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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161263
Title: USE OF SUPER-INTENSIVE GREENHOUSE-ENCLOSED RACEWAY SYSTEMS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JUVENILE LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI

Author
item MCABEE, BRAD - SC NATURAL RESOURCES
item BRUCE, JEFF - SC NATURAL RESOURCES
item Weirich, Charles
item STOKES, ALVIN - SC NATURAL RESOURCES
item BROWDY, CRAIG - SC NATURAL RESOURCES

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2002
Publication Date: 2/1/2003
Citation: Mcabee, B.J., Bruce, J.W., Weirich, C.R., Stokes, A.D., Browdy, C.L. 2003. Use of super-intensive greenhouse-enclosed raceway systems for the production of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei [abstract]. In: Aquaculture America Conference. p. 169.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: One of the major limitations associated with pond-based shrimp production in the continental US is the abbreviated growing season inherent to subtropical and temperate regions. For example, in coastal South Carolina water temperatures conducive for shrimp growth exist only from roughly mid-April to mid-September. This factor constrains overall production, and at the elevated stocking densities currently employed, can restrict shrimp size at harvest. In an effort to reduce time required for growout and to enhance animal size at harvest, super-intensive greenhouse-enclosed raceway culture technologies were evaluated as a means to produce juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei for stocking in lieu of PL. To date, several juvenile production trials have been conducted using pilot and commercial-scale greenhouse-enclosed prototype super-intensive raceway systems. The pilot scale system consists of two 55 m2 HDPE-lined, sediment-free raceways; the commercial-scale system consists of a single 282 m2 unit. Each can be equipped with AquaMats for vertical surface enhancement. Aeration is supplied by blown air and propane-based water heating is achieved using heat exchange units (pilot-scale system) or a recirculating water pump system (commercial-scale system), which also aids in water movement. Temperature is moderated during warmer months via shade cloth covering and thermostat-controlled fans. External biological or mechanical filtration has yet to be employed in either system. Two weeks prior to stocking of PL-10/20, raceway units are filled with UV-sterilized water and fertilized to establish planktonic communities. PL are then reared using standard feeding and husbandry protocols for 30-40 d. Results obtained thus far indicate that producing juvenile L. vannamei using greenhouse-based super-intensive systems is biologically feasible. To date, survival of animals produced in each trial has been > 90%, with mean harvest weight exceeding 0.25 g at 30 d post-stocking. Although this production strategy has not yet been evaluated on an economic basis, results of pond production trials have demonstrated that overall production and harvest size is enhanced when juveniles are stocked in place of PL. In addition, greenhouse-based production systems provide the opportunity for early as well as mid-season juvenile production, thus supporting alternative pond production strategies such as double-cropping. Finally, greenhouse based nursery systems allow for a period of quarantine to assure health status of imported PL before stocking into growout systems.