Shrimp/Prawn

May 20, 2013

China

Sino Agro Food Reports Record First Quarter 2013 Earnings

Sino Agro Food, Inc. (SIAF) is a publicly traded, integrated, diversified agricultural technology and organic food company focused on developing, producing and distributing agricultural products in the People’s Republic of China. It has five divisions: fisheries, beef, organic fertilizers, cattle and marketing.  Within the fisheries division it farms eels, sleeping cod and shrimp.

SIAF intends to focus on meeting the increasing demand of China’s rising middle class for gourmet and high-quality food items.

On May 16, 2013, Sino Agro Food announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2013.

• Revenue: $55,107,751—compared to $15,980,016 in 2012, up 245%.

• Gross Profit: $21,522,817—compared to $8,013,592 in 2012, up 169%.

• Net Income from Continuing Operations: $16,378,772—compared to $5,632,769 in 2012, up 191%.

• Basic Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations: $0.16—compared to $0.08 in 2012, up 100%.

• Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations: $0.14—compared to $0.07 in 2012 up 100%.

Revenues of $55.1 million in the first quarter of 2013 continued a string of four consecutive sequential quarterly records. During first quarter 2013, stockholders’ equity increased by $24,750,595 to $241,841,337.

Fishery Division Performance

Revenue from the fishery division increased by $20,772,686 (187%) to $31,867,295 during the first quarter of 2013, compared to $11,094,609 for the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily due to the company’s increased contract service income from fish (sleepy cod, eels) and shrimp development contracts.

The price of live shrimp rose on average over 100% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012.  Currently wholesale prices for white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) average $12/kg to $32/kg, depending on size.  Prices are much higher for other species including green shrimp.  On April 22, 2013, Sino Agro stocked its Shrimp Farm #1, the first indoor shrimp farm in Asia.  The Company expects to produce 250-300 metric tons of shrimp in 2013.

Conference Call with Investors

On May 20, 2012, during its conference call with investors, Shrimp News asked Solomon Lee, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Sino Agro Food, a couple of questions:

Shrimp News: In Southeast Asia today, shrimp farms are being devastated by a new disease called early mortality syndrome (EMS), do you have any problems with EMS in your Prawn Farm #1 or Prawn Farm #2.

Solomon Lee: No, in our prawn farms, we have been very lucky so far, but we know that it has been a common disease in China this season.  That’s why prices are rising so rapidly.  In our farms, so far, so good.  Because we use recirculating systems, I think we’re pretty safe.  We get our postlarvae from our own hatchery.  I don’t think EMS will be a problem for us this year.

Shrimp News: How is EMS affecting other shrimp farms in China?

Solomon Lee: In the Guangdong District [immediately north of Hong Kong], many ponds are experiencing mortalities a week after stocking.

Information: Solomon Lee, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Sino Agro Food, Inc., GZ Office, Room 3801, 38/F, Block A, China Shine Plaza, No. 9 Lin He Xi Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510610, China (phone 6012-2004963, fax: 86-20-22057863, email info@siafchina.com, webpage http://www.sinoagrofood.com).

Sources: 1. PR Newswire.  A Sino Agro Food Press Release.  Sino Agro Food, Inc., Reports Record Quarterly Revenue of $55.1M with EPS of $016.  May 16, 2013.  2. Sino Agro Food, Inc..  First Quarter 2013 Earnings Conference Call.  Solomon Lee.  May 20, 2013.

The Honduran government decided to take a number of precautionary measures, applicable both by air and by land to prevent the entry of the shrimp early mortality syndrome (EMS), also known as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome (AHPNS).
This disease has caused mass death of farmed shrimp in several countries in Asia. In 2011, China's aquaculture farms, especially in Hainan, Guangdong, Fujian and Guangxi, recorded an 80 per cent loss because of this disease, the newspaper La Tribuna reported.
As part of the prevention strategy, last week the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) trained producers and technicians of the National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA), alerting them about the symptoms of this terrible disease.
OIRSA is an intergovernmental organization specializing in health agribusiness that provides technical cooperation to the ministries and secretaries of Agriculture and Livestock of the nine Member States: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Dominican Republic.
"Training is being conducted at the request of Honduras, which exports 50 million pounds a year, generating USD 200 million in foreign exchange," said the director of Senasa, Heriberto Amador.
Recently researchers at the University of Arizona were able to determine that the pathogen that causes this disease to the prawn is a bacterial agent.
OIRSA executive director, Guillermo Alvarado Downing said that the spread can occur due to several reasons, considering that there is cross-trading as Asia sells shrimp in America and in Europe, as well as Honduras.
"It can be transmitted through a product carrying a passenger, even the producers themselves import larvae and sometimes bring live shrimp," he warned.
Therefore, he recommended strengthening peripheral quarantine in the region in Asian products and "being alert to any symptoms."
This initiative is supported by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) and the National Aquaculture Association of Honduras (ANDAH).
The shrimp industry in the OIRSA region directly employs around 135,000 and indirectly it offers jobs to 160,000 people.
According to figures provided by the FAO, farmed marine shrimp production grew more than 200 per cent in 2012 compared with 2000 and 2011. And last year 172,922 tonnes of shrimp were produced in the region for USD 658 million.
Related articles:
- Scientists discover pathogen behind EMS outbreaks
- Live shrimp imports banned to prevent EMS outbreak
- Shrimp organisation concern about EMS possible impact
- Asian shrimp imports stopped

United States
Synthetic Genomics Inc announced a new co-funded research agreement with ExxonMobil to develop algae biofuels from strains with significantly improved production characteristics by employing synthetic genomic science and technology.

Researchers recently identified the causative agent behind a mysterious disease that has been decimating shrimp farms in Asia over the past two years. Infected shrimp ponds experienced extremely high levels of mortality early in the growing cycle — as high as 100% death rates in some cases. FAO is urgently engaging with partners to organise a concerted, inter-regional effort to implement appropriate countermeasures. One solution seems to be found.

On 3rd May 2013 AllAboutFeed published an item on the breakthrough in the mystery of the Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) in shrimp by the University of Arizona. The research group led by Dr Lightner confirmed the bacteria strain Vibrio parahaemolyticus initiated by a viral phage was the causative agent of the mysterious disease, also known as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome (AHPNS). Knowing the specific pathogen brings treatment and prevention closer.
Earlier investigations on the effect of antibiotics on EMS in shrimp showed that giving shrimp high doses of antibiotics results in an EMS free cycle. However, the use of high doses of antibiotics is not preferred due to the risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the negative effects on international trading possibilities. 
From the beginning of this year Framelco and several research groups have been testing new products to fight EMS and combat this disease which is causing massive losses in shrimp farming. A specific blend of 1-monoglycerides has been developed to fight both the viral and bacterial causative agents. With success: the first EMS-free cycle on EMS infected farms has been achieved.
The 1-monoglycerides are well-known for their effective inhibiting properties on different bacteria strains and fat coated viruses. The molecules are produced by linking a fatty acid to the alpha-position of a glycerol molecule by esterification. A joint research with the University of Lisbon showed that the newly developed 1-monoglycerides blend disturbs specific structures within the membranes of bacteria, and destabilise the fat-envelope of viruses. Thereby 1-monoglycerides inhibit multiplication of these pathogens. The molecules are effective during the entire gastrointestinal tract and are also taken up by the blood stream.
In agriculture the products are being used for several years now. A wide range of practical trials showed that dietary inclusion of 1-monoglycerides successfully improved animal health and performance and drastically reduced the use of antibiotics and other medicines in agriculture. 1-Monoglycerides are very stable with neutral odour and taste, pH independent and heat stable up to at least 160 degrees Celsius. These characteristics make the 1-monoglycerides a very suitable product for processing.
At the moment different trials are running in Vietnam and Thailand to further develop the products in order to adjust them specifically to battle EMS in shrimp. Since not all factors influencing the treatment are fully investigated, more farms with EMS problems are sought to test the products. Although curative use have showed promising results, preventive use is recommended.
Companies willing to test can contact Framelco at d.hermsen@framelco.com.

The prospects for Thai prawn exports look dim this year, with the strong Thai baht as well as a drastic shortage stemming from the emerging disease known as early mortality syndrome (EMS).
Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), warned exports are expected to lose 20-30 billion baht worth of prawn shipments if the government does not come up with immediate measures to tackle the new prawn disease, which first occurred in Thailand late last year. Affected are giant tiger prawns and white leg prawns.
EMS, also known as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome, is characterised by mass mortality during the first 20-30 days of culture in grow-out ponds.
Clinical signs of the disease include slow growth, corkscrew swimming, loose shells and pale coloration.
Affected prawns consistently show shrunken, small, swollen or discoloured hepatopancreases.
The outbreak has led small farmers to stay away from investing in prawn farms, as they are afraid of losses.
"The outbreak of EMS affecting prawn farms is more devastating than previously thought and expected to cause a drop in crustacean production. Without any immediate solutions, we forecast exports will drop by 20-30 billion baht or 25 per cent to 37.5 per cent this year from 80 billion last year."
Mr Poj said lower supply means Thailand will likely ship less than 350,000 tonnes this year, with overall prawn production estimated at 480,000 to 500,000 tonnes.
MCOT online news reports that Thailand's prawn supply has been slashed by half in Q1, with total supply from domestic prawn farms reaching only 57,000 tonnes, a sharp drop from the average 100,000 tonnes.
He called on the Finance Ministry and Bank of Thailand to work closely in finding measures to urgently help the private sector while the prawn farming industry is in need of financial liquidity.
Without assistance, the industry may produce less than 60,000 tonnes of prawn in Q2 while the total yield this year may not reach 400,000 tonnes.

HONDURAS - Doctor José Heriberto Amador Salinas, Director of SENASA (National Service for Agriculture and Livestock), Honduras, has informed the OIE that a simulation exercise on necrotising hepatopancreatitis (or Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS)) will take place in Choluteca from 13 to 18 May 2013.
Delegates from countries of the OIRSA1 Region (veterinarians, biologists, scientists within the same field), private companies as well as the Honduras National Association of Aquaculture Producers (ANDAH) will participate in this exercise.
The overall aim of the exercise is to reinforce the capacities of the Veterinary Services of countries within the OIRSA Region in the quick and adequate response to a necrotising hepatopancreatitis outbreak.
The specific objectives of this simulation exercise are to:
reinforce technically the capacity of the epidemiological screening in front of a possible occurrence of this exotic disease;
elaborate an Emergency Plan for shrimp diseases;
assess actions to be taken in front of a possible occurrence of an early mortality syndrome (EMS) in shrimps, based on the elaborated Emergency Plan.

This exercise will be carried out in a process plant, in aquaculture production farms and in a larval production centre.

PANGASINAN'S shrimp industry, which has basically been producing enough for local household consumption, can soon aim for the global market with the use of a mechanized system introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) center based in Dagupan City.
Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the BFAR center, announced that last month's testing of a mechanized system has proven effective in increasing production of shrimps by as much five times using a especially-designed aerator.
Rosario said shrimp growers can use the mechanism for "smart farming and for the Philippines to be globally competitive" in the shrimp industry.
"We want to promote this mechanized farming system for better fish production per unit area," Rosario said.
"With the aerator, mechanically, we inject oxygen," he said.
Rosario lamented that Pangasinan which is gifted by nature with aquaculture potentials with hundreds of fishponds, produces shrimps to meet demands for household consumption only.
He noted that the machine, donated to the BFAR, is already being used in other countries for high-value fish, but it's proven that it's equally ideal for vannamei shrimps in the Philippines.
COST-EFFICIENT
Rosario explained that the machine, which creates micro bubbles for faster transfer of oxygen from the air to the water that is vital for shrimp survival, is cost-efficient because it will allow a higher yield per unit area.
"Normally without aeration, you're lucky if you produce one ton per hectare using the present system like (the traditional) 'blind' system of culture," Rosario said.
He said the use of this technology is the right response to proper and more profitable shrimp growing especially in the face of climate change.
Some fish farmers have the wrong notion about they have to use the machine 24 hours, he said.
He explained that from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., dissolved oxygen of fishponds is at its highest level and slowly declines later and its lowest is 4:00 a.m. to 9 or 10 a.m.  and it increases again.
With this mechanically-injected oxygen, there would be 24-hour assurance of enough oxygen supply for the shrimps, he said.
He noted that in countries like Vietnam and Thailand that use the machine, farmers are able to produce 10 tons in a 2,500 square meter pond without running it for 24 hours.
Rosario also stressed that he is not promoting a particular brand even if he was introduced to the aerator by an American company whose representative visited Pangasinan to explore a possible tie-up with a local fish grower for importation of shrimp products to Vietnam.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Rosario also said the machine helps address the problems brought about by climate change to pond operators.
"Before we had luxury of area (of fishponds) but there is now a reversed situation because there is flooding so it's better to have small area with bigger production," he said.
Rosario also said the Philippines can take advantage of the current Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) that affects shrimps in some countries, particularly Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China.
The Philippines, which is still a shrimp importer, has not been affected by the disease.
"The Philippines has no EMS so we can really promote culture of shrimps because first we are importer and second we can be exporter," Rosario said.
Pangasinan is particularly safe from the threat EMS because the BFAR center in Dagupan has a molecular pathology laboratory which detects at a very early stage when a shrimp is a virus-carrier.
He said Pangasinan is ready because of the existing molecular pathology laboratory at the BFAR Center here which detects at very early stage when a shrimp is already a virus-carrier.
"So our only problem now is how to teach these farmers of culturing shrimps that would not be stricken with diseases and how to maximize use of their fishponds related to production," Rosario said.
He said there nine private hatcheries availing themselves of the services of the laboratory to ensure they grow disease-free shrimp fry.
BFAR is ready to refer interested shrimp growers to these reputable hatcheries certified free of any known diseases- Eva Visperas

May 10, 2013

Mexico

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Phages and Brine Shrimp

Shrimp News: I don’t pretend to understand all this stuff about Vibrio parahaemolyticus and phages, but since this study mentions both of them in conjunction with brine shrimp, I thought that those in the scientific community might glean something from it that will lead to a better understanding of early mortality syndrome in shrimp.

Study’s Highlights

• A challenge model was developed to evaluate the control of vibriosis in Artemia.

• Phage therapy was evaluated to control the mortality induced by Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

• The effect of delayed phage therapy were compared with oxytetracycline treatment.

• Efficacy of phage therapy is compromised by the degree of advance of the infection.

Study’s Abstract

“Phage therapy is an alternative to control bacterial pathogens in aquaculture.  The extensive use is apparently feasible, however it is necessary to know its potential limitations arising from the particular characteristics of the aquatic environment in terms of the dynamics of bacterial infections, in particular because under some circumstances, the direct release of phages is the unique alternative to apply the treatment to the cultures.  In the present study the efficacy of phage therapy was evaluated under gnotobiotic conditions during the induced vibriosis of Artemia franciscana.  Axenic brine shrimp nauplii were infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus and treated with phage therapy, the effect of the reduction in the phage dose and the effect of delay treatment were evaluated.  The vibriosis was successfully prevented by phage therapy; a single dosage of vpms1 phage was effective to eliminate the adverse effects of V. parahaemolyticus in brine shrimp (P <0.001) and their efficacy was not affected by the reduction in the dosage, even at a multiplicity of infection of 0.45.  However, its beneficial effects were compromised during the infection progress; when the application of phages was delayed, phage therapy was ineffective to control the mortality induced by V. parahaemolyticus. In conclusion, under the evaluated conditions the phage therapy was effective to prevent vibriosis in brine shrimp, however, in advanced infections their ability to control the vibriosis is limited.”

Source: Aquaculture.  Efficacy of Phage Therapy to Prevent Mortality During the Vibriosis of Brine Shrimp.  S.F. Martínez-Díaz (sdiaz@ipn.mx) and A. Hipólito-Morales (Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Science, CICIMAR-IPN, Playa el Conchalito sn, La Paz, Baja California Sur, CP 23090, Mexico)  Volume 400–401, Pages 120–124, June 20, 2013.

May 10, 2013

United States

Arizona—Dr. Lightners Paper To Be Published in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Ramraj (padlab@yahoo.com): My impression is that with the complexities involved, the prevention or finding a solution to the EMS is going to be a long drawn out process.

Matthew Briggs: (koygung101@yahoo.co.uk): Lightners’ paper on the cause of EMS has been submitted to the journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms and will come out soon (not sure when). So keep an eye out for that.  I certainly agree, that although this is a very good and welcome development, it may still take considerable time to come out with a cure or even cost-effective prevention strategies (if we ever do).  Hope I’m wrong though!

For background information on Dr. Donald Lightner, CLICK HERE.

Source: The Shrimp List (a mailing list for shrimp farmers). EMS/AHPNS. Friday, May 10, 2013.

Despite its desert landscape and lack of an ocean, Tucson is home to one of the world's leading experts in shrimp pathology - University of Arizona professor Donald Lightner of the UA's shrimp pathology center.
It's among the pre-eminent shrimp-disease diagnostic centers in the world.
Lightner, who started the center in 1986, shares his expertise with shrimp farmers and researchers around the world.
The facility studies issues that affect the health of shrimp so the industry can flourish and so consumers aren't at potential risk.
The main focus is on health issues that affect other shrimp and crustaceans, according to Lightner.
"Very few problems in shrimp are zoonotic, meaning that they are a threat to humans," he said. Which is good for consumers because "the quality of shrimp on the U.S. market gets better all the time."
Lightner said his favorite part about his job is that "we discover something new, completely new, every year.
"We will describe a new disease, find out something that's unique about the animals that we work with," he said, "that no one knew before.
"That's the whole idea," Lightner said. "Every year we get a little bit better with sustainability."
It's important to study diseases that affect shrimp stock and sustainability because it's one of the most widely consumed types of seafood in the world, and the most consumed in the U.S., Lightner said.
The U.S. imports more than $4 billion in shrimp every year. And yes, Lightner says he eats shrimp.
Big role for little critters
The small creatures also play an important role in the wild because most ocean animals eat shrimp.
The center's study of disease-diagnostic methods of farm-raised shrimp is valuable because "shrimp farming passed shrimp fisheries in terms of production about three years ago," Lightner said.
For example, Lightner and his team are studying a new bacterial disease called "early mortality syndrome," which is causing serious problems for shrimp farmers in Southeast Asia. The disease causes shrimp to die right after they are stocked, he said.
The center also works with companies that use selective breeding programs to develop shrimp stocks that are resistant to specific viral diseases.
Although Lightner received his masters degree and doctorate in fish pathology in 1971, he said it was nearly impossible to find a job in the fisheries area. Instead, he took the first job opening at the National Marine Fisheries Laboratory for shrimp in Galveston, Texas.
"At that time they were developing shrimp aquaculture methods - primarily hatchery methods," he said.
"It was the really early stages of shrimp aquaculture development," which means that the shrimp are grown on a farm, rather than caught in the wild.
Lightner accepted a position at UA and moved to Tucson in 1975. Once here, he began work on a shrimp-growing project in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, also known as Rocky Point.
"It was one of the first attempts anywhere in the world to develop super-intensive culture," he said.
Worldwide reach
Lightner became the head of UA's shrimp pathology center at the West Campus Aquaculture Center, which opened in 1986 at Miracle Mile and Interstate 10.
After being open for 27 years and becoming one of the top-notch shrimp disease diagnostic centers in the world, UA's center now receives shrimp samples from all around the world.
"There's probably about 50 or so countries globally that are involved in shrimp aquaculture," Lightner said, "and we get samples from most of them."
Shrimp samples are mailed in alcohol to preserve the specimens for tests.
Lightner teaches shrimp farmers and researchers from around the world. He created the Shrimp Pathology Short Course in 1989 in response to many requests "from people who wanted to come to my lab for training, but we just couldn't accommodate them all."
Lightner has taught more than 600 participants from 55 countries since it began, and expects 24 participants from nine countries this year.
Lightner's UA facility became a reference laboratory for the World Organization for Animal Health in 1993.
Drew McCullough is a University of Arizona student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact him at 573-4117 or at starapprentice@azstarnet.com