SHRIMP PL-5 TRANSPORT PACKING

Sent: June 24, 2000

QUESTION:

I would like to run some dry tests on packing L. vannamei PL-5's and younger to withstand 20-30h transport time with maximum survival and would appreciate any inputs from your experiences (i.e.: packing density, temperature, feed, etc)? Our standard shipping package is an 80 litre isothermic foam box fitted with two double bags, each containing 15 litres of seawater (2/3) and 1/3 of saturated O₂.

Manoel Tavares
Aqualider Maricultura Ltda.
R. dos Navegantes 2.277 sala D
Recife, PE - Brazil 51.020-011

Tel./Fax: +55 81 465-8252

E-mail: lider@aqualider.com.br

URL : http://www.aqualider.com.br

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COMMENTS 1:

1) I think you will find PL5's have insufficient osmoregulating ability (due to incomplete gill development) to stock into most estuarine ponds - unless you are stocking into ponds or nurseries of seawater salinities. This poor osmoregulatory ability may also have an impact on long shipping periods where water quality is a major factor. Most producers that I work with prefer to stock at least PL 8's and if they are going into low salinity - at least PL 12's.

2) Chill your boxes to about 19°C with 0.5 µm filtered water and do not feed.

3) A large water volume in the box may be less important than a large atmosphere - not for oxygen, but to allow CO₂ to come out of the shipping water. Some studies show that the shrimp succumb to high CO₂ levels rather than the high ammonia or low O₂ as commonly thought. You might want to read some work by Dr. Ken Johnson from TAMU on shipping using minimal water. Should be in the WAS Journal.

Durwood Dugger

BCI, Inc.

E-mail: dugger@gate.net

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COMMENTS 2 :

For 15 hour shipments we pack up to 35,000 PL-5's per bag with 10 litres of seawater and pure oxygen. Water temp is 18°C. We add about 6 live Artemia naups per each PL and a commercial aquarium product to bind ammonia. We normally get better than 90% survival. For 20 - 30 hours I would for sure lower this density.

Lorenzo Juarez

GMSB

E-mail : ljuarez@seafarmsgroup.com

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