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CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island – September 23, 2010: Ross J. Beatty is the recipient of this year’s prestigious Andrew Carnegie Scholarship Award. The recipient must exhibit excellence in academic and/or artistic achievement, and must be a Commonwealth citizen or permanent resident.
The recipient must enhance the university or local community through personal involvement and demonstrate an impressive sense of personal integrity. Ross J. Beatty’s Graduate thesis involves renewable energy systems to assist in energy self-sufficiency of island states such as Prince Edward Island, Canada. Ross J. Beatty is currently the President of Solar Bancorp Inc. (www.solarbancorp.com), a Canadian renewable energy merchant bank which focuses primarily on solar energy innovation and solar energy project advancement.
Dr Palanisamy Nagarajan, UPEI
Aquaculture is “the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants in selected or controlled environments,” according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1997.
With collapsing marine fisheries, mostly due to overfishing without foresight, and increasing impoverishment of the marine ecosystems resulting from short-sighted exponential growth of economic activities, aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing food producing sectors in the world, with more than three-fold increase in production during the past 15 years.
In 2007, aquaculture contributed 43 per cent of the aquatic animal food for human consumption.
In fact, the growth of aquaculture is likely to accelerate in the coming decades, particularly in the context of rapidly developing transgenic technology in aquaculture, the technique of transferring genetic material from one organism into the DNA of another, for transforming fish and other aquatic organisms. Marine ecologist Steve Palumbi, Center For Ocean Solutions at Stanford University, who is one of the co-authors of an exhaustive four-year study in dealing with the impacts of biodiversity loss on ocean ecosystem services, warns that “unless we fundamentally change the way we manage all the ocean species together, as working eco-systems, then this century is the last century of wild [sea] food.”
No one can deny the apparent short-run benefits of the application of modern biotechnology to aquaculture. Nevertheless, the long-term irreversible environmental and ecological risks should not be overlooked. We have already entered the uncharted waters of messing up with the gene and remaking of the world. Jeremy Rifkin, the author of a provocative and influential book The Biotech Century (1998) observes: “The long-term cumulative impact of thousands of introduction of genetically modified organisms could well exceed the damage that has resulted from the release of petrochemical products into the Earth’s ecosystem. With these new biologically based products, the damage is not easily containable, the effects continue to reproduce, and the organisms cannot be recalled, making the process irreversible.”
Research on genetically engineered fish, mostly for aquaculture industry, is currently underway for approximately 35 species worldwide. Until now, no country has approved any of these species for commercial production or human consumption. In fact, ecological risks associated with transgenic fish are very sketchy.
The AquAdvantage Salmon, a genetically engineered Atlantic salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies, a company headquartered in Waltham, Mass., is almost in the final stage of getting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enter the food system after a very long waiting period. A decade ago, science writer Dr. Carol Kaesuk Yoon wrote: “With quaint fishing villages dotting its shores and farming still one of its mainstays, the pastoral landscape of Prince Edward Island seems an unlikely place to encounter one of the most modern creatures on earth. Yet it is in the tanks at Aqua Bounty Farms on the island off New Brunswick, Canada, that hundreds of truly novel fish swim: schools of genetically engineered salmon that await approval for sale in the United States” (New York Times, May 1, 2000).
Comprehending the fact that after waiting for a long time the ‘AquAdvantage Salmon’ is about to enter the food system without undergoing across-the-board environmental and ecological risks assessment is difficult. It is also perplexing that in advance of three days of public hearings on this most critical issue, beginning Sept. 19, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report stating that the transgenic fish are safe to eat and “unlikely” to harm the environment. How did the Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee of the FDA arrive at these premature conclusions on such vital matters that would ultimately affect the fragile marine ecosystems, particularly before hearing from the public at large? What is the purpose of holding public hearings, if they have already made up their mind? What are the roles of other departments/agencies concerned with the environmental and ecological issues in the United States?
Our complex and dynamic society is undergoing rapid technological changes, and our scientific knowledge concerning their long-term environmental, ecological and human health impacts are not keeping pace with them. When making the crucial policy decisions under high degree of uncertainty, we should be guided by the precautionary principle or ‘foresight principle’ in dealing with serious, emerging though not-proven risks to our fragile, complex ecosystems.
The decision to approve the transgenic fish, without paying serious attention to the well-recognized precautionary principle, would open the floodgate for numerous transgenic aquatic organisms to enter our food systems. It is high time we avoid playing dice with our complex ecosystems, particularly when our understanding of the ecosystems is fuzzy and far from perfect.
If AquAdvantage Salmon is approved by the U.S. FDA, one wonders whether Prince Edward Island can be heralded as the birthplace of this transgenic fish, which is supposed to grow to market size in 18 months as compared to 36 months for normal salmon.
Dr. Palanisamy Nagarajan is emeritus professor of economics and research associate of the Institute of Island Studies, Charlottetown.
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 28o 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.
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.
Aquaculture in Ecuador:
Finds Big Market for Farmed Shrimp in Germany
According to the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ecuadorian exports of shrimp to Germany soared to $2.5 million in the first three quarters of 2008, compared to $277,000 in the same period in 2007.
Source: FIS United States. Tuna and shrimp exports to Germany soar. Analia Murias (editorial@fis.com). January 12, 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.
Southeast US Aquaculture Programs and Resources: Contacts by State
Alabama
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University
Auburn University Aquaculture - Working in Uganda - with permission to blog image from the Auburn University Flickr Photostream
Outline of research programs on marine fisheries management and aquaculture, particularly in Alabama’s coastal region.
203 Swingle Hall l | Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama 36849
Phone: (334) 844-4786 | Fax:(334) 844-9208
Photo
Florida
Mote Marine Laboratory Shrimp Research Program, Sarasota
This project has been initiated to develop sustainable shrimp farming techniques in low salinity inland waters.
Shrimp Aquaculture Staff
Program Manager – Ryan Gandy
email: rgandy@mote.org
Mississippi
Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University
A partnership between the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the United States Department of Agriculture and Mississippi State University (MSU) is conducting a large-scale study known as the National Risk Management Feasibility Program for Aquaculture (NRMFPA).
http://www.agecon.msstate.edu/aquaculture/index.php
Project Manager: Corey Miller 662-325-0848
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
The mission of the SCDNR fish hatchery program is to propagate those species of fish in sizes required to accomplish fishery management objectives as recommended by the biological staff and approved by administrative personnel.
The SC DNR has many offices located around the state. The main office info is listed for those interested in any of the programs they have to offer.
http://hatcheries.dnr.sc.gov
Street Address: 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202
Director of SC Environmental Programs: 803-734-3766
Texas
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Shrimp Research Program
| Acronym | TAES | |
| Address | 4301 Waldron Rd. C.C. Corpus Christi TX Texas 78418 United States |
|
| Tel | (361) 937-2268 | |
| Fax | (361) 937-6470 | |
| Activities | Education & research associated with characterization of aquaculture effluent waters and the development of cost effective treatment/prevention methods. Intensive nursery and grow-out system for pena | |
Island Bounty Aquaculture System
Within the Island Bounty Aquaculture System, the fish, shrimp or seafood product are confined in a pond so that their health and feed can be closely …Read More about Aquaculture Technology
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.
Poorly run fish farms can generate coastal pollution in the form of excess feed and manure, and escaped fish and disease originating on farms can devastate wild fisheries. For example, a fish farm with 200,000 salmon releases nutrients and fecal matter roughly equivalent to the raw sewage generated by 20,000 to 60,000 people. Scotland’s salmon aquaculture industry is estimated to produce the same amount of nitrogen waste as the untreated sewage of 3.2 million people—just over half the country’s population.
Cramped facilities can also create ill health for fish, costing producers millions of dollars in disease prevention and foregone revenues. In recent years, shrimp farmers in China have lost $120 million to bacterial fish diseases and $420 million to shrimp diseases.
Fish farming has expanded to meet the soaring global demand for seafood. On average, each person on the planet is eating four times as much seafood as was consumed in 1950. The average per-capita consumption of farmed seafood has increased nearly 1,000 percent since 1970, in contrast to per-capita meat consumption, which grew just 60 percent.
In 2006, fish farmers raised nearly 70 million tons of seafood worth more than $80 billion—nearly double the volume of a decade earlier. Experts predict that farmed seafood will grow an additional 70 percent by 2030.
How can fish farming be made more sustainable? Innovative industry practices are key, but a shift toward sustainable fish farming will also require a fundamental change in public attitudes. This includes a willingness to prioritize fish that are lower on the food chain, such as shellfish and tilapia. But can consumers today be mobilized to shift the aquaculture industry in the same way they pressured tuna fleets to adopt more dolphin-friendly practices in the 1980s?
The need for more sustainable fish farming is critical, according to the report. Farmed seafood provides 42 percent of the world’s seafood supply, and is on target to exceed half in the next decade, yet there are no widely accepted standards for what constitutes “good” fish farming. By comparison, the organic food industry has strong international and national standards, even though it constitutes just 3 to 5 percent of the world’s food supply
Island Bounty Foods Corp. 