The Board of Directors of Island Bounty Foods is pleased to announce that Dr Jeffrey Davidson, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, has joined their Board as Director of Research and Innovation. 

Island Bounty’s Chairman R.J. Beatty said: 

“Dr Jeffrey Davidson is an internationally renowned aquaculture production and health veterinarian and scientist, with 20 years of global shrimp research experience.  He is presently Professor in the Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.  He has led and / or participated in hundreds of significant research projects, including:

•   Consultation to the Ecuadorian Shrimp Farmers Group
  
•   Collaboration with  Texas A&M University studying an outbreak of NHP on Texas Shrimp farms
  
•   Research proposal development on  Slow Growth Syndrome in Penaeus monodon in collaboration with the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific
  
•   Conducted field based clinical trials in Thailand in conjunction with Kasetsart University and Progressive Bioactives
  
•   Visiting professor at Kasetsart University presenting the course ‘Production, Health and Diagnostic Management of Shrimp and Tropical Fish Aquaculture’ in 2005, 2007 and 2009.
  

Dr Davidson is heading up the Island Bounty Research team.  Their most recent project is titled: “The Dark Environment, Bio-Flocculent Recirculation System (DEBFRS): Allowing the Production of Warm Water Shrimp in Cold Climates”.

Summary of Project:

Since the 1980s, most shrimp farms have been land based with the shrimp grown in earthen ponds at a density of 20 to 100 shrimp per meter². This production method has resulted in serious environmental issue including destruction of mangrove forests, eutrophication of the receiving waters and salination of fresh water tables due to leeching of salt water.  However, the greatest challenge for the shrimp aquaculture industry, in the Americas or Asia, has been the devastation caused by disease.  The major epidemics have been caused by a relatively few organisms.  The expression of these diseases is the result of poor environmental conditions and insufficient biosecurity in stocking healthy juvenile shrimp.

Growing shrimp in an indoor recirculation system decreases or eliminates many of the effects and challenges facing pond culture.  This production method results in a greatly reduced carbon footprint and increased biosecurity while enabling the stocking densities to increase dramatically to 500 to 1000 shrimp per meter².  This method of production could only be practiced in tropical or semi-tropical climate where the temperature was over 28^o C.  In order to economically grow shrimp in northern climates year-round, innovations in culture methods clearly need revisiting.  The solution to growing warm water shrimp in northern climates is to develop an economically sustainable production model in a dark environment, bio-flocculent recirculation system (DEBFRS).  An enclosed structure will decrease the energy costs dramatically. This project will enable the first step of realizable commercial production of shrimp on PEI and provide basis for IBFC to market the technology globally.

Advanced Technologies and Clean Energy:

This project represents the culmination of the latest advances in high intensity shrimp aquaculture for northern climates along with the development of proprietary and patentable IP.  Successful completion of this project will provide enabling technology to commercialize the production of fresh disease free shrimp in most northern locations, including a pilot production facility in PEI.

Support of the aquaculture industry on PEI through advances in science is a key mandate bioscience mandate.

The production facility on PEI will provide a platform for the ongoing research of dark bio-floc production of aquaculture species and may contribute to opportunities in other aquaculture models. Aside from the direct employment opportunities which will include internal labour and contracted researchers, this project will provide a showcase for the sale of this technology platform to other commercial partners.  Success of IBF’s global marketing efforts will have a positive economic impact for PEI through direct employment and the sales of manufactured components, research jobs and the licensing revenue.

Since the shrimp production is based on a zero carbon footprint approach, the ‘green model is a fit with all countries’ mandate to protect their environment. Few companies in Canada or globally are attempting to adequately address the negative impact of intense aquaculture on the environment.  IBF will become recognized as leader in this field and correspondingly Prince Edward Island will enhance its image as a Province that fosters green technology.

The Board of Directors of Island Bounty Foods is very pleased to welcome Dr Davidson to its Board, and looks forward to supporting Dr Davidson’s industry leading research and development in the advancement of unique aquaculture environments, clean food sources and renewable energy sustainability.

What’s really in our oceans? TRASH

clipped from www.moremarin.com Project Kaisei team talks trash Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Cousteau was joined by Project Kaisei founders, scientists, environmentalists and ocean lovers who spent a month in the middle of the ocean at a place called the North Pacific Gyre where tons of plastic trash has collected, and is floating in the sea. “We traveled thousands of miles on both vessels and we tested surface samples across that whole distance.  Every single sample we came up with plastic, every single one.” An example of what they found was spread out in front of the audience; ghost fishing nets, chunks of plastic lawn furniture, crates, large containers, a helmet. This is the stuff they found in every sample of water taken. we found a myriad of types of garbage.  In some of the areas that weren’t so congested, maybe we’d see 25 pieces but in other areas we would see three to four hundred pieces of marine debris plastic does not biodegrade

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.

clipped from www.moremarin.com Project Kaisei has launched. The group of scientists, environmentalists and ocean lovers left the SF Bay yesterday on an expedition to study a gigantic floating ‘plastic vortex’ of trash that floats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The group–led by Marinite Mary Crowley–is trying to figure out what type of trash is there, how it got there and ways to remove and recycle it. The gigantic trash heap has been growing for years–the result of our consumption of non-recyclable materials–and contributes to death of marine life and pollution of the oceans. 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. You can follow the action on the Project Kaisei website where they’ve set up a special Google Earth link to track the project’s progress. (photo of boat courtesy of Ocean Voyages Institute; photo of trash courtesy of Whole Travel Blog)

British Columbia Receives CAD 930K for Eco-Aquaculture Projects / July 2009

The Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced that Federal funds are being offered through the Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Programme (AIMAP) to:

• Testing net biofouling management technology
• Capturing and reusing fish effluent
• Introducing new mechanized clam harvest and automated oyster grading technology to BC
• Testing ultraviolet light as a water discharge sterilizer
• Adopting a parasite suppression technology for farmed salmon

Related Seafood articles:

- Investments earmarked for deep water mussels
- DFO invests USD 306 mln in maritime economy

SOURCE: By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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

Legendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle (TED Prize winner!) shares astonishing images of the ocean, and shocking stats about its rapid decline, as she makes her TED Prize wish: that we will join her in protecting the vital blue heart of the planet by any and all means possible.

Sylvia Earle discusses our need for developing deep probing submarines for ocean exploration. She also discusses how excess carbon dioxide is speeding up global warming and how hundreds of millions of tons of plastic and debris ends up in the oceans, undermining our planet’s chemistry.

If “business as usual” continues, our planet is in deep trouble. All is not lost…IF we act now.