of culture 66
Stocking density 700,000 pls. ( 350 pls./m2).
Juvenile weight 1.03 g.
Survival 98%
Harvest weight 11.20 g.
F.C.R. 1.51
BIOMASS 3.83 kg./m3 = 38,000 kg/ha
Water exchange 0% only level recovery
 RACEWAYS USED AS GROW OUT
BIO-FLOC PLUS PROBIOTICS, WATER AND FEED

SINALOA, MEXICO. RACEWAY AREA 2000 m3. 40 HP AREATION

Stocking date 02.12.14

Harvest date 03.03.15
Days of culture 91
Stocking density 900,000 pls. ( 450 pls./m2).
Juvenile weight 0.89 g.
Survival 92%
Harvest weight 16.25 g.
F.C.R. 1.78
BIOMASS 6.72 kg./m3 = 67,275 kg/ha
Water exchange 0% only level recovery
 RACEWAYS USED AS GROW OUT
RECIRCULATION

SINALOA, MEXICO. RACEWAY AREA 2000 m3. 40 HP AREATION

Stocking date 03.12.14

Harvest date 04.03.15
Days of culture 91
Stocking density 850,000 pls. ( 425 pls./m2).
Juvenile weight 0.95 g.
Survival 70%
Harvest weight 16.80 g.
F.C.R. 2.15
BIOMASS 4.99 kg./m3 = 49,990 kg/ha
Water exchange 0% only level recovery
 RACEWAYS USED AS GROW OUT
TRADITIONAL (WATER EXCHANGE/ANTIBIOTICS)

SINALOA, MEXICO. RACEWAY AREA 2000 m3. 40 HP AREATION

Stocking date 01.12.14

Harvest date 04.03.15
Days of culture 94
Stocking density 880,426 pls. ( 440 pls./m2).
Juvenile weight 0.85 g.
Survival 67%
Harvest weight 16.62 g.
F.C.R. 2.75
BIOMASS 4.90 kg./m3 = 49,000 kg/ha
Water exchange 40%
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
MALAYSIA 2013/15

In Raceway/Nursery From Raceway to Grow out Pond

Stocking Final Density
Days Weight Surv. % FCR Days FCR Surv.%
density/lt weight /m2

1 30 1.5 95 1 45 18 70-80 1.3 95

2 25 1.0 95 <1 50 17 70-80 1.3 90

Successfully transfer the experience from Mexico and successful

transfer of the animals to the grow out ponds.

Based in SEA conditions, still room to improve, adjusting feeding

regimes, probiotics protocols, and temperature conditions in order to
achieve better weights in third phase.
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
THAILAND 2013/15

In Raceway/Nursery From Raceway to Grow out Pond

Stocking Final Density
Tons Days Weight Surv.% FCR Days FCR Surv. %
density/lt weight /m2

1.8 720 28 1.2 97 -

Mixed results with the implementation of nurseries, successful results in

the phase but animal condition and transfer to ponds did not give good
results in grow out ponds, this has led to:

Alternative ideas put in place: stocking in cages for the first 30 days
inside the ponds with no soil contact reportedly avoids EMS outbreak.

Also separating 20 to 30% of the pond with a net and stocking in this
area and releasing animals after 20 to 30 days.
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
THAILAND 2013/15

After results obtained, CPF is implementing and promoting raceway

technology with their largest customers, next 4 250 m2 raceways stocked
at 1000 PL/m2 for 20 to 30 days transferring 1 gr animals at 80% suvival.
RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
THAILAND 2013/15
 RACEWAY/NURSERY EXPERIENCE
VIETNAM 2013/15

In Raceway/Nursery From Raceway to Grow out Pond

Stocking Final Density
Days Weight Surv. % FCR Days FCR Surv. %
density/lt weight /m2

0.5 24 1.0 80 - 72 22.7 170 1.4 71.7

Vietnam was the first country to recover from EMS/AHPND, the main
factors involved are improved infraestructure and management, use of
probiotics in water, sediment and excess feed removal, feed additives and
use of different alternatives of raceways/nursery systems.

Local nurseries used grow out quality feeds leading to water quality
problems and problems at transfer.

Larger groups as Viet Uc going for greenhouse grow out alternative, 23

modules each with 18(4) 500 m2 ponds, target stocking density 500/m2
RACEWAYS USED AS GROW OUT
VIETNAM 2015
 SUCCESS OF
RACEWAYS/NURSERIES

30% INFRAESTRUCTURE AND BIO-SECURITY

30% MANAGEMENT AND PROPER TOOLS (Higher quality

feeds, probiotics, minerals, feed additives, monitoring and
experience managing the systems).

40% FRY QUALITY (Disease free, Genetics, nutrition)

In challenging times with presence of new diseases, adverse

environmental conditions and price pressure, the industry needs
to change and use new tools. Considering EMS/AHPND is caused
by a vibrio, these systems allow farmers to focus on controlling
vibrio in a smaller area delaying exposure to the pathogen agent.
The benefits of the implementation of Third Phase go beyond
EMS/AHPND, improving productivity and reducing costs without
additional pressure in the production systems.
 Epicore BioNetworks Inc.

MUCHAS GRACIAS!