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Because the floating garbage pile is constantly in flux, nobody really knows how big it is, but some estimates suggest its mass is double the size of Texas.
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Consumers Urged to Switch to Ethical Alternatives
Sunset of the Swordfish Harpooner, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.
The “Waitrose Supermarket” chain (UK) has announced has announced a ban on swordfish after being unable to find a sustainable source of the controversial species.
According to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) we are being warned that world stocks of Swordfish are too low to ensure future supply. In addition, the Waitrose market is concerned that the hooks commonly used to fish for swordfish pose a deadly threat to sea turtles, which are already at risk in many parts of the world.
For a fish to be termed “sustainable” in Waitrose it must meet the following criteria:
* Be a species that is not regarded as threatened or endangered
* Be caught from a well managed fishery with scientifically based quota’s
* Be caught using responsible fishing methods
* Be fully traceable from catch to consumer
We share the same ideals: Fish, shrimp and seafood should come from sustainable and well-managed fisheries or from responsibly farmed aquaculture operations.
HOW TO EAT ETHICALLY: Until an ethical source of swordfish is found, it is recommended to replace the fish with “mahi-mahi”, a fully sustainable white fish that breeds and matures quickly, enabling stocks to replenish more easily.
Without a doubt the aquaculture industry is going to be effected by many different complex trends over the coming years, all operating together, sometimes in very unexpected ways and producing changes in the industry that may be very rapid indeed. The ability of the aquaculture industry to foresee and react to these trends and changes is of vital importance to the future development and success of the sector.
Island Bounty understands the mega trends already in place, and is positioned to become the industry leader.
Anchovy Parasite Risk Determined by Origin
Friday, May 22, 2009
White Anchovies: Blogged with permission from Flickr; Originally uploaded by surfzone™ on May 21, 2009. Click picture for photographer profile.
GENERAL – The Anisakis spp parasite can still be found in one of the most emblematic Mediterranean dishes – anchovies in vinegar.
Spanish researchers have shown the parasites are present at higher levels in anchovies from the south east Atlantic coast and the north eastern Mediterranean, and urge consumers to freeze or cook the fish before eating it.
Although the European Union and Spanish regulations require restaurants to freeze fish that is eaten raw, “people still run the risk of anisakiasis infection from homemade anchovies in vinegar if they have not got into the habit of freezing the fish for at least 24 hours at -20ºC”, according to a team of scientists from the University of Granada (UGR), which has found the larvae of Anisakis spp and another similar parasite, Hysterothylacium aduncum, in anchovies from the west of the Mediterranean Sea and the east of the Atlantic Ocean.
“The risk of developing anisakiasis from eating anchovies (Engraulisencrasicolus) could be affected by the geographical area in which the fish were caught, because there is a great variation in parasitation (average prevalence and intensity) among anchovies from different areas”, Adela Valero, lead author of the study and a researcher at the UGR’s Department of Parasitology, explains to SINC.
The study, which has been published recently in the International Journal of Food Microbiology… See the source (http://tinyurl.com/r56nep) for the full story.
[The article (Rello et al (2009). The fishing area as a possible indicator of the infection by anisakids in anchovies (Engraulisencrasicolus) from southwestern Europe. JFM, 129 (3):277-281) is
accessible at http://tinyurl.com/r74hol. ADS-Mod.]
The information contained in this report is very important to modern aquaculture and the Island Bounty SA objective:
Research Project: TROPICAL AQUACULTURE: DEVELOP FEEDS FOR OPTIMUM NUTRITION OF CULTURED SHRIMP AND FINFISH
Location: Tropical Aquaculture Research| 2005 Annual Report
End Date: Jan 25, 2010
Better Feed Means Better Food
Aquaculture feed needs to be consistent with what we are trying to sell the the people; the end consumer. It is a fact: “we are what we eat.”
Shrimp and other products made in aquaculture raceways will become what we mold them to be. If the live product is fed too much corn meal we see a higher level of Omega 6 fatty acids.
Lower the corn meal in the feed and implement higher quality meal consistent with Omega 3 fatty acid and we see higher levels of the “good cholesterol.”
Feeding with fish meal saturated with the right antioxidants promotes not only good health and growth in shrimp , but a healthier product to the end consumer. This has been proven through research.
The Island Bounty approach is to take the best feed program that exists in the aquaculture industry (we have it already), then increase certain nutriments and test the animals at harvest.
Traditionally, many aquaculture farmers feed their stock what they can buy locally and at a good price. The farmers are only really concerned with increased weight and not quality of the nutriments you will receive while eating their product.
It is our firm conviction that we can achieve both in a happy medium. Good fast growth and a quality, healthy, consumable product. A product which contains better levels of nutriments than industry standards.
This will take continued research and quantifiable testing measures. We do believe, after comparing studies, the data can be obtained to assist us in our nutritional marketing, maintaining good health in our product, and passing on the benefits of healthy, clean, aquaculture practices on to our consumers, while aiding the world food crisis.
Aquaculture Research Details:
Start Date: Jan 26, 2005
End Date: Jan 25, 2010
Objective:
Problem to be Addressed: A critical need and unique opportunity to address the feasibility of locally produced feeds for the aquaculture industry.
Develop a cooperative effort towards the goal of establishing long-term sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Objective 1: Define the nutrient requirements of aquaculture species in the state, especially the Pacific threadfin, longfin amberjack, and Pacific white shrimp. Objective 2: Identify and test regionally available plant and animal by-products for their nutritional composition and bioavailability in aquaculture feeds, and produce nutritionally complete diets for evaluation. Objective 3: Test the effectiveness of the produced feeds on commercial scale through collaborations with University and commercial partners.
Research Project: Tropical Aquaculture: Develop Feeds for Optimum Nutrition of Cultured Shrimp and Finfish Project Number: 5320-31000-007-00
Project Type: Appropriated
Do you really know what's in your food?
As we march into a brand new year, the most widely made Resolution is to “watch what we eat,” but do you really know for sure what’s in your food?
- Your family has a dentist, right?
- Your family has a doctor…or three, right?
- Your business has an accountant and book keeper, right?
- You have a lawyer for your house sale, a lawyer for your will and a lawyer for your estate. Right.
- Do you have a local farmer or a fisherman for your food?
Do you have someone you can identify as providing you or your family with local, safe, disease free, healthy and nutritious food? What are you really eating? What is your three year old daughter really eating for dinner?
Without good, clean and healthy food, nothing else matters.
(If we ate good, clean, healthy food…we wouldn’t even need a dentist!)
Island Bounty Foods is pointing our health focus to best understand the source of our food. Where is our food grown? What has been put into our foods before we consume it? What chemicals are our children’s body’s consuming? Sadly, we do not know what we are eating.
To be sure, Island Bounty Foods is not the first group to point us toward better understanding the source of our food supply. Yet, their continuous information feed is very interesting and timely to us right now! This is a very serious concern for all of us to zero in on in 2009, and beyond.
Did you know that shrimp grown in China are not allowed into USA?
Why not? It’s called unclean food!! Unsafe food!! Dangerous food!! It is time to grow local, buy local, and buy clean and disease free food.
More companies such as Island Bounty Foods should step forward in 2009 and ring the disease free bell. Our children’s future health depends on it!! And on that positive and sustainable note, I bid you a happy and healthier New Year 2009.
Selected Scholarly Aquaculture and Seafood Readings
It is already a well established fact: We have over-fished our oceans…
Aquaculture Offers Hope to Millions
As a result, if the planet’s oceans continue to be over-harvested, countless millions are going to suffer. What is the most reasonable solution to feed the multitudes and continue to sustain population growth? How do we come to the aid of an already struggling fishing industry?
Modern Aquaculture Technology.
Below are sited some scholarly works by well respected, published authorities on aquaculture trends, fish and seafood regulations in the US, international aquaculture, fish and shrimp raceway hatchery standards, sustainable seafood regulators, and much more.
The authors are cited with very specific details related to where their works are published and where to find them to investigate aquaculture more fully.
These scholarly works are not just for the technically savvy biologist or researcher. They are provided for anyone who wants to research the newest trends in aquaculture that are making a difference in the world today.
In other words, don’t just “take our word for it”. Read up on modern day aquaculture from experts who have pioneered the field along with us over the last two decades.
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Cohen, J., T.M. Samocha, J.M. Fox and A.L. Lawrence. 2005. Biosecured production of juvenile Pacific white shrimp in an intensive raceway system with limited water discharge. Aquacultural Engineering 32(3-4):425-442.
Davis, D.A. and C.R. Arnold.1998. The design, management and production of a recirculating raceway system for the production of marine shrimp. Aquacultural Engineering 17:193-211.
Gandy, R.L. 1997. U.S. national live bait shrimp market survey. Master’s thesis, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Gandy, R., T.M. Samocha, E.R. Jones, and D.A. McKee. 2001.
The Texas live bait shrimp market. Journal of Shellfish Fisheries 20(1):365-367. de Garza, Yta, D.B. Rouse and D.A. Davis. 2004. Influence of nursery period on the growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei under pond production conditions. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 35:357-35.
Hanson T.R., R.K. Wallace, L.U. Hatch and W. Hosking. 1999. Coastal Alabama recreational live bait study, Report on the 1997 and 1998 Alabama live bait market surveys. Report prepared for the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center, 4170 Commander’s Dr., Mobile, Alabama. AUMERC 00-1. 30pp.
Mays, R., J.A. Venero, D.A. Davis, D.B. Rouse and I.P. Saoud. (in press). Nursery protocols for the rearing of the brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus: effects of stocking density, salinity and EDTA on growth and survival. Journal of Applied Aquaculture.
Sandifer, P.A., J. S. Hopkins, A.D. Stokes and C.L. Browdy. 1993. Preliminary comparisons of the native Penaeus setiferus and Pacific Penaeus vannamei white shrimp for pond culture in South Carolina.
Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 24:295-303.
Samocha, T.M., B.J. Burkott, A.L. Lawrence, Y.S. Juan, E.R. Jones and D.A. McKee. 1998. Management strategies for production of the Atlantic white shrimp Penaeus setiferus as bait shrimp in outdoor ponds. Journal of World Aquaculture Society 29:211-220.
Samocha, T.M. and R. Gandy. 2000. Protocol for nursery raceway. Acuacultura del Ecuador 39:72-77.
Zajicek, P., D. Zimett, C. Adama and A. Lazur. 1997. Live bait shrimp market analysis and farm enterprise budget. Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
This week, people of all classes, colors and faiths stood together and watched in awe as millions participated in Democracy to elect the next President of the United States.
- How is this important to modern aquaculture today?
- What will this mean for the Blue Revolution?
- What will the impact of a new US President mean for “Going Green”?
Millions of “Green Jobs” Will Boost the World Economy
Green Economy Growth Change is Vital
Island Bounty is dedicated to watching world trends closely. President Elect Obama stated his top priority is “…a building a low-carbon, clean-energy economy” once he gets to the White House. He has pledged to create 5 million green jobs!
It’s exciting to know that another World Leader is behind the vital mission to infuse the global economy, to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and pledges to encourage the Going Green momentum.
Island Bounty has always stood by these ideals. We passionately support this commitment. It’s long past time for a sincere Green Revolution.
Is a Green Revolution really possible OR is that just an unrealistic dream?
The truth is, “going green” and making good on that promise will not be a easy. According CNN, there is “Big Business” opposition forecasting negativity for the word wide effort to save and protect the Planet. Another argument is “…tackling the climate crisis will result in a net loss of work opportunities for America.”
Great Hopes for Clean Energy, Sustainable Seafood, Modern Aquaculture, and “Going Green”
Clean Energy offers real solutions for Going Green
There are many other reports that give us great hope that going green is not just a dream, but is a viable reality.
“A new report released today shows that the U.S. can create two million jobs by investing in a rapid green economic recovery program, which will strengthen the economy, increase energy independence, and fight global warming.”
- Political Economy Research Institute
At Island Bounty, SA - we will continue to put forth sound proposals to spur “green economy” growth. We will continue to support economic progress and ecological integrity, not just in the US, but worldwide!
- We pledge to continue to connect the people that need and want to work in the field of progressive, modern aquaculture.
- We pledge to never give up on the future of environmental sustainability, the production of “green,” clean, disease-free seafood to feed the world in a great time of need.
The Future of Aquaculture: Examples of Ethical Issues
Fish Farming and Related Issues
Island Bounty, SA
Without a doubt the aquaculture industry is going to be effected by many different complex trends over the coming years, all operating together, sometimes in very unexpected ways and producing changes in the industry that may be very rapid indeed.
The ability of the aquaculture industry to foresee and react to these trends and changes is of vital importance to the future development and success of the sector.
Island Bounty understands the mega trends already in place, and is positioned to become the industry leader.
Professor Martin Schreibman says, “Our oceans have been overfished beyond repair. If we’re going to keep eating fish and chips, tuna tartare, and all those omega-3 fatty acids, we have to rely on aquaculture..” to supplement our World Food Supply.
ABOUT THE VIDEO: Schreibman is working to bring those fish farms into the city. Urban Aquaculture!
“The early Hawaiians took advantage of natural fish ponds near the ocean. The seawater seeps through cracks in the lava (too small for fish to escape) and combines with spring water to create a brackish pool of filtered water.” – Image Description.
Aquaculture as we know it today has Ancient roots. It is well documented that Aquaculture had its beginnings in China somewhere around 2,500 BC.
Carp were held up in artificial ponds for use as a source of protein and their “brood” were used to feed their exotic, and much coveted, silkworms. Through breeding and genetic mutation, those Carp became what we know today as the common Goldfish.
The Romans kept fish ponds for both food and enjoyment. The Ancient Hawaiians pioneered Aquaculture; raising both fish for food and plants for consumption, and aesthetic beauty. Their aquaculture centered on lore and mythical gods and deities. Thus aquaculture had a very significant role in their everyday life aside from being “just for food.”
Modern Aquaculture, as we know it, is a new animal. It is relatively “new” because the need for a reliable source of healthy, sustainable food has steadily increased as our Earth’s population has exploded. The ocean can only yield so much (much to the lament of modern-day Fishermen and Shrimpers).
Following the tradition of the Ancients, the wise thing to do was to create a better way to feed the Earth’s population. “Underwater Agriculture,” “The Blue Revolution,” “Fish and Shrimp Farming,” – call it what you like, the reality is the same.
The Ancient Art of Aquaculture has evolved today into a way to feed a multitude…for a fraction of the cost, with less waste, more quality control and, when implemented correctly, a “clean-green” source of protein for the benefit of all.
We cannot “Save the entire World,” yet. However, what we can do, is start by making sure that in our Communities, people are being educated about Modern Aquaculture Technology. We can start by pioneering fresh, new ways to produce disease-free seafood. We can start a new way of looking at how we eat, what we eat…and “how” it gets “here.”
That’s what Modern Aquaculture is all about and that’s the very core of what Island Bounty, SA stands for.
Island Bounty’s mission is very focused at the highest level of bio-security within its aquaculture production model.
The Modern Aquaculture Technology that we implement and practice will ensure that Island Bounty Foods maintains and produces safe, nutritious domestic seafood products.
Food hygiene relates to “all conditions and measures necessary to ensure the safety and suitability of food at all stages of the foodchain”.
From incubation to the “plate,” we have the modern technology necessary to create Safe Seafood. Aquaculture is a very positive branch of Science and Technology that helps our society in too many ways to count.
What’s so Great about Aquaculture? It only makes practical sense! We are over-harvesting our oceans on a global scale. Farming seafood can provide a consistent, high-quality, year-round supply of healthy, clean food and a major source of protein for millions of the Earth’s inhabitants.
Not to mention…some really delicious meals! | IMAGE: “Boiled Shrimp” | Seafood | Originally uploaded by aolima
