Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers, Students, Aquaculturists, Shrimp farmers, Feedmills, Aquaculture product suppliers and manufacturers, and the Public. Changes/Problems: Limited funding with no suitable temperature control for the culture systems along with ageing facility continue to slow-down our ability to develop more economically viable, super-intensive, biofloc-dominated, no exchange systems for production of food shrimp. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The PI was involved with extensive technology transferred activities over the last year to include: 1) On-site and remote training of an inland commercial shrimp production personnel at the Florida Organic Aquaculture, Fellsmere, Florida, 2) Transfer of intensive nursery tank design and management practices to commercial shrimp producers in Texas (Bower Shrimp, Palacios, Texas, 3) Transfer of biofloc production technology to commercial shrimp broodstock supplier (Primo Broodstock, Brookshire, Texas), 4) Delivery of a half a day workshop (Aquaculture America 2014 meeting in Seattle, Washington on February 2014) to interested shrimp producers, researchers, students, and investors on system designs, operation, and economics of super-intensive, no-exchange, biofloc-dominated systems for the production of food-size Pacific white shrimp, 5) Posting the workshop presentations on the Texas Aquaculture Association web site (http://www.texasaquaculture.org/Biofloc/biofloc.html) which resulted in more than 150,000 site-visits between May 2014 and September 2014. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In addition to the above listed activities, a six-moth hands-on training was provided to a private investor interested in developing a super-intensive, biofloc-dominated, no-exchange system for production of marketable shrimp. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue with the preparation of the manual, Continue with the technology transfer to shrimp producers in Texas and Florida, Develop more management tools to reduce production cost of food-shrimp in super-intensive, biofloc-dominated systems, and Test the feasibility of using macroalgae meal to replace fishmeal in shrimp diet.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Redistribution of funds allocated to the PI for research on microalgae resulted in no further activities in this area. No further progress was made with respect to planned research activities with the native shrimp species, the use of halophyte for aquaculture effluent remediation, replacement of fishmeal in shrimp diets, and development of more sustainable production methods for producing food shrimp in outdoor ponds. Funding form NOAA through the National Sea Grant enabled us to make significant progress in production of juveniles and food shrimp in super-intensive raceway systems under no water exchange. For the first time ever, we were able to produce juveniles of the Pacific white shrimp (> 6.4 g in average weight) from young postlarvae (< 1 mg in average weight) in 100 m3 raceways using a3 injectors under no exchange in biofloc-dominated water with high survival (> 94%), extremely low feed conversion ratio (< 0.78), and good yield (> 3.3 kg/m3) using only one 2 HP pump and no oxygen supplementation. Designs and management practices of nursery and grow-out systems were transferred to two commercial producers in Texas. Nursery and grow-out production technology were also transferred to commercial shrimp producer in Florida. Significant progress was made in transferring designs and production management practices of shrimp in biofloc-dominated systems via half a day, free-of-charge workshop during the Aquaculture America 2014 meeting in Seattle, Washington on February of 2014. The presentations, which included description, management practices, and economic aspects related to operation these systems, were placed at the Texas Aquaculture Association web site with free access to interested parties. Records received from the site show overwhelming interest with over 150,000 site-visits through September 2014. We also made major progress in preparing a manual which is intended to guide shrimp producers using the biofloc-technology. We hope to have the first draft of this manual ready before the end of August 2015.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Castro, F.L., and Prangnell, D. 2014. Design and operation of nursery and grow-out biofloc systems at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab at Flour Bluff in Corpus Christi, Texas. Abstract and oral presentations in a workshop organized by the Texas AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab at the Aquaculture America 2014, February 9-12, 2014, Seattle, Washington. p. 470.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hanson, T. Castro, L., Zeigler, T.R., Markey, T., and Samocha, T.M. 2014. Economic analysis of a commercial and experimental feed used in biofloc-dominated, super-intensive, Litopenaeus vannamei grow-out raceway system - the 2013 trial. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2014, February 9-12, 2014, Seattle, Washington. p. 191.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Castro, F.L., Xu, W., Hanson, T., Markey, T., and Samocha, T.M. 2014. Comparison of two commercial feeds for the production of marketable Litopenaeus vannamei in super-intensive biofloc-dominated zero exchange raceways. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2014, February 9-12, 2014, Seattle, Washington. p. 469.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Castro, F.L., Xu, W., Hanson, T., Markey, T., and Samocha, T.M. 2014. Comparison of two commercial feeds for the production of marketable Litopenaeus vannamei in super-intensive biofloc-dominated zero exchange raceways. Abstract and oral presentation at the 44th Annual Conference & Trade Show of the Texas Aquaculture Association. January 28-31, 2014 Fredericksburg, Texas.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Leandro F. Castro, David I. Prangnell, Thomas R. Zeigler, Craig L. Browdy, Tim A. Markey, Darrin Honious, and Tzachi M. Samocha. 2015. NURSERY PERFORMANCE OF THE PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP, Litopenaeus vannamei, FED TWO DIETARY REGIMES IN A ZERO-EXCHANGE, BIOFLOC SYSTEM. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 - 22, 2015.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tzachi M. Samocha, Leandro F. Castro, David I. Prangnell, Thomas R. Zeigler, Craig L. Browdy, Tim A. Markey, Darrin Honious, and Bob Advent. 2015. NURSERY PRODUCTION OF THE PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP, Litopenaeus vannamei, IN A ZERO-EXCHANGE BIOFLOC-DOMINATED SYSTEM OPERATED WITH a3 INJECTORS.An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 - 22, 2015.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: David I. Prangnell, Leandro F. Castro, Thomas R. Zeigler, Craig L. Browdy, Tim A. Markey, Darrin Honious, and Tzachi M. Samocha. 2015. INTENSIVE PRODUCTION OF THE PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP, Litopenaeus vannamei, FED TWO COMMERCIAL FEEDS OF DIFFERING PROTEIN CONTENT IN A NO WATER EXCHANGE, BIOFLOC-DOMINATED SYSTEM. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 - 22, 2015.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tzachi M. Samocha, Leandro F. Castro, David I. Prangnell, Thomas R. Zeigler, Craig L. Browdy, Tim A. Markey, Darrin Honious, and Bob Advent. 2015. HIGH DENSITY PRODUCTION OF THE PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP, Litopenaeus vannamei, IN ZERO-EXCHANGE, BIOFLOC-DOMINATED GROW-OUT SYSTEM: THE CHALLENGE OF Vibrio. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 - 22, 2015.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: David Prangnell, Leandro Castro, Susan Laramore, Jeffrey Turner, Thomas Zeigler, Craig Browdy, Darrin Honious, Bob Advent, and Tzachi Samocha. Vibrio DYNAMICS IN ZERO-EXCHANGE, BIOFLOC-DOMINATED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR THE PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP, Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana. February 19 - 22, 2015.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Correia, E.S., Wilkenfeld, J.S., Morris, T.C., Wei, L., Prangnell, D.I and Samocha, T.M. (2014). Intensive nursery production of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei using two commercial feeds with high and low protein content in a biofloc-dominated system. Aquacultural Engineering 59:48-54.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kim, S.K., Pang, P., Seo, H.C., Yeong-Rok Cho, Y.R., Samocha, T. and Jang, I.K. (2014). Effect of bioflocs on growth and immune activity of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. Aquaculture Research 45:362-371.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Krummenauer, D., Samocha, T., Poersch, L., Lara, G. and Wasielesky Jr., W. (2014). The Reuse of Water on the Culture of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in BFT System. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 45(1):3-14.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Shpigel, M., Ben-Ezra, B., Shauli, L., Sagi, M., Ventura, Y., Samocha, T. and Lee, J.J. (2013). Constructed wetland with Salicornia as a biofilter for mariculture effluents. Aquaculture 412413:52-63.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wedegaertner, T., Rathore, K., Samocha, T., Dowd, M. and Hake, K. (2013). Elimination of the toxin in cottonseed has the potential to satisfy the protein needs of several hundred million people and replace fish meal in aquaculture feeds. First International Conference on Global Food Security. Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands September 29 - October 2, 2013.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Hanson, T., Morris, T., Magalh�es, V., Advent, B. and Braga, A. (2014). Using super-intensive biofloc systems for Pacific white shrimp production. International Aqua Feed 17(1):44-48.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T., Samocha, T., Morris, T., Advent, B., Magalh�es and V., Braga, A. (2013). Economic Analyses Project Rising Returns For Intensive Biofloc Shrimp Systems. Global Aquaculture Advocate July/August 2013:24-26.

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers, Students, Aquaculturists, Shrimp farmers in Texas and in the US, Feedmills, Aquaculture product suppliers and manufacturers, Biofeul and by-product researchers, Investors, and the Public. Changes/Problems: Limited resources (fund and manpower) and deteriorating/aging infrastructure may negatively affect our ability to accomplish all goals stated in the five year plan. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? (1) To investigate nutritional requirements for: (a) Production of native PL (Litopenaeus setiferus), and one exotic species (L. vannamei) in captivity; (b) Rearing PL of native species to bait-size in tanks, raceways, and ponds; c) Rearing PL and juveniles of exotic and native species to food-size in ponds and greenhouse-enclosed raceways with no water exchange; Extensive studies were conducted with funding from private entities to evaluate fishmeal and fish oil replacement in experimental and practical shrimp diets using soybean meal and cottonseed meals. Because of limited funding all of the work was done with the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. (2) To further develop technology for intensive outdoor pond systems with limited discharge; No research activities was one on intensive outdoor pond systems over the reported period as experimental ponds were allocated to other research priorities. (3) To develop technology for indoor super-intensive closed recirculating raceway systems; Work with intensive nursery and grow-out of the Pacific white shrimp in biofloc-dominated no water exchange conditions showed continued improvement in survival, growth, yield and feed utilization efficiencies. (4) To continue the development of nursery raceway technology for rearing of PL to juvenile stages in order to increase farms’ profitability; Work in intensive nursery systems of the Pacific white shrimp in biofloc-dominated no water exchange conditions showed constant improvement in survival, growth, yield and feed utilization efficiencies. (5) To develop technology for production and overwintering of broodstock; No work was done in this area because of limited funding. Breeding population F6 generation of the Atlantic white shrimp were produced at the lab and were transferred to commercial producer (KAVA Farms, Los Fresnos, TX) to produce the F7 generation. (6) To develop cost-effective preventive and treatment methods to reduce potential negative impact from shrimp farms’ effluent water on receiving waters. This will include: (a) Characterization of effluent water from coastal shrimp farms; (b) Evaluation of the beneficial effect of implementing preventive methods to improve effluent water quality, such as: (i) Increasing pond aeration rates; (ii) Reducing and/or eliminating water exchange; (iii) Using formulated feeds with low/high protein and low phosphate levels; (iv) Using fish meal replacement in shrimp diet formulation; and (v) Using feed management that improves FCR’s; (c) Evaluation of the beneficial effect of implementing treatment methods to improve effluent water quality including the potential use of: (i) Settling basins; (ii) Bivalves; (iii) Seaweeds; (iv) Bacterial-supplements and/or enzymes (v) Halophytes. Limited funding prevented execution of research on topic (a) and (b). Because of limited funding, work on the beneficial effect of implementing treatment methods to improve effluent water quality was restricted to use of the halophyte Salicornia. (7) To develop cost-effective biosecure preventive and treatment management strategies to reduce the risk of spreading viral diseases and crop losses due to disease outbreaks. Such strategies include the use of: (a) Adequate animal husbandry protocols; (b) Disinfection of culture water; (c) Elimination/reduction of water exchange; (d) Medicated feeds; and (e) Genetically improved specific-pathogen-free (SPF) broodstock. All activities in these areas focused on the use of SPF Pacific white shrimp. Efforts were made to characterize factors facilitating the bacterial outbreak in biofloc dominated systems. (8) To evaluate the feasibility of using the halophyte Salicornia for remediation of nutrient rich shrimp effluent water and for the production of biodiesel and other high value byproducts. Limited funding prevented us from doing any research in this area during the reported period. (9) To produce microalgae in outdoor raceways using flue gas CO2 from the adjacent Barney Davis Power Plant. No work was done on this topic as flue gas was not made available to us. (10) Transfer of new technologies to shrimp producers in Texas. Intensive nursery system design and operation was transferred to commercial shrimp producer in Texas (Bower Shrimp and Fish Farm, Palacios, TX. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Breeding population F6 generation of the Atlantic white shrimp were produced at the lab and were transferred to commercial producer (KAVA Farms, Los Fresnos, TX) to produce the F7 generation. Intensive nursery system design and operation was transferred to commercial shrimp producer in Texas (Bower Shrimp and Fish Farm, Palacios, TX. Biofloc production technology was transferred to Florida Organic Aquaculture (FOA), Fellsmere, FL. A manager and two employees from FOA came to be trained at the AgriLIfe Research facility in Flour Bluff. Several trips were made to the FOA to transfer shrimp production technology to the company. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Limited funding dictates focusing our research activities on super intensive biofloc dominated systems for the Pacific white shrimp. This will include preparation of biofloc manual, organizing workshop and training session and transfer of technology to end-user. In addition work will be done on the evaluation of seaweed as feed ingredient in shrimp diets.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Listed below are the goals of the project. (1) To investigate nutritional requirements for: (a) Production of native PL (Litopenaeus setiferus), and one exotic species (L. vannamei) in captivity; (b) Rearing PL of native species to bait-size in tanks, raceways, and ponds; c) Rearing PL and juveniles of exotic and native species to food-size in ponds and greenhouse-enclosed raceways with no water exchange; (2) To further develop technology for intensive outdoor pond systems with limited discharge; (3) To develop technology for indoor super-intensive closed recirculating raceway systems; (4) To continue the development of nursery raceway technology for rearing of PL to juvenile stages in order to increase farms’ profitability; (5) To develop technology for production and overwintering of broodstock; (6) To develop cost-effective preventive and treatment methods to reduce potential negative impact from shrimp farms’ effluent water on receiving waters. This will include: (a) Characterization of effluent water from coastal shrimp farms; (b) Evaluation of the beneficial effect of implementing preventive methods to improve effluent water quality, such as: (i) Increasing pond aeration rates; (ii) Reducing and/or eliminating water exchange; (iii) Using formulated feeds with low/high protein and low phosphate levels; (iv) Using fish meal replacement in shrimp diet formulation; and (v) Using feed management that improves FCR’s; (c) Evaluation of the beneficial effect of implementing treatment methods to improve effluent water quality including the potential use of: (i) Settling basins; (ii) Bivalves; (iii) Seaweeds; (iv) Bacterial-supplements and/or enzymes (v) Halophytes. (7) To develop cost-effective biosecure preventive and treatment management strategies to reduce the risk of spreading viral diseases and crop losses due to disease outbreaks. Such strategies include the use of: (a) Adequate animal husbandry protocols; (b) Disinfection of culture water; (c) Elimination/reduction of water exchange; (d) Medicated feeds; and (e) Genetically improved specific-pathogen-free (SPF) broodstock. (8) To evaluate the feasibility of using the halophyte Salicornia for remediation of nutrient rich shrimp effluent water and for the production of biodiesel and other high value byproducts. Limited funding prevented us from doing any research in this area during the reported pertiod. (9) To produce microalgae in outdoor raceways using flue gas CO2 from the adjacent Barney Davis Power Plant. (10) Transfer of new technologies to shrimp producers in Texas.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Braga, A., Morris, T.C., Magalh�es, V., Markey, T., Advent, B., and Hanson, T. 2013. Intensive production and preliminary economic analyses from growing Litopenaeus vannamei in limited discharge biofloc-dominated greenhouse-enclosed raceways. An abstract of oral presentation at FENACAM13, �X International Shrimp Farming Symposium. Natal, Brazil, June 11-13, 2013. P. 22.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M. 2013. A workshop on Intensive shrimp production using biofloc technology. Natal, Brazil June 8-10, 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Sullivan, E., Brown, L., Brown, J., Samocha, T., and Ogden, K. 2013. Media optimization in algal cultivation systems. An abstract of a poster presented at the BP 3 NAABB Upstream/Downstream Meeting, January 21-24, 2013, Tempe, AZ.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M. 2013. Use of shrimp nursery systems. Aquaculture Innovation Workshop, February 17-18, 2013, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M. 2013. Shrimp production in greenhouse-enclosed super-intensive biofloc systems at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab. Aquaculture Innovation Workshop, February 17-18, 2013, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M. 2013. Super-intensive shrimp production in zero exchange systems-progress and economic aspects. An oral presentation at the 43rd Annual & Conference & Trade Show of the Texas Aquaculture Association. January 23-25, 2013 Bay City, Texas.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhu, X., Davis, D.A.,, Roy, L.A., Samocha, T.M., and Lazo, J.P. (2013). Response of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, to three sources of solvent extracted soybean meal. Journal of World Aquaculture Society, 44(3): 396-404.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Shpigel, M., Ben-Ezra, B., Shauli, L., Sagi, M., Ventura, Y., Samocha, T., and Lee, J.J. (2013). Constructed wetland with Salicornia as a biofilter for mariculture effluents. Aquaculture, 412-413: 52-63.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Krummenauer, D., Samocha, T., Poersch, L., Lara, G., and Wasielesky Jr., W. (2013). Effect of water reuse on the culture of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei without water exchange. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 44(4): xxx-xxx.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kim, S.K., Jang, I.K., Pang, Z., Samocha, T.M., and Seo, H.C. (2013). Effect of bioflocs on growth and immune activity of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. Aquaculture Research, Y: xx-xx.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zmora, O., Grosse, D.J., Zou, N., and Samocha, T.M. (2013). Microalga for Aquaculture: Practical Implications. Chapter 34 In A. Richmond, and Q. Hu (eds.), Handbook of Microalgal Culture: Applied Phycology and Biotechnology, Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Oxford, UK. p. 628-652.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T., Samocha, T., Morris, T., Advent, B., Magalh�es, V., Braga, A. 2013. Economic Analyses Project Rising Returns For Intensive Biofloc Shrimp Systems. Global Aquaculture Advocate July/August 2013: 24-26.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Braga, A., Magalh�es, V., Advent, B. and Morris, T.C. 2013. Ongoing Studies Advance Intensive Shrimp Culture In Zero-Exchange Biofloc Raceways. Global Aquaculture Advocate April/March 2013: 38-40.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Braga, A., Magalh�es, V., Advent, B. and Morris, T.C. 2013. Production of Pacific white shrimp, in super-intensive, biofloc-dominated, zero-exchange raceway systems. The Practical 4(12):10-17, Asian Aquaculture Network, Thailand.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wedegaertner, T., Rathore, K., Samocha, T., Dowd, M. and Hake, K. 2013. Elimination of the toxin in cottonseed has the potential to satisfy the protein needs of several hundred million people and replace fish meal in aquaculture feeds. First International Conference on Global Food Security. Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands 29 September - 2 October 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Braga, A., Morris, T.C., Magalh�es, V., Markey, T., Advent, B., and Hanson, T. 2013. Intensive production and preliminary economic analyses from growing Litopenaeus vannamei in limited discharge biofloc-dominated greenhouse-enclosed raceways. An abstract of oral presentation at FENACAM13, �X International Shrimp Farming Symposium. Natal, Brazil, June 11-13, 2013. (P22).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hanson, T., Braga, A., Magalh�es, V., Morris, T.C., Advent, B., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Economic analysis of two commercial feeds in biofloc-dominated, super-intensive, zero-exchange shrimp production systems for the Pacific White Shrimp, based on results from the 2012 grow-out season. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 449).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Richardson, C.M., Siccardi III, A.J., Dowd, M.K., Wedegaertner, T.C., Rathore, K., Palle, S.R., Lund, R., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Evaluation of transgenic and regular glandless cottonseed meal as a dietary protein and lipid source for Litopenaeus vannamei reared under zero-exchange conditions. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 918).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Siccardi III, A.J., Zimba, P.V., Fuqua, Z.B., Durocher, M.D., Bennett, J.G., Savage, M.L., Richardson, C.M., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Effect of seasonal variation on biomass and lipid production of mono and mixed cultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum in outdoor raceways using natural seawater in Corpus Christi, Texas. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 1024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Xu, W., Morris, T.C., Stafford, D.H., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. The effect of two commercial feeds and different C:N:n ratios on selected water quality indicators and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles cultured at high density in a biofloc-dominated zero-exchange outdoor tank system. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 961).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Braga, A., Correia, E.S., Mishra, J.K., Burger, J., and Handy, M. 2013. Use of an intensive indoor biofloc-dominated nursery system at the Texas AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab: 2003-2012. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 960).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Braga, A., Magalhaes, V., Morris, T.C., Advent, B., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Use of a non-venturi air injection system for production of Litopenaeus vannamei in biofloc-dominated zero-exchange raceways. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 746).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Braga, A., Magalh�es, V., Schveitzer, R., Krummenauer, D., Correia, E.S., Kim, J.S., Austin, J.J., Mishra, J.K., Burger, J., Advent, B., and Hanson, T. 2013. Shrimp production in greenhouse-enclosed super-intensive biofloc systems at the Texas AgriLife research mariculture lab: 2003-2012. An abstract of oral presentation presented at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 963).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Magalh�es, V., Braga, A., Morris, T.C., Markey, T., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Comparison of two commercial diets for the production of marketable Litopenaeus vannamei in super-intensive biofloc-dominated zero-exchange raceways. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 964).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Braga, A., Morris, T.C., Gervais Jr., N.F., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Artificial Artemia as a feed supplement for nursery phase Litopenaeus vannamei culture in biofloc-dominated zero-exchange raceways. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 962).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Klim, B., Clapp, L., Jones, K., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Optimization model for the management of a horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetland using the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii in the treatment of shrimp mariculture effluent. An abstract of oral presentation at the Aquaculture 2013, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville Tennessee (p 570).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rajamani, S., Falc�o, V., Samocha, T., Wilkenfeld, J., and Sayre, R. 2013. Transgenic approaches for algal crop protection from biocontaminants and genetically modified algae biocontainment. An abstract of a poster presented at the BP 3 NAABB Upstream/Downstream Meeting, January 21-24, 2013, Tempe, AZ.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Siccardi III, A.J., Zimba, P.V., Fuqua, Z.B., Rhodes, W.K., Durocher, M.D., Bennett, J.G., Richardson, C.M., Savage, M.L., Stafford, D.H., and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Comparison of biomass and lipid production of mono and mixed cultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum in outdoor raceways using natural seawater (Corpus Christi, Texas). An abstract of oral presentation at the BP 3 NAABB Upstream/Downstream Meeting, January 21-24, 2013, Tempe, AZ.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Siccardi III, A.J., Zimba, P.V., Fuqua, Z.B., Bennett, J.G., Richardson, and Samocha, T.M. 2013. Comparison of biomass and lipid production of mono and mixed cultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum in outdoor raceways using natural seawater (Corpus Christi, Texas). An abstract of a poster presented at the BP 3 NAABB Upstream/Downstream Meeting, January 21-24, 2013, Tempe, AZ.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Samocha, T.M. 2013. A workshop on Intensive shrimp nursery using biofloc technology. Guayaquil, Ecuador June 22-23, 2013.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: TDA/BARD funds enabled measurement & development of interactive model predicting N&P removal by Salicornia using a constructed wetland. $350K/2y from TX A&M Bioenergy Exceptional Funds & $330K/3y from DOE/NAABB helped in isolation & growing microalgae from local waters & those isolated from other sources (Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, Amphora) in 12, 3 m2 outdoor RWs. Factors studied include CO2 & nutrient supply. Significant improvement in afdw and reduction in contaminants were obtained when initial algal stocking density was increased from 5 (0.10 g/L dw) to 20.6 g/m2 (0.41 g/L dw). Trials also evaluated effect of different nutrient enrichment, potential reuse of water and use of mix species on algae growth under controlled pH conditions. Financial help from USMSFP & TX A&M AgriLife help to produce F6 viral-pathogen-free populations of Litopenaeus setiferus population. 11 proposals/pre-proposals were submitted to support research. We received >$700,000 in funding for the next 3 y. Other proposals are still in review. Dietary trials continued with Cotton Incorporated funds with L. vannamei. Results showed that transgenic ultra-low gossypol cottonseed (ULGCS) & glandless cottonseed meal (GCSM) can be incorporated into shrimp diets in experimental & commercial formulations as a fish meal replacement. Other studies also evaluated the potential use of macroalgal meal in shrimp diet formulations. Results showed that 5% of the FM can be replaced in a 30% FM diet using Ulva sp. macroalgae. Grow-out trials were done with L. vannamei in 2 super-intensive systems with funding from USDA-MSFP & TX A&M AgriLife Research to develop sustainable & biosecure practices for production of shrimp in greenhouses with no water exchange. The study in 5 40 m3 RWs using hybrid of fast-growth & Taura resistant lines showed that under 500/m3, while feeding the shrimp 2 diets (HI-35 & SI-35 with delivered prices of $0.795 & $0.452/lb, respectively) in 67 d, shrimp size was 22.1 & 19.7 g with 2.03 & 1.76 g/wk, survival of 87.3 & 88.3%, FCR of 1.25 & 1.43, yield of 9.74 & 8.71 kg/m3 for the HI-35 & SI-35 diets, respectively. A 2nd study in 2 100 m3 RWs with shrimp from the same source at 500/m3 showed that after 63 d, the mean size was 22.73 g with growth of 2.12 g/wk, survival of 79.5%, FCR of 1.48 & yield of 9.03 kg/m3. The study showed that use of 2 2 hp pumps/RW was adequate to maintain DO >4 mg/L. Further studies are planned to improve growth, FCR & reduce energy needs to make the system more competitive. The encouraging results facilitate potential investment by private entities to commercialize the technology. Two M.Sc. students graduated this year. One Ph.D. & 1 M.Sc. student from Brazil trained at the facility for 6 & 3 months, respectively. A total of 4 peer-reviewed, 2 popular magazines articles, & 18 abstracts were published. Information generated from the shrimp studies was communicated to producers in TX, US & other countries. Intensive nursery technology transfer to 1 producer in TX is underway. PARTICIPANTS: Participants Dr. Tzachi Samocha-Project Leader-Texas A&M AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab (TAMARM) Dr. Anthony Siccardi-Assistant Research Scientist* Mr. Tim Morris-Technician* Mrs. Cristina Richardson-Technician* Mr. David Stafford-Technician* Ms. Jamie Gillis-Technician* Mr. William Rhodes-Technician* Mr. Aaron Otero-Technician* Mr. Jesse Sifontes-Technician* Mr. Lee Schweikert-Technician* Ms. Marci Durocher-Technician* Mrs. Skylar Woodring-Technician* Mr. Brandon Klim-Graduate student* Mr. Michael Birchfield-Undergraduate student* Mr. Nathan Huysman-Undergraduate student* Mr. Jonathan Bennett-Undergraduate student* Ms. Rebecca Lund-Undergraduate student* Mr. Zac Furka-Undergraduate student* Mr. Andre Braga-Ph.D. student-Brazil Ms. Vita Magalhaes-Ms. Student-Brazil Mr. Wujie Xu-Ph.D. Student-China * TAMARM Dr. Zimba: TAMU-CC Drs. Udameri & Jones: TAMU-Kingsville Drs. Cattolico: University of Washington Dr. Sagi: Ben Gurion University, Deer Sheva, Israel Dr. Shpigel, National Center for Mariculture, Eilat, Israel. Dr. Yarish: The University of Connecticut Dr. Jang-NFRDI, Korea Partner Organizations Zeigler Brothers Cotton Incorporated a3 All Aeration YSI Inc. Florida Organic Aquaculture TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences 1.US Researchers: Dr. Leffler-SCDNR; Dr. Lotz and Mr. Andrew-GCRL; Dr. Moss-OI Institute; 2.Researchers, producers and students from Texas, USA and different part of the world which attending national and international meetings and workshops. 3.Shrimp producers in Texas: AKVA Farm, Harlingen, TX; Bowers Shrimp & Fish Farms-Palacios, TX; Natural Shrimp-La Coste, TX; 4.Shrimp farmers in USA: Marvesta Shrimp Farms-Hurlock, MD; Florida Organic Aquaculture; 5.US investor groups: Different groups interested in the technology developed by the lab. Efforts: 1.Presentation at the Shrimp Short Course, 2.Presentations in national meeting: Texas Aquaculture Association 3.Presentation in international meetings: World Aquaculture Society; International Water Association; 4.Invited speaker in national and international workshops; 5.Training Ph.D., graduate and undergraduate students; 6.Training of managers for shrimp production operations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
To help the shrimp farming industry in the US, research efforts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab at Flour Bluff Corpus Christi, focused on the development of sustainable technologies for production viral-pathogen-free (VPF) live bait shrimp of the Atlantic White Shrimp. VPF F6 adults are currently being held at the facility waiting additional funding to continue the research. Other research efforts focused on the development of production technologies of marketable size shrimp in super-intensive no water exchange systems. Results from a 63 d grow-out study, using shrimp from a fast-growth line in two 100 m3 RWs at stocking density of 500 shrimp/m3, suggest that special injection nozzles can be used for mixing and aeration sustaining good survival (79.5%) with yield of 9.03 kg/m3 of 22.37 g shrimp and FCR of 1.48 using two 2 hp pumps with no need for airlift pumps, air diffusers and pure oxygen supplementation. Another study with the same line in six 40 m3 RWs at 500 shrimp/m3 using two diets (HI-35 and SI-35 with a price of $0.795 and $0.452/lb, respectively) showed that after 67 d, shrimp mean size was 22.1 & 19.7 g with 2.03 and 1.76 g/wk, survival of 87.3 and 88.3%, FCR of 1.25 and 1.43, yield of 9.74 and 8.71 kg/m3 for the HI-35 and SI-35 diets, respectively. Economic analyses using these results will be used to identify areas to improve economic viability. Another three research areas were: 1) The optimization of shrimp feeds to develop fish meal and fish oil free diets - Previous results already showed good success in replacement of these two components. This year research showed once again that glandless cotton seed meal and oil can be used to replace fish meal and oil in shrimp diets, 2) The use of microalgae for production of biofuel and bio-products. Preliminary results in 12 outdoor 3 m2 RWs help in better understanding of the algae requirements for CO2, nutrients and water reuse, 3) The use of the halophyte Salicornia for effluent water purification, potential source for plant protein, and biofuel production.

Publications

• Morris, T.C., Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A., and Fox. J.M. 2011. Cholesterol supplements for Litopenaeus vannamei reared on plant based diets in the presence of natural productivity. Aquaculture 314:140-144.
• Ventura, Y., Wuddineha, W.A., Myrzabayeva, M., Alikulov, Z., Khozin-Goldberg, I., Shpigel, M., Samocha, T.M., and Sagi, M. 2011. Effect of seawater concentration on the productivity and nutritional value of annual Salicornia and perennial Sarcocornia halophytes as leafy vegetable crops. Scientia Horticulturae 128:189-196.
• Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Hanson, T., Wilkenfeld, J.S., and Morris, TC. 2012. Texas research advances water treatment methods for intensive biofloc raceways. Global Aquaculture Advocate September/October 15)5(:89-91.
• Siccardi III, A.J., Zimba, P.V., Fuqua, Z.B., Durocher, M.D., Woodring, S.C., Bennett, J.G., Savage, M.L., Richardson, C.M., Gillis, J.L., and Samocha, T.M. 2012. Comparison of biomass and lipid production of mono and mixed cultures of Nannochloropsis salina and Phaeodactylum tricornutum in outdoor raceways using natural seawater in Corpus Christi, Texas. An abstract of an oral presentation at the 6th Annual Algae Summit, September 24-27, 2012, Denver, Colorado.
• Rajamani, S., Falcao, V., Samocha, T., Wilkenfeld, J., and Sayre, R. 2012. Transgenic Approaches for Algal Crop Protection from Biocontaminants. An abstract of a poster presented at the 6th Annual Algae Summit, September 24-27, 2012, Denver, Colorado.
• Samocha, T.M., Schveitzer, R., Krummenauer, D., Hanson, T., Morris, T.C., Braga, A.L., and Magalhaes, V. 2012. Use of biofloc-dominated indoor super-intensive shrimp production systems. Pioneering global water solutions. Synergising water and food through aquaculture. World Water Congress & Exhibition, 16-21 September 2012, Busan, Korea.
• Samocha, T.M., Schveitzer, R., Krummenauer, D., Morris, T.C., and Hanson, T. 2012. Progress and economic aspects of super-intensive greenhouse-enclosed raceway systems for production of food shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under no water exchange. An abstract of an oral presentation at Ninth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture, Roanoke VA, USA August 24-26, 2012. pp. 108-110.
• Krummenauer, D., Samocha, T.M., Poersch, L.H., de Lara, G.,R., and Wasielesky Jr., W. 2012. Short-term effect of biofloc-rich water on the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under no water exchange. An abstract of an oral presentation at Ninth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture, Roanoke VA, USA August 24-26, 2012. pp. 116-118.
• Samocha, T.M., Schveitzer, R., Krummenauer, D., Morris, T.C., Woodring, S., and Hanson, T. 2012. Performance of fast-growth Litopenaeus vannamei in super-intensive zero exchange raceways. Oral presentation, US Marine Shrimp Farming Program ISG Meeting, Aquaculture America 2012, February 28, 2012, Las Vegas, NV.
• Schveitzer, R., Krummenauer, D. Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., and Woodring, S. 2012. Performance of Litopenaeus vannamei in super-intensive limited-discharge raceways with foam fractionation and dissolved oxygen monitoring systems as management tools. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2012, February 28-March 2, 2012, Las Vegas, NV. p. 424.
• Krummenauer, D., Schveitzer, R., Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Advent, B., Figgs, R., and Woodring, S. 2012. Performance of the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in biofloc-dominated zero-exchange raceways using a non-venturi air injection system for aeration, mixing, and foam fractionation. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2012, February 28-March 2, 2012, Las Vegas, NV. p. 326.
• Hanson, T., Samocha, T.M., Krummenauer, D., Schveitzer, R., and Morris, T.C. 2012. Economic analysis of two zero exchange biofloc dominated super-intensive shrimp production systems for the Pacific White Shrimp. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2012, February 28-March 2, 2012, Las Vegas, NV. p. 221.
• Richardson, C.M., Samocha, T.M., Siccardi III, A.J., Dowd, M.K., Wedegaertner, T.C., Klim, B.C., and Figgs, R. 2012. Substitution of fish meal with glandless cottonseed meals in research diets fed to the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei maintained in zero water-exchange tanks. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2012, February 28-March 2, 2012, Las Vegas, NV. p. 396.
• Klim, B.C., Samocha, T.M., Uddameri, V., and Jones, K. 2012. Performance of a sub-surface flow constructed wetland planted with the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii in the treatment of shrimp mariculture effluent. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2012, February 28-March 2, 2012, Las Vegas, NV. p. 267.
• Haslun, J., Correia, E., Strychar, K., Morris, T., and Samocha, T. 2012. Characterization of bioflocs in a no water exchange super-intensive system for the production of food size Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. International Journal of Aquaculture 2(6):29-39.
• Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A., Roy, L.A., Carpenter, B., and Bullis. R.A. 2011. The effect of non-marine HUFA supplementation with fish oil removal on growth and survival of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture Nutrition 17(5):518-525.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: TDA/BARD fund enabled measuring N&P removal by the halophyte Salicornia using a constructed wetland. $350K/2y from TX A&M Bioenergy Exceptional Funds & $330K/3y from DOE/NAABB helped in isolation & growing microalgae in 12, 3 m2 outdoor RWs. Factors studied included CO2 & nutrient supply & water reuse. Work continued with funding from USMSFP and AgriLife on development of F6 generation viral-pathogen-free populations of Atlantic White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus. F6 generation PL were produced & sent to research & private producers. 4 proposals were submitted to continue this research. Dietary trials continues with Cotton Incorporated fund with L. vannamei. Results showed that glandless cottonseed meal (GCSM) can be incorporated into shrimp diets in experimental and commercial formulations with significant cost savings to farmers (33% of the fishmeal & all marine lipid can be replaced with cottonseed meal & oil without negative impact on growth & survival). Similarly, 67% and 50% of the fishmeal could be replaced with GCSM in experimental and commercial diet, respectively. Grow-out trials were done with this species in two super-intensive systems with funding from USDA-MSFP & the National Academies of Sciences to develop sustainable & biosecure practices for production of food shrimp in greenhouse with no water exchange. The study in five 40 m3 RWs using fast-growth line showed that under density of 500 shrimp/m3, after 83 d, shrimp mean size was 23.6 g with 1.85 g/wk, survival of 81.6%, FCR of 1.43 and yield of 9.58 kg/m3. The other study was done in two 100 m3 RWs using shrimp from a Taura resistant line stocked at 390/m3. After 106 d, shrimp mean size was 25.3 g with 1.46 g/wk, survival of 83%, FCR of 1.77 and yield of 8.36 kg/m3. Of significant for this system was the fact that use of two 2 hp pumps per tank was adequate for maintaining DO above 4 mg/L. Further studies are planned to improve growth, FCR and reduce energy needs. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in research done at the facility: Anthony Siccardi, Cristina Richardson, Josh Wilkenfeld,Tim Morris, Nathan Huysman, Jonathan Bennett, Kelsey Holmes,Nina Cornelius,Katleen Jones,Zac Fuqua, Brandon Klim,Rachel Figgs,Michael Birchfield. Participants from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: Paul Zimba, Joe Fox Participants from Texas A&M University-Kingsville: Kim Jones, Venki Uddameri Participants from Texas A&M University-Galveston: Antonietta Quigg Ben Gurion University-Beer Sheva, Israel: Moshe Sagi, Ivonne Ventura National Center for Mariculture, Eilat, Israel: Muki Shpigel Center of Marine Biotechnology, Baltimore, MD: Odi Zmora Waddell Mariculture Center, Bluffton SC: John Leffler, Jeff Brunson Golf Coast Research Lab, MS: Jeff Lotz, Andrew Ray Oceanic Institute: Clete Otoshi, Dustin Moss, Shaun Moss Cotton Incorporated: Tom Wedegaertner Rangen Inc.: David Brock Zeigler Bros: Tom Zeigler, Tim Markey, Cheryl Shew YSI Inc.: Tim Grooms, Darrin Honious Aeration Industries: Brian Cohen, Michael Ramirez, Marcos Kroupa AIA Taeration: Bob Advant Mirzam Holdings: Clifford Morris USAID Texas Sea Grant: Granvil Treece USDA/USMSFP AgriLife Research: Lou Brown, Carlos Fernandez, Luis Ribera, Larry Falconer, Jamie Foster Texas A&M University College Station: Ron Lacey, Zivko Nikolov, James Richardson NAABB: Jim Bonner, Chris Fuller, Chris Yeager, Cynthia Dean, Jerri Sullivan, Juergen Polle, Meghan Starbuck, Richard Sayre, Tanner Schaub, Taraka Dale, Vanessa Falcao, TARGET AUDIENCES: Texas shrimp farmers, shrimp farmers and scientists in the US and other part of the world. Commercial feed mills, manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and monitoring systems PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
To help the shrimp farming industry in the US, research efforts at the AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab in Corpus Christi were designed to develop sustainable technologies for production viral-pathogen-free (VPF) live bait shrimp of the Atlantic White Shrimp. VPF F6 generation of this species are currently being raised to produce F7 generation PL. Other research efforts focused on the development of production of marketable size shrimp in super-intensive no discharge systems. Results from a 106d grow-out study with slow growth line in two 100 m3 RWs at stocking density of 390 shrimp/m3 suggest that special nozzles can be used for mixing and aeration sustaining good survival (83%) with yield of 8.36 kg/m3 of 25.3 g shrimp and FCR of 1.77 using two 2 hp pumps with no need for airlift pumps, air diffuser and pure oxygen supplementation. Nevertheless, additional work is needed to reduce FCR. Another study with fast growth line at 500 shrimp/m3 showed that after 83 d, shrimp reached the 23.6 g size with 1.85 g/wk, survival of 81.6%, FCR of 1.43 and yield of 9.58 kg/m3. Economic analyses using these results is used to identify areas to improve viability. Another three research areas were: 1) The optimization of shrimp feeds to develop fishmeal and fish oil free diets - Previous results already showed good success in replacement of these two components. This year research showed once again that glandless cotton seedmeal and oil can be used replace fishmeal and oil in shrimp diets. Testing with commercial formulation showed that 50% of the fishmeal can be replaced by GCSM., 2) The use of microalgae for production of biofuel and bio-products. Preliminary results in 12 outdoor 3 m2 RWs help in better understanding of the algae requirements for CO2, nutrients and water reuse, 3) The use of the halophyte Salicornia for effluent water purification, as a source for plant protein and for biofuel production.

Publications

• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Fuqua, Z.B., Cornelius, N.G., Holmes, K., Figgs, R.M., Perkins, G.B., Heikoop, J.M., Sullivan, E.J., Schoonover, J.R., Dean, C.A., and Rearick, M.S. 2011. Winter biomass production of marine microalgae in outdoor raceways Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) and Nannochloropsis OZ1 (aka N. oceanica). An Abstract and a Poster presented at the 1st International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. Westin St. Louis, St Louis, MO, USA, July 17-21, 2011.
• Samocha, T.M. 2011. Management of biofloc dominated zero exchange super-intensive nursery and grow-out systems for the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Proceedings of the Chennai Aquaculture Technology Meet-2011, November 16-17 2011, Chennai, Madras, India.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Zimba, P.M., Fuqua, Z.B., Cornelius, N.G., Figgs, R.M., Gillespie, S., Gain,J., Bennett, J., and Woodring, S. 2011. 1) Productivity of Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) and N. OZ1 (aka N. oceanica) With different Nutrient Application Strategies and Modification of the ODI Nutirent Mix. 2) Review of Key Research Results for Months 1-18 of the NAABB. An Abstract and Poster presented at the 2011 NAABB Upstream/Downstream Keystone Meeting. November 16-18, 2011, Tempe, AZ.
• Falcao, V., Williford, T., Samocha, T., Fortenberry, M., Rajamani, S., Wilkenfeld, J., and Sayre, R. 2011. Identification and control of biocontaminants in algal biofuel ponds. An Abstract and a Poster presented at the 2011 NAABB Upstream/Downstream Keystone Meeting. November 16-18, 2011, Tempe, AZ.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Zimba, P.M., Dale, T., Schaub, T., Fuqua, Z.B., Cornelius, N.G., Figgs, R.M., Gillespie, S., Gain, J., and Bennett, J. 2011. Productivity of Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) and N. OZ1 (aka N. oceanica) Under Three Management Strategies-Batch, Incremental-Volume Batch, & Continuous Culture. An Abstract and a Poster presented at the 2011 Algae Biomass Summit. Minneapolis, MN, USA, October 24-27, 2011.
• Dean, C A., Sullivan, E.J., Yoshida, T.M., Twary, S., Batuk, O., Ding, M., Rearick, M., Laur, P., Viszolay, A., Brown, L., Brown, J., Wilkenfeld, J., Samocha, T.M., and Webb, S., 2011. Metals Uptake and Speciation in Algae Grown for Biofuel Production. An Abstract and a Poster presented at the 1st International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels, and Bioproducts (P2.14), St. Louis, MO, July 17-21, 2011.
• Samocha, T.M. 2011. Shrimp Nursery Technologies. An abstract of an oral presentation published in the Show Directory Manual of the VIII International Shrimp Farming Symposium, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 19.
• Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Morris, T.C., Advant, B., Hanson, T. Wilkenfeld, J.S., and Huysman, N.D. 2011. Super-intensive biofloc dominated zero exchange shrimp production systems for the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei-opportunities and challenges using recycled culture water in zero-exchange raceways with foam fractionation and dissolved oxygen monitoring systems as management tools. An abstract of an oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2011, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 998.
• Richardson, C.M., Samocha, T.M., Siccardi III, A.J., Klim, B.C., Holmes, K.A., and Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2011. Substitution of fish meal with shrimp biofloc in diets fed to the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of an oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2011, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 997.
• Siccardi III, A.J., Samocha, T.M., Richardson, C.M., and Klim, B.C. 2011. Apparent digestibility of six glandless cottonseed protein concentrate in diets fed to the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei maintained in zero water-exchange tanks. An abstract of an oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2011, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 996.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Fuqua, Z., Holmes, K.A., Cornelius, N., Morris, T.C., Bennett, J., Figgs, R., Gain, J., Siccardi, A., and Jones, K. 2011. Production of Nannochloropsis salina (CCMP 1776) and N. OZ1 biomass in outdoor raceways under various culture conditions, including different modes of co2 application and, nutrient regimes, batch vs. continuous culture, and use of recycled vs. new seawater media using cultures of different ages. An abstract of an oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2011, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 1174.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Holmes, K.A., Morris, T.C., Siccardi, A. Bennett, J., Fuqua, Z., Cornelius, N., and Jones, K. 2011. Progress towards developing a live bait-shrimp industry in the USA using the Northern White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus: grow-out and maturation of the f4 generation, production of the f5-generation, grow-out in super-intensive greenhouse-enclosed race ways under zero exchange, and preliminary results of density studies. An abstract of an oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2011, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 1173.
• Gonzalez-Felix, M.L., da Silva, F.S.D., Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Wilkenfeld, J.S., and Perez-Velazquez, M. 2011. Replacement of fish oil in plant based diets for Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of an oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2011, June 6-10, 2011, Natal, Brazil. p. 501.
• Samocha, T.M. 2011. A summary of recent intensive nursery and grow-out studies with the Pacific White Shrimp at the Texas AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab at Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi, Texas. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 405.
• Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Huysman, N.D. Holmes, K.A., Wilkenfeld, J.S., Siccardi III, A.J., Ur-Rehman, S., and Mahmood, K. 2011. Intensive nursery culture of disease resistant and growth crosses of the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in a zero exchange system. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 226.
• Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Huysman, N.D., Klim, B.C., Holmes, K.A., Wilkenfeld, J.S., and Siccardi III, A.J. 2011. High-density production of disease resistant and growth crosses of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, using recycled culture water in zero-exchange raceways with foam fractionation and dissolved oxygen monitoring systems as management tools. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 404.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Holmes, K.A., Bennett, J., Morris, T.C., Fuqua, Z., and Cornelius, N. 2011. Advances in the grow-out and maturation of the f4 generation, and production of f5-generation viral-pathogen-free broodstock of the Northern White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus-continuing the effort to develop a live bait-shrimp industry in the USA. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 487.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Holmes, K.A., Morris, T.C., Bennett, J., Fuqua, Z., Cornelius, N. Jones, K., Gain, J., and Figgs, R. 2011. Continuation of live bait shrimp grow-out trials with the Northern White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus in intensive, greenhouse-enclosed raceways under zero water exchange conditions, and preliminary results of density studies in outdoor tanks under shade: the F5 generation. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 486.
• Morris, T.C., Samocha, T.M., Advent, B., Huysman, N.D., and Holmes, K.A. 2011. Performance of the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in biofloc-dominated zero exchange raceways using a non-venturi air injection system for aeration and foam fractionation. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 315.
• Klim, B.C., Samocha, T.M., Uddameri, V., and Holmes, K.A. 2011. Nutrient recovery rate of the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii and the effect of periodic cropping on nutrient uptake. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 245.
• Siccardi III, A.J., Samocha, T.M., Richardson, C.M., and Klim, B.C. 2011. Apparent digestibility of seven cottonseed meals and substitution of fish meal with cottonseed meal in diets fed to the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei maintained in zero water-exchange tanks. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 426.
• Richardson, C.M., Samocha, T.M., Siccardi III, A.J., Klim, B.C., Holmes, K.A., and Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2011. Substitution of fish meal with shrimp biofloc in diets fed to the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2011, February 28-March 3, 2011, New Orleans, LA. p. 392.
• Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Kim, J.S., Correia, E.S., and Advent, B. 2011. Avancos recentes na operacao de raceway super-intensivos dominandos por bioflocs e com renovacao zero para a producao do camarao branco do Pacifico, Litopenaeus vannamei. Revista ABCC XIII(2):62-67.
• Samocha, T.M. 2010. Super-Intensive Shrimp System Provides A Look Into The Future. Application Note, YSI Environmental.
• Samocha, T.M. 2010. Use of no water exchange and Zeigler 35% CP HI diet for the production of marketable Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in a super-intensive raceway system. The Practical 1(3):8-10, Asian Aquaculture Network, Thailand.
• Correia, E.S., and Samocha, T.M. 2010. Cultivo superintensivo de camarao marinho sem troca de agua. Fenacam 2010: VII Simposio Internacional de Carcinicultura e IV Simposio Internacional de Aquicultura. June 2010, Natal, Brazil. pp. 336-352.

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: TDA/BARD fund enabled measuring N&P removal by the halophyte Salicornia in a replicated buckets trial. $350K/2y from TX A&M Bioenergy Exceptional Funds & $330K/3y from DOE/NAABB helped identify & grow microalgae for biofuel & bioproducts. Trials were done in 12, 3 m2 outdoor RWs. Factors studied included CO2 & nutrient supply & water reuse. Work continued with funding from TX Sea Grant on development of viral-pathogen-free populations of Atlantic White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus. F5 generation PL were produced & sent to research & private producers. Other trials studied effect of densities on growth & survival of this species under zero exchange. 4 proposals were submitted to continue this research. Dietary trials were done with Cotton Incorporated fund with L. vannamei juveniles. Results showed that cottonseed meal & oil can be incorporated into shrimp diets with significant cost savings to farmers (33% of the fishmeal & all marine lipid can be replaced with cottonseed meal & oil without negative impact on growth & survival). Similarly, 67% of the fishmeal could be replaced with cottonseed meal when lipid was obtained marine fish oil. Another nursery & grow-out trials were done with this species in a super-intensive system with funding from USDA/MSFP & the National Academies of Sciences to develop sustainable & biosecure practices for production of food shrimp with no water exchange. A nursery study using fast-growing & Taura resistant lines showed that under density of 3,500 PL/m3, after 52 d the Taura resistant shrimp were significantly larger (0.90 vs. 0.74 g). Two super-intensive grow-out trials were done in 2010 in greenhouse-enclosed RWs. The 1st trial in 4 RWs (40 m3 ea) evaluated performance of juveniles (>1 g) from the two lines at density of 550/m3 & zero exchange. On day 44 (av. wt. 8 g) & biomass load of 4.4 kg/m3, the 1st shrimp mortality was noticed in 1 RW with the fast-growing line. A high water exchange was ineffective in alleviating the problem. When this RW was harvested on day 72 (av. wt. 15 g) survival was 16.3%. Disease lab findings suggested presence of different Vibrio species. Shortly after the initial mortality similar problems were found in the other 3 RWs. Reduce water salinity & applications of probiotic didn't result in halting mortality. Survival in these RWs after 141 d was very low (5.6-7.9%) which precluded drawing any conclusions related to strain performance. The 2nd study was conducted with 8.5 g shrimp in two, 80 m3 RWs at a density of 270/m3 under zero exchange. The study was designed to determine if suitable DO levels & bioflocs mixing can be achieved without airlift pumps, air diffusers & Venturi injector used in the old system. Preliminary results suggest no need for additional means for mixing while maintaining high DO (> 5.2 mg/L) with biomass load as high as 6.5 kg/m3. Furthermore, although 90% survival with shrimp av. wt. greater than 26 g were achieved after 87 d, FCR in both tanks were high. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
To help the shrimp farming industry in the US, research efforts at the AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab in Corpus Christi were designed to develop sustainable technologies for production viral-pathogen-free (VPF) live bait shrimp of the Atlantic White Shrimp. VPF F5 generation of this species are currently being raised to produce F6 generation PL. Other research efforts focused on the development of production of marketable size shrimp in super-intensive no discharge systems. Preliminary results suggest that special nozzles can be used for mixing and aeration sustaining good survival (90%) with biomass load of 6.5 kg/m3 of 26 g shrimp with no need for airlift pumps, air diffuser and pure oxygen supplementation. Nevertheless, additional work is needed to reduce FCR. Another three research areas were: 1) The optimization of shrimp feeds to develop fish meal and fish oil free diets - Previous results already showed good success in replacement of these two components. This year research showed our ability to use glandless cotton seedmeal and oil to replace fish meal and oil in shrimp diets. Future studies will continue to improve the performance of the shrimp using these diets, 2) The use of microalgae for production of biofuel and bio-products. Preliminary results in outdoor 3 m2 RWs help in better understanding of the algae requirements for CO2, nutrient and the potential reuse of the culture water. Future studies are planned to grow the microalgae using the flue gas from a nearby power plant under outdoor conditions. 3) The use of the halophyte Salicornia for effluent water purification, as a source for plant protein and for biofuel production.

Publications

• Gonzalez-Felix, M.L. da Silvab, F.S.D., Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M., Morris, T.C., Wilkenfeld, J.S., Perez-Velazquez, M. 2010. Replacement of fish oil in plant based diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Aquaculture 309:152-158.
• Samocha, T.M. Patnaik, S., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Browdy, C.L. 2010. Use of commercial fermentation products as highly unsaturated fatty acid source in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture Research 41:961-967.
• Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Hanson, T., Wilkenfeld, J.S. and Morris, T.C. 2010. Intensive raceways without water exchange analyzed for White Shrimp Culture. Global Aquaculture Advocate July/August:22-24.
• Patnaik, S. and Samocha, T.M. 2009. Improved feed management strategy for Litopenaeus vannamei in limited exchange culture systems. World Aquaculture 40(1):57-59.
• Samocha, T.M. 2010. Use of intensive and super-intensive nursery systems. Pages xx-xx In: Alday-Sans, V. ed. The Shrimp Book, theory and practice of Penaeid shrimp aquaculture. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
• Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Hanson, T., Wilkenfeld, J.S. and Morris, T.C. 2010. Operation and economics of a biofloc-dominated zero exchange system for the production of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in greenhouse-enclosed raceways. Proceedings of the Aquacultural Engineering Society Issues Forum, August 18-19, 2010, Roanoke, VA.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S. and Samocha, T.M. 2010. Advances in broodstock grow-out, maturation, and reproduction of the Northern White Shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, at the AgriLife Research Mariculture Laboratory, Corpus Christi, Texas. The 9th Annual Sea Grant Research Conference, October 7-8, 2010, University of Texas, Port Aransas, TX.
• Samocha, T.M. 2010. Design and operation of zero exchange biofloc-dominated super-intensive nursery and grow-out systems for the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Blue Archipelago Aquaculture Seminar Series: "Biofloc and recirculating systems for Aquaculture." June 19th, 2010, University Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Samocha, T.M. 2010. Design and operation of zero exchange biofloc-dominated super-intensive nursery and grow-out systems for the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Asian Aquaculture Network Workshop Bangkok 2010: "Learn more about biofloc and recirculating aquaculture system." June 17th, 2010, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
• Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Wilkenfeld, J.S., Morris, T.C. and Wei, L. 2010. From flow through to zero exchange - a summary of the intensive nursery and grow-out studies with the Pacific White Shrimp at the Texas AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab at Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi, Texas. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 874.
• Morris, T.C., da Silva, F.S.D., Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A. and 2010. Plant-based diets for Litopenaeus vannamei: replacement of fish oil with soybean oil with or without adjustments in 3/ 6 ratio. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 936.
• Klim, B.C., Samocha, T.M. and Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2010. Use of the halophyte Salicornia sp. As a tool for removing nutrients from mariculture effluent. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 529.
• Correia, E.S., Samocha, T.M., Wilkenfeld, J.S., Morris, T.C. and Wei, L. 2010. Intensive nursery of the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in greenhouse-enclosed raceways using low and high protein diets under no water exchange. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 225.
• Samocha, T.M. and Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2010. Pacific White Shrimp Culture with Zero Discharge, Bait Shrimp & Algae Production - An overview of the research activities at the AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab at Corpus Christi. An oral presentation at the 40th Annual Conference & Trade Show, Bay City Civic Center, Texas January 27-29, 2010. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M. 2009. Nursery, Grow-out and economic analysis of super-intensive zero exchange biofloc dominated system for the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Oral presentations to faculty and staff members. December 11, 2009, West Sea Mariculture Research Center, Taean, Korea.
• Samocha, T.M. 2009. Induced maturation and larval rearing of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Use of aeration in grow-out phase for Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Intensive nursery and grow-out of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei in no water exchange biofloc dominated system, Presentations at the Regional Animal Production Courses. November 8-13, 2009, El Pueblo Hotel & Convention Center Thunderbird Resorts, Lima, Peru.
• Samocha, T.M., Haslun, J.A., Strychar, K.B., Correia, E.S. and Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2010. Preliminary characterization of microbial and algal communities in a zero water exchange super-intensive system for production of food-size Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 876.
• Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Wilkenfeld, J.S., Morris, T.C. and Wei, L. 2010. High-density production of the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in recycled culture water under zero-exchange conditions using settling tanks, foam fractionators and dissolved oxygen monitoring systems as management tools. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 875.
• Samocha, T.M, Advent, B., Correia, E.S., Morris, T.C. and Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2010. Growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei in super intensive mixotrophic raceway culture with zero discharge using Taeration technology for aeration and extended CO2 degassing. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 877.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Morris, T.C. and Holmes, K.A. 2010. Live bait shrimp production of the Northern White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus in intensive, greenhouse-enclosed raceways under zero water exchange conditions. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p. 1088.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S., Samocha, T.M., Correia, E.S., Morris, T.C. and Holmes, K.A. 2010. Observations on grow-out and maturation of the F3 generation, and production of F4-generation viral-pathogen-free broodstock of the Northern White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus - an ongoing effort to develop a live bait-shrimp industry in the USA. An abstract of an oral presentation at the Aquaculture America 2010, March 1-5, 2010, San Diego, CA. p.1087.

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: With funding from Texas Department of Agriculture and the Binational Agricultural Research & Development Fund a study was conducted to measure how much nitrogen and phosphorus species can be removed by the halophyte Salicornia from shrimp effluent waters. Additional work will evaluate the plant suitability to provide plant protein for animal diets and seeds for production of biofuel. A multi-institutional proposal ($350K) was received from Texas A&M Bioenergy Exceptional Item Funds to identify and grow microalgae for production biofuel and byproducts using power plant flue gas CO2. The studies will be conducted in a small outdoor raceway system using twelve 3 m2 fiberglass tanks. A Federal Initiative proposal ($6.0 million) was submitted to Texas A&M System to further develop the economic viability of shrimp farming in the U.S. Work continued with funding fro Texas sea Grant College Program on the development of viral-pathogen-free populations of native shrimp species. F4 generation PL of the Atlantic White Shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, were produced at the AgriLife Research Lab to help develop the live bait shrimp farming industry in TX. Dietary studies were conducted with funding from American soybean Association in an 84 tank system (0.65 m3 each) with the L. vannamei juveniles. Results showed that up to 90% of the fish oil in the diet can be replaced with soy oil with no adverse effect on shrimp growth and survival. Another grow-out trial with this species in a super-intensive system was conducted with funding from USDA Marine shrimp farming Program and National Academies of Sciences to further develop sustainable, cost-effective and biosecure practices for the production of food-size shrimp with no water exchange. The 108 d study was conducted in 4 RWs (68.5 m2, 40 m3) stocked with 0.99 g juvenile shrimp at a density of 450/m3 with water previously used in a 62 d nursery trial. The study evaluated the use of foam fractionators and settling tanks as tools to control culture medium particulate matter (PM) and their effect on selected water quality indicators and shrimp performance. Shrimp were fed a 35% commercial diet donated by Zeigler Bros. (Gardners, PA). Results suggest that both methods were adequate for PM control. No differences were found in shrimp final weights (21.8-22.5 g), survival (94.5-96.8%), weekly growth (1.35-1.39 g/wk), FCR (1.53-1.60), water usage (98-126 L/kg shrimp produced), and yields (9.34-9.75 kg/m3). Of significant was the finding that only little amount of pure oxygen was needed to support these yields (0.3-0.5 LPM of oxygen during the week before the study termination). Furthermore, the concentrations of TAN and NO2 throughout the trial never reached the 1.5 mg/L level. The data collected in this study will be used to further improve the economic viability of super-intensive grow-out systems operated with no water exchange. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: 1.Shrimp researchers and producers in the US and other part of the world. 2.Researchers and producers interested in effluent aquaculture water remediation. 3. Researchers and producers interested in the development of alternative energy sources and capture of CO2. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: 1. Significant improvement in operating and yields obtained from zero-exchange super-intensive production systems. 2. Potential use of the halophyte Salicornia for aquaculture effluent water remediation. 3. Initiation of small scale microalgae production studies for biofuel.

Impacts
To help the shrimp farming industry in the US, research efforts at the AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab in Corpus Christi were designed to develop sustainable technologies for production viral-pathogen-free (VPF) live bait shrimp of the Atlantic White Shrimp. VPF F4 generation of this species are currently being raised to produce F5 generation PL. Other research efforts focused on the development of production of marketable size shrimp in super-intensive no discharge systems. Results showed that sustainable practices for producing food-size Pacific White Shrimp at high densities with no discharge. Preliminary results suggest that the shrimp can be raised at high densities (450/m3) with good final weight (21.8-22.5 g), growth (1.35-1.39 g/wk), excellent survival (94.5-96.8%) and yields (9.34-9.75), and reasonable feed conversion ratio (1.53-1.60 4) using only limited amount of water (98-126 L/kg shrimp produced). Another three research areas are 1) The optimization of shrimp feeds to develop fish meal and fish oil free diets - Previous results already showed good success in replacement of these two components. Future studies will continue to improve the performance of the shrimp using these diets, 2) The use of CO2-rich flue gas from power plant to produce microalgae for biofuel -preliminary results showed good algal growth under indoor conditions. Future studies are planned to grow the microalgae using the flue gas from a nearby power plant under outdoor conditions. 3) The use of the halophyte Salicornia for effluent water purification, as a source for plant protein and for biofuel production.

Publications

• Wilkenfeld, J.S. and Samocha, T.M. 2009. Ongoing Shrimp Research Activities and New Projects Concerning the Environment and Renewable Energy Sources. Texas Aquaculture Association Conference, Bay City, TX, December 22, 2008. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M. 2009. Advances in shrimp nursery technologies. Page 195-208 in: Craig L. Browdy and Darryl E. Jory, editors. The Rising Tide, Proceedings of the Special Session on Sustainable Shrimp Farming, World Aquaculture 2009. The World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge Louisiana USA.
• Samocha, T.M., Wilkenfeld, J.S. 2009. An overview of closed-recirculating systems for induced maturation and larval rearing of Penaeid shrimp. An abstract of an oral presentation at the XI Ecuadorian Aquaculture Conference & Aquaexpo - AQUA2009, October 12-15, 2009. Guayaquil, Ecuador.
• Samocha, T.M. 2009. Advances in shrimp nursery technologies. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture 2009, September 25-29, 2009. Veracruz, Mexico. p. 766.
• Samocha, T.M. 2009. Description, management and performance of super-intensive microbial biofloc dominated shrimp production systems. Oral presentation at the World Aquaculture 2009, September 25-29, 2009. Veracruz, Mexico. Addendum.
• Wilkenfeld, J.S. and Samocha, T.M. 2009. A Review of the Live Bait Shrimp Farming Program Funded by the National and the Texas Sea Grant College Program. 8th Annual Researcher Conference, Texas A&M University at Galveston, September 22, 2009. Invited Speaker.

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A multi-researchers pre-proposal for $1.3 million to investigate the use of the halophyte Salicornia as biodiesel source and environmental remediation agent was submitted to Chevron Technology Ventures. With funding from BARD a small scale experiment was initiated to study the use Salicornia as for biofuel & effluent water purification. A proposal for $100K was funded by the Bioenergy Exceptional Item Funds of Texas A&M to explore the use of power plant flue gas CO2 to produce microalgae for biofuel. Preliminary results suggest that a candidate algal species could be cultured under lab conditions at high densities with minimum contamination. Future studies will evaluate outdoor algal production using CO2 from flue gas. Another multi-institutional proposal for 6.5 million to produce biofuel from microalgae was submitted to DOW Chemical & was not funded. A federal Initiative proposal for $6.0 million was submitted Texas A&M System. Viral-pathogen-free (VPF) F2 postlarvae were produced & shipped to research & commercial facilities in TX & other states. Due to poor growth & survival of these shrimp, future studies will focus on the production & use of VPF Atlantic White Shrimp to develop the live bait shrimp farming industry in TX. Studies with the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, continued to focus on development of sustainable, cost-effective & biosecure production practices. Grow-out studies were conducted in 4 RWs (68.5 m2, 40 m3) with. RWs trial evaluated the feasibility of producing high shrimp biomass of marketable size shrimp under high stocking density (668/m3) & no water discharge. The study also evaluated the effect of foam fractionators (2 RWs) & settling tanks (2 RWs) on selected water quality indicators & shrimp performance. Shrimp were fed a 35% special diet donated by Zeigler Bros. (Gardners, PA). The study had to be terminated after 74 days because of heavy mortality from bacterial disease outbreak (Vibrio). Mean shrimp weights (15.3-18.7 g), yields (6.6-7.6 kg/m3), survival (52.5-71.2%) & FCR (1.6-1.79) were much lower than previous year. Massive seepage from a near by cooling lake was suspected to be the source for the bacterial outbreak. As the study had to be terminated prematurely, the true effect of each particulate matter control on shrimp performance & water quality could not be evaluated. Studies were also conducted in another small 84 tank system (84 tanks each 0.65 m3) with L. vannamei juveniles. These studies showed improved shrimp performance with the increase in dietary soy lecithin from 0 to 2%. Furthermore, use of soy oil in diet formulation reduced the use fish oil in diet formulation. PARTICIPANTS: Bioenergy Exceptional Item Funds of Texas A&M provided seed money to start production of algae for biofuel using CO2-rich flue gas from power plant. BARD provided funding to work on the use of of halophyte Salicornia for purification of aquaculture effluent water and as source of biofuel. This work is conducted with two Israeli scientists. American soybean Association provided funding to evaluate potential use of soybean products in shrimp formulations. This work was done with Dr. Davis from Auburn University, in Alabama. Funding for the development of the live bait shrimp farming industry in the US was provided by the National Sea Grant Program through NOAA. This research was conducted with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (Dr. Browdy), Auburn University (Dr. Davis), and Mississippi State (Dr. Hanson). Funding for the development of sustainable super intensive shrimp farming practices with no water discharge was provided by the US Marine shrimp Farming Program. TARGET AUDIENCES: Us Shrimp producers, Organizations involved in biofuel production from microalgae, Shrimp feed manufacturers Soil conservation and constructed wetland activists Investors PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Included the biofuel production from microalgae and the use of halophyte to purify effluent water and to produce biofuel.

Impacts
To help the shrimp farming industry in the US, research efforts at the AgriLife Research Mariculture Lab in Corpus Christi were designed to develop sustainable technologies for production viral-pathogen-free (VPF) live bait shrimp of the Atlantic Pink Shrimp. As the VPF F2 generation did not perform well in grow-out studies, research focus was shifted to the Atlantic White Shrimp. Future work will focus on raising VPF F4 generation of this species and the development of sustainable production management practices for this species. Other research efforts focused on the development of production of marketable size shrimp in super-intensive no discharge systems. Results showed that sustainable practices for producing food size Pacific White Shrimp at high densities with no discharge. Preliminary results suggest that the shrimp can be raised at high densities (>500/m3) with good growth (1.22-1.32 g/wk), survival (80-88%), yield (7.92-9.34 kg/m3) and feed conversion ratio (1.2-1.4) with limited water usage (142-155 L/kg shrimp). Another three research areas are 1) The optimization of shrimp feeds to develop fish meal and fish oil free diets - Previous results already showed good success in replacement of these two components. Future studies will continue to improve the performance of the shrimp using these diets. 2) The use of CO2-rich flue gas from power plant to produce microalgae for biofuel -preliminary results showed good algal growth under indoor conditions. Future studies are planned to grow the microalgae using the flue gas from a nearby power plant under outdoor conditions. 3) The use of the halophyte Salicornia for effluent water purification and for biofuel production - preliminary results showing the performance of different ecotypes are scheduled to start soon.

Publications

• Davis, A.D., Sookying, D. Roy, L., Samocha, T.M. and Browdy, C.L. 2008. Development, testing and demonstration of low fish meal diets for the production of Pacific white shrimp. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture 2008, May 19-23, 2008. Busan, Korea. p. 153.
• Samocha, T.M. 2008. The 4th Korea-U.S. Joint Coordination Panel (JCP) Meeting for Aquaculture Cooperation. May 19, 2008, Busan, Korea. Panel Member.
• Sookying, D., Markey, J., Quintero, H.E., Rodriguez, D., Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M. and Browdy, C.L. 2008. Pond production of live bait shrimp, Penaeus setiferus and Farfantepenaeus duorarum in Alabama. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2008, February 9-12, 2008. Orlando, FL. p. 375.
• Morris, T.C., Samocha, T.M., Davis, A.D., Bullis, R.A., Patnaik, S. and Kim, J.S. 2008. Response of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, to varying levels of arachidonic acid in plant-based diets offered to juvenile shrimp reared in outdoor tanks. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2008, February 9-12, 2008. Orlando, FL. p. 249.
• Morris, T.C., Samocha, T.M. and Honious, D. 2008. Continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen in super-intensive shrimp grow-out in greenhouse-enclosed raceways using a software integrated monitoring system. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2008, February 9-12, 2008. Orlando, FL. p. 251.
• Davis, D.A., Brown, P. Forster, I. And Samocha, T.M. 2008. Development and application of low fishmeal diets for the production of marine shrimp (L. vannamei). United Soybean Board (USB), Aquaculture Industry Coalition, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. February 9, 2008.
• Samocha, T.M. 2007. Overview of intensive production systems for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, concepts in intensive nursery and grow-out techniques under biosecure and limited discharge conditions for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Presentation given at the Regional Animal Production Courses. June 10-13, 2007, Monterrey, Mexico. Invited Speaker.
• Mishra, J.K., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Speed, M., Gandy, R.L. and Ali, A.M. 2007. Performance of an intensive nursery system for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, under limited discharge condition. Aquacultural Engineering 38(1):2-15.
• Browdy, C.L., Seaborn, G., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Samocha, T.M. and Leffler, J.W. 2007. Alternative approaches for removing fish meal and oils from farmed shrimp diets using plant and poultry meals and marine algal products. United States Department of Agriculture, National Organic Standards Board, Organic Aquaculture Symposium. Washington, DC November 27, 2007. Published electronically. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPPRDC5064649&acc t=nosb.
• Samocha, T.M. 2009. Overview of some sustainable, super-intensive microbial biofloc-rich shrimp production systems used by Gulf Coast Research Lab, Waddell Mariculture Center and AgriLife Research Mariculture Laboratory. Food and Water Summit, January 12-15, 2009 Washington. D.C.
• Davis, A.D., Sookying, D. Roy, L., Samocha, T.M. and Browdy, C.L. 2008. Development, testing and demonstration of low fish meal diets for the production of Pacific white shrimp. An abstract of a paper presented at the International Workshop on Healthy Aquaculture 2008. May 25-27, 2008. Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Ali, A.M., Morris, T.C. and Kim, J.S. 2008. Super intensive grow-out of the Pacific white shrimp with no water exchange and establishment of F1 viral-pathogen free generation of the Atlantic pink shrimp. 38th Annual Conference & Trade Show, Texas Aquaculture Association, January 16-18, 2008, El Campo Civic Center, El Campo Texas.
• Samocha, T.M. 2007. Super intensive grow-out of the Pacific white shrimp with no water exchange. An oral presentation at the International Workshop on Production of SPF Shrimp and Genetic Breeding of Shrimp. December 13, 2007, West Sea Mariculture Center, Taean, Korea. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M. 2007. How to make shrimp farming more sustainable and cost effective. Seminar to faculty and staff, December 13, 2007, West Sea Mariculture Center, Taean, Korea.
• Davis, D.A., Brown, P. Forster, I. And Samocha, T.M. 2007. Research Update on Shrimp Research. Soy-in-Aquaculture Stakeholders Meeting, Hubbs Sea World, Mission Bay, CA, September 5-7, 2007.
• Samocha, T.M. 2007. Development of a sustainable and biosecure commercial shrimp production management practices with limited water discharge. Presentation at the Catedras CUMEX, Universitaria A. P., Monterrey, Mexico, June 13, 2007.
• Samocha, T.M., Kim, J.S., Patnaik, S., Ali, A.M., Morris, T.C. and Hanson, T.R. 2008. Greenhouse Enclosed Super-Intensive Shrimp Culture under Limited Exchange. An oral presentation at The International Workshop Intensive Shrimp Culture and Selective Breeding, December 12, 2008 West Sea Mariculture Research Center, Taean, Korea. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M. 2008. Inland shrimp culture. An oral presentation to faculty and staff. December 11, 2008, West Sea Mariculture Research Center, Taean, Korea. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M. 2008. Induced maturation, broodstock handling and hatchery design and operation of penaeid shrimp. Presentations at the Regional Animal Production Courses. August 25-29, 2008, Haciend El Carmen, Guadalajara, Mexico. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M. 2008. Nursery and grow-out of the Pacific whit shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in ponds and raceway systems under biosecure and limited discharge conditions. Presentations at the Regional Animal Production Courses. August 25-29, 2008, Haciend El Carmen, Guadalajara, Mexico. Invited Speaker.
• Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M, Reigh, R. and Drawbridge, M. 2008. Development and application of low fish meal diets for marine species. United Soybean Boards (USB) Stake holders meeting, Durham, NH, July 10-11, 2008.
• Samocha, T.M. Applying the "KISS" concept in construction and operation of a super intensive grow-out system for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the 9th International Shrimp Culture Symposium & Trade Show. June 4-6, 2008. Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
• Samocha, T.M., Kim, J.S., Patnaik, S., Ali, A.M. and Morris, T.C. 2008. Production, water quality, nutrient budget and preliminary cost analysis of a super-intensive grow-out system for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei operated with no water exchange. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture 2008, May 19-23, 2008. Busan, Korea. p. 635.
• Davis, D.A., Reigh, R. and Samocha, T.M. 2008. Research update, high soy diets for the Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) and Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus). United Soybean Boards (USB) New Uses Committee Meeting. Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. February 21, 2008 & Global Soy In Aquaculture Meeting, Busan Korea, May 18, 2008.
• Samocha, T.M. 2008. Design and Production Performance of a super intensive grow-out system for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei operated with no water exchange. An abstract of a paper presented at the International Workshop on Healthy Aquaculture 2008. May 25-27, 2008. Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
• Samocha, T.M., Kim, J.S., Morris, T.C. and Patnaik, S. 2008. Intensive grow-out of pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in greenhouse-enclosed raceways with limited water discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2008, February 9-12, 2008. Orlando, FL. p. 339.
• Samocha, T.M., Gandy, R.L., Morris, T.C., Patnaik, S., Kim, J.S., Davis, D.A., Richardson, J.R. and Browdy, C.L. 2008. Development of viral pathogen free broodstock populations of the Atlantic pink Farfantepenaeus duorarum and the Atlantic white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2008, February 9-12, 2008. Orlando, FL. p. 340.

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A federal initiative request for funding for $750K/y for 5-y to develop the live bait shrimp farming industry (LBSFI) in Texas was approved by TAES for submission as federal initiative for the 3rd y. A 2-y multi-state grant to develop pathogen-viral-free breeding populations of native species for the LBSFI was received and F1 PL were produced sent to research and industry collaborators. Another 2-y proposal on the development of LBSFI in TX was approved for funding by TX Sea Grant. Studies with the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, continued to focus on development of sustainable, cost-effective & biosecure production practices. Grow-out studies were conducted in 4 RWs (68.5 m2, 40 m3) with water used previously for nursery. RWs trial evaluated the feasibility of producing high shrimp biomass of marketable size shrimp under high stocking density (530/m3) and no water discharge. The study also evaluated the effect of foam fractionators (2 RWs) and settling tanks (2 RWs) on selected water quality indicators and shrimp performance. Shrimp were fed a 35% special diet donated by Zeigler Bros. (Gardners, PA). No significant differences were found in WQ between RW treatments. Results showed that this experimental system can be used to raise marketable size shrimp (17.3-18.5 g) with good survival (80-88%) and high yields (7.9-9.3 kg/m3) with low FCR (1.2-1.4) and only limited water use (142 to 155 L/1 kg shrimp) while using the same water used for the nursery study. The mean final weights of the shrimp raised in the RWs operated with settling tanks were significantly higher than the mean final weights of the shrimp raised in the RWs operated with FF. Studies were also were also conducted in another small TKs system (84 tanks each 0.65 m3) with L. vannamei juveniles demonstrated a successful replacement of marine fish meal with soybean meal and HUFA-rich meal from non-marine sources in practical diets for this species. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Tzachi Samocha (PI), Dr. Susmita Patnaik, Trained Dr. Jong sheek Kim from NFRDI West Sea Crustacean Center in Korea. Zeigler Bros., Inc., Gradners PA donated the feed used in the super-intensive study ($4,500). Yellow Springs, Inc. (Yellow Springs, OH), donated three multi probe (oxygen, temperature salinity) monitoring system which were used in the super intensive production trial ($9,000). Work was in collaboration with Dr. Browdy South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Waddell Mariculture Center, Bluffton SC, Dr. Davis, Auburn University, Dr. Ali from University of New Mexico, and Dr. Fox from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers from other universities/research institutions in the country and shrimp producers from Texas and other states.

Impacts
US shrimp farming industry requires annotative tools to economically produce food and live bait shrimp in limited discharge systems with minimal negative impact on receiving streams. The tests at Texas AgriLife Research (TAES) facility, Corpus Christi showed that high shrimp yields can be achieved with reused water. Other studies focused on optimization of shrimp feeds with an emphasis on the development of cost-effective, biosecure and sustainable practices.

Publications

• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Speed, M., Ali, A.M., Burger, J.M., Almeida, R.V., Ayub, Z., Harisanto, M., Horowitz, A. and Brock, D.L. 2007. Use of molasses as carbon source in limited discharge nursery and grow-out systems for Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquacultural Engineering 36(2):184-191.
• Gandy, R.L., Samocha, T.M., Masser, M.P., Fox, J.M., Ali, A.M.S., Gatlin III, D.M. and Speed, F.M. 2007. The effect of unilateral eyestalk ablation and diet on the reproductive performance of wild-caught Farfantepenaeus aztecus using a closed recirculating system. Aquaculture Research 38(6):580-587.
• Patnaik, S, Samocha, T.M. and Kilgen, M.B. 2007. Probiotic found ineffective against Vibrio harveyi in limited exchange shrimp pond study. Global Aquaculture Advocate 10(5):94-96.
• Browdy, C.L., Seaborn, G., Atwood, H., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Samocha, T.M., Wirth, E., Leffler, J.W. 2007. Comparison of pond production efficiency, and contaminants in Litopenaeus vannamei fed organic plant-based and fish-meal-based diets. Panorama Acuicola Magazine 12(4):20-26.
• Austin, J.J., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Morris, T.C., Almeida, R.V. and Yiu, Y. 2007. Intensive grow-out of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in greenhouse enclosed raceways with limited water discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 40.
• Patnaik, S., Samocha, T.M., Kilgen, M.B., Morris, T.C., Austin, J.J. and Alameida, R.V. 2007. Potential use of probiotic mixtures of Bacillus strains to prevent Vibrio harveyi outbreak in membrane-lined ponds stocked with Litopenaeus vannamei and operated with limited discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 695.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Morris, T.C. and Austin, J.J. 2007. Effect of probiotic mixtures of Bacillus strains and a mixture of nitrifiers on water quality and shrimp performance in limited exchange tank system stocked with Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 502.
• Browdy, C.L., Seaborn, G., Atwood, H., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Samocha, T.M., Wirth, Ed and Leffler, J.W. 2007. Comparison of pond production efficiency, fatty acid profiles and Contaminants in Litopenaeus vannamei fed organic plant-based and fishmeal based diets. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 116.
• Browdy, C.L., Atwood, H., McAbee, B., Leffler, J., Stokes, A.D., Samocha, T.M., Losordo, T., Hanson, T.R. and Posadas, B,C. 2007. Research and development of sustainable super-intensive shrimp Production systems: perspectives on commercialization potential for us growers. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 117.
• Hasson, K.W., Varner, P.W., Fan, Y.P., Cowley, J.A., Parr, R., Payne, H.R., Armstrong, C., Gandy, R.L. and Samocha, T.M. 2007. Disease challenges facing the new U.S. bait shrimp farming industry. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 396.
• Lawrence, A.L., Samocha, T.M., Castille, F.L. and Patnaik, S. 2007. Recent results from research conducted with the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 505.
• Morris, T.C., Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Patnaik, S., Yiu, Y., Austin, J.J., Fox, J.M. and Almeida, R.V. 2007. Optimization of cholesterol levels and evaluation of potential use of phytosterol as a cholesterol substitute in plant-based, fishmeal-free practical diets for Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 631.
• Morris, T.C., Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Patnaik, S., Yiu, Y., Austin, J.J., Fox, J.M. and Almeida, R.V. 2007. Comparison of grape extract and squid liver meal as potential Attractants in plant-based, fishmeal-free practical feeds for Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture 2007, Science for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 26-March 2, 2007. San Antonio Convention Center, San Antonio, TX. p. 632.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
A federal initiative request for funding for $750K/y for 5 y to develop the live bait shrimp farming industry (LBSFI) in Texas was approved by TAES for submission to federal agencies for the 2nd y. A 2-y multi-state grant to develop pathogen-viral-free breeding populations of native species for the LBSFI was approved. Studies are scheduled to start early spring 07. Studies with Litopenaeus vannamei continued to focus on development of sustainable, cost-effective & biosecure production practices. A nursery trial in Rws system showed that carbon supplementation to culture medium under limited water discharge didn't improve shrimp performance or water quality. Grow-out studies were conducted in 4 ponds (2000 m2/m3), 24 tanks (10.5 m2; 7.8 m3) in chlorinated seawater & in 6 Rws (40 m3; 68.5 m2) with water used previously for nursery. Ponds' & tks' grow-out trials evaluated the beneficial effect of commercial probiotic on shrimp health, growth, yield & WQ. Rws trial evaluated the feasibility of using the nursery Rw system for production of marketable size shrimp under high density & limited discharge. Two ponds stocked at 83/m3 while the other 2 were stocked at 51/m3, Tks were stocked at 91/m3 & Rws were stocked at 279/m3. Shrimp in Rws were fed a 35% special diet donated by Zeigler Bros. (Gardners, PA). Shrimp in ponds & Tks were fed 35% commercial diet (Rangen Inc. Buhl, ID). Water in one pond in each density received regular applications of three probiotics. In addition to the use of nitrifying bacteria concentrates, Tks received the same probiotic used for the ponds but at different levels that were added to both the culture medium and the feed. No significant differences were found in WQ between treated and untreated ponds and Tks. Shrimp survival in the high & low-density treated ponds were 38.9 & 38.7%, respectively compare to the 44.8 & 61.% for the high & low-density control ponds, respectively. Survival in all Tks were high (70-92%) with good yields (1.3-1.5 kg/m3) & final weights (16.7-18.2 g) with no significant differences between control & probiotic treated Tks. The probiotic tested didn't improve shrimp performance nor prevented the losses to Vibrio infections under the conditions of these studies. The pond results suggest that more research is needed to identify cost-effective methods to reduce crop losses to bacterial infections. Results from the grow-out Rws trial showed that the nursery system can be used to raise marketable size shrimp (15.9-17.4 g) with high survival (80-96%) and good yield (3.8-4.3 kg/m3) with low FCR (1.3-1.4) and low water renewal (0.5-1.4%/d) while using the same water used for the nursery study. Future studies will evaluate the feasibility of increasing yield while reducing operational costs of this system. Studies were also conducted in another small Tks (84 Tks each 0.65 m3) system with L. vannamei juveniles to demonstrate a successful replacement of marine fish meal and oil by soybean meal and HUFA from non marine sources in practical diets for this species.

Impacts
US shrimp farming industry requires annotative tools to economically produce shrimp in limited discharge systems with minimal negative impact on receiving streams. The tests at TAES facility, Corpus Christi improved our knowledge regarding alternative production systems, optimization of diet formulations, and emphasized the need to develop production methods which are cost-effective, biosecure and sustainable.

Publications

• Ayub, Z., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Harisanto, M., Burger, J.M., Almeida, R.V. and Brock, D.L. 2006. The effect of different aeration devices on dissolved oxygen levels in shrimp ponds operated with limited discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Burger, J.M., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Almeida, R.V., Ayub, Z., Harisanto, M. and Brock, D.L. 2006. Intensive nursery culture of the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under biosecure and limited discharge conditions in greenhouse-enclosed raceways. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Patnaik, S., Samocha, T.M. and Horowitz, A. 2006. Preliminary studies on ammonium and nitrite reduction dynamics in water from shrimp tanks operated under limited discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Atwood, H.L., Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M., Bullis, R.A., Stokes, A.D. and Browdy, C.L. 2006. Development of alternative feeds for intensive pond production of Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Browdy, C.L., Atwood, H., Stokes, A.D., Wasilesky, W., Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M. and Bullis, R.A. 2006. Evaluation of fishmeal free diets for intensive and super-intensive culture of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei: Practical pond trials and application of new experimental systems. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Samocha, T.M. Patnaik, S., Burger, J.M., Almeida, R.V., Ali, A.M., Ayub, Z. Harisanto, M., Horowitz, A. and Brock, D.L. 2006. Effect of high and low-protein diets (30
• Browdy, C.L., Seaborn, G., Atwood, H., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A., Samocha, T.M., Wirth, E. and Leffler, J.W. 2006. Comparison of Pond Production Efficiency, Fatty Acid Profiles and Contaminants in Litopenaeus vannamei fed Organic Plant-based and Fishmeal-based Diets. Journal of World Aquaculture Society 37(4):437-451.
• Patnaik, S, Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A., Bullis, R.A. and Browdy, C.L. 2006. The use of algal meals as highly unsaturated fatty acid sources in practical diets designed for Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture Nutrition 12:395-401.
• Fox, J. M., A. L. Lawrence, A. J. Siccardi III, D. A. Davis, D. Ricque-Marie, E. Cruz-Suarez and T. M. Samocha 2006. Phytase supplementation in aquaculture diets improves fish, shrimp growth performance. Global Aquaculture Advocate. 9(1):64-66.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S. and Harisanto, M. 2005. Use of aspirator-type and paddlewheel aerators in membrane-lined shrimp ponds operated under limited discharge. World Aquaculture 36(4):46-51.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Speed, M., Ali, A.M., Mishra, J.K. and Burger, J.M. 2006. Use of recirculating technologies for nursery production of penaeid shrimp. Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture. July 21 - 23, 2006, Roanoke, Virginia. Invited Speaker. 48-56.
• Samocha, T.M. 2006. Principals of recirculating aquaculture systems. An abstract of a paper presented at Acui-06 Conferences at the II International Aquaculture Exhibition, September 5 - 7, 2006, Vilagarcia de Arousa, Galicia, Spain.
• Bullis, R.A., Davis, D.A. and Samocha, T.M. 2006. Recent advances in nutrition for better fish and shrimp health. An abstract of a paper presented at the Sixth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture. July 21 - 23, 2006, Roanoke, Virginia.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Speed, M., Ali, A.M., Mishra, J.K. and Burger, J.M. 2006. Use of recirculating technologies for nursery production of penaeid shrimp. An abstract of a paper presented at the Sixth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture. July 21 - 23, 2006, Roanoke, Virginia.
• Samocha, T.M. 2006. The joint research programs between the TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas and NFRDI, Korea. An abstract of a paper presented at The 3rd Korea-U.S. Joint Coordination Meeting for Aquaculture Cooperation. February 24, 2006, Busan, Korea.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Burger, J.M., Almeida, R.V., Ali, A.M., Ayub, Z., Harisanto, M., Hrowitz, A. and Brock, D.L. 2006. Use of molasses as carbon source in limited discharge grow-out systems for Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Lawrence, A.L., Samocha, T.M., Castille, F.L., Bray, W.A. and Fox, J.M. 2006. Review of Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System U.S.D.A. Marine Shrimp Farm Program, 2005. An abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2006, February 13-16, 2006. Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.
• Patnaik, S., Samocha, T.M., Ayub, Z., Burger, J.M., Harisanto, M., Almeida, R.V., Ali, A.M., Horowitz, A. and Brock, D.L. 2006. Effect of a commercial diet with 30

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
A federal initiative request for funding for $750,000/y for 5 y to develop the live bait shrimp farming industry in Texas was approved by TAES for submission to federal agencies. Studies with Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei focused on development of sustainable biosecure production practices. Two nursery trials were conducted in newly renovated RWS with new roofing. High water temp. and light intensity (35,000 lux) during the 1st trial resulted in poor survival in all six RWs. Better survival (99.8%) was obtained in the 2nd trial after reducing water temp. & light intensity (1,000 lux). However, PL mortality and stress induced during shipping, resulted in inconsistent results. Plans are underway to avoid high water temperatures and high light intensity in the studies planned for 2006. Grow-out studies were conducted in 4 ponds (2000-m2/m3) and in 24 tanks (10.5-m2; 7-m3) to evaluated the effect of diets and aeration-type on shrimp and selected WQ indicators under limited discharge. Two ponds were stocked at 62/m2 while the other 2 ponds were stocked at 22/m2. Tanks were stocked at 75/m3. Shrimp in all ponds and in 20 tanks were fed 30%-Eco diet while shrimp in 4 tanks were fed 45% CP diet which was offered at iso-nitrogenous basis to the low-protein diet. Carbon in the form of molasses was added to two ponds and to 20 tanks at different levels to evaluate if this supplementation improves WQ and shrimp performance under limited discharge. Preliminary data from the tanks suggest no statistically significant differences between treatments in daily and weekly WQ, survival, FCR and yields. Shrimp fed the high-protein diet, had significantly lower mean final weight than all other treatments. Carbon supplementation had no statistically significant effect on shrimp performance. Shortly after stocking bacterial infection by Vibrio harveyi was found in all 4 ponds which was associated with lingering mortality. Survival in the high-density was 25 and 45% with 37 and 45% in the low-density ponds. The pond results suggest that more research efforts should be placed on testing cost-effective method to reduce crop losses to bacterial infections. In another small scale nutrition study with juveniles of the Pacific white shrimp we have demonstrated the feasibility of using poultry by products or algal meal & algal oil to replace fishmeal & fish oil in shrimp diet.

Impacts
The US shrimp farming industry requires annotative tools to economically produce shrimp in limited discharge systems with minimal negative impact on receiving streams. The tests conducted at TAES facility, Corpus Christi improved our knowledge regarding diet formulations, and stressed the need to develop production methods which are cost-effective, biosecure and sustainable.

Publications

• Mishra, J.K., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R.L., Harisanto, M., Mott, J.B., Branecky, C.A., Lawrence, A.L. 2005. Intensive nursery culture of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, under biosecured and limited discharged in greenhouse-enclosed raceways. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Gandy, R.L. and Samocha, T.M. 2005. Summary of bait shrimp research activities at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Samocha, T.M. 2005. Overview of intensive production systems for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, Concepts in intensive nursery techniques under biosecure and limited discharge conditions and Super intensive bio-secure production systems for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei with limited discharge. Presentation given at the Regional Animal Production Courses. June 6-10, 2005, Monterrey, Mexico.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Harisanto, M., Mishra, J. and Burger, J.M. 2005. Use of aspirator-type and paddlewheel aerators in production of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in outdoor lined ponds under limited discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, May 9-13, 2005, Bali, Indonesia.
• Bullis, R.A., Davis, A.D., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Browdy, C.L., Stokes, A.D. and Atwood, H. 2005. The use of algal meals for fishmeal and fish oil replacement. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, May 9-13, 2005, Bali, Indonesia.
• Fox, J.M., Lawrence, A.L., Davis, A.D., Ricque-Marie, D. Cruz-Suarez, E., Siccardi III, A.J. and Samocha, T.M. 2005. Current status of phytase research on marine penaeid shrimp. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, May 9-13, 2005, Bali, Indonesia.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S. and Gandy, R.L. 2005. Intensive production systems for Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Mishra, J.K. and Harisanto, M. 2005. Summary of the research activities at the TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi. A paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Aquaculture Association, February 8-10, 2005, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S. and Harisanto, M. 2005. Oxygenation performance of AireO2 and paddlewheel aerators in lined shrimp ponds operated under limited discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Ali, A.M., Harisanto, M. and Mishra, J.K. 2005. The effect of different synthetic polymer liners on growth, survival and selected water quality indicators in tank-system stocked with Litopenaeus vannamei in low salinity water under limited discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Patnaik, S., Samocha, T.M., Mishra, J.K., Brock, D.L., Harisanto, M., Lawrence, A.L., Mott, J.B., Branecky, C.A. and Fox, J.M. 2005. Effect of three commercial shrimp diets (30 pct -eco, 31 pct and 41 pct crude protein) on selected water quality indicators and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in membrane-lined ponds. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Mishra, J.K., Brock, D.L., Harisanto, M., Lawrence, A.L., Mott, J.B., Branecky, C.A. and Fox, J.M. 2005. Effect of four commercial diets (30 pct -eco, 35 pct -eco, 31 pct and 41 pct crude protein) on selected water quality indicators and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in bare bottom tanks. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Bullis, R.A., Davis, D.A, Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S. Browdy, C.L., Stokes, A.D. and Atwood H.L. 2005. Organic strategies for fishmeal and fish oil replacement. An abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Bullis, R.A., Davis, D.A, Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S. Browdy, C.L., Stokes, A.D. and Atwood H.L. 2005. Non-marine-based strategies for fishmeal and fish oil replacement. An abstract of paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA.
• Mishra, K.J., Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R.L., Harisanto, M., Mott, J.B., Branecky, C.A., Fox, J.M., Lawrence, A.L. 2005. Application of biosecurity and limited discharged nursery practices for the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei - towards sustainabile shrimp culture. An abstract of a poster presented at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Ag. Conference January 10-13, 2005, College Station, TX.
• Samocha, T.M. 2005. Development of marine fish meal and fish oil replacement diets for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the International symposium on the present status of nutrition research and the future of aquaculture feed in Korea. August, 12, 2005, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Busan, Korea.
• Samocha, T.M. 2005. Super intensive shrimp production technologies for nursery and grow-out of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of the paper presented at the 1st Korea-U.S. seminar and workshop on sustainable marine shrimp culture challenges and opportunities for the future of marine shrimp farming. August 8-12, 2005, Incheon, Korea.
• Robinson, C.B., Samocha, T.M., Fox, J.M., Gandy, R.L. and McKee D.A. 2005. The use of inert artificial commercial food sources as replacements of traditional live food items in the culture of larval shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus. Aquaculture 245:135-147.
• Cohen, J. Samocha, T.M., Fox, J.M. and Lawrence, A.L. 2005. Biosecured production of juvenile Pacific white shrimp in an intensive raceway system with limited water discharge. Aquacultural Engineering 32(3-4):425-442.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L., Collins, C.A., Castille, F.L., Bray, W.A., Davies, C.J., Lee, P.G. and Wood, G.F. 2004. Production of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in high-density greenhouse-enclosed raceways using low salinity groundwater. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 15 (3/4):1-19.
• Davis, D.L., Samocha, T.M and Boyd, C.E. 2004. Acclimation and stocking of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, to inland low salinity waters. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Fact Sheets. SRAC Publication No. 2601.
• Samocha, T.M., Lopez, I.M., Jones, E.R. Jackson, S., Lawrence, A.L. and Sharma, V.K. 2004. Characterization of shrimp farms' effluent water and the effect on receiving water. Aquaculture Research 35:321-339.
• Samocha, T.M., Davis, D.A., Saoud, I.P. and DeBault, K. 2004. Substitution of fish meal by co-extruded soybean poultry by-product meal in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture 231(1-4):197-203.
• Horowitz, A., Horowitz, S. and Samocha, T.M. 2005. Microbial testing identifies potential toxicity in polymer liners, biofilter material. Global Aquaculture Advocate 8(2):71-72.
• Davis, D.A., Samocha, T.M. and Bullis, R.A. 2005. Feed Ingredients - Working towards the removal of marine ingredients in aquafeeds. International AQUAFEED 8(1):8-11.
• Samocha, T.M., Patnaik, S., Ali, A.M., Harisanto, M., Mishra, J.K., Burger, J.M., Almeida, R.V. 2005. Summary of recent studies conducted at the TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas. Coastal Bend Coordinated Agricultural Research and Extension Seminar, October 31 and November 1, 2005. Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Limited fund prevented work with native species during the last year. Studies with Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei focused on development of sustainable biosecure production practices. Nursery of PL6 was conducted in four greenhouse-enclosed 45 m3 RWS. Water chlorinated (10 ppm), inoculated with diatoms (40K) and stocked at 3.6 PL/L. DO, pH, sal. temp. twice/d. NH4-N (0-27 mg/L), NO2-N (0-21 mg/L), NO3-N (1-18 mg/L), cBOD5 (2-123 mg/L), COD (14-2,549 mg/L), RP (0.1-14.9 mg/L), SS (0-19 mL/L), NTU (7-73), algae (40-1040K c/ml), all monitored once/wk. Two RWS operated with foam fractionation (FF) at 2.9% exchange/d vs two with 8.2%/d and no FF. Mean weight after 71 d: 1.9, 2 g, survival: 92.4, 100%; yields: 6.1, 6.8 kg/m3, FCR: 1.1, 1 for the low water exchange RWS vs mean weight of: 1.4, 1.7 g, survival: 55.9, 81.8%; yields: 3.5, 4.2 kg/m3 and FCR: 1.6, 1.4 in the other two RWS. Shrimp health in the low water exchange RWS was far better than in the other two RWS. Results suggest better shrimp performance under limited water exchange. Grow-out evaluated the effect of diets and aeration type on shrimp and WQ under limited discharge. Shrimp raised in four lined ponds (P1, P2, P3, P4) each with 2,000 m3/m2 at density of 61-62/m2 and in twenty-three 6.8 m3 (10.5 m2) tanks (TKS) at stocking density of 75/m3. P1 and 6 TKS (T1) were fed 31% diet, P2 and 6 TKS (T2) were fed a 41% diet offered at iso-nitrogenous basis. P3, P4 and 6 TKS (T3) were fed 30% diet with reduced fishmeal level. Another 5 TKS (T4) fed 35% diet also with lower fishmeal. Ponds aeration: paddlewheel (PW) and aspirator (AS) at 20-60 hp/ha in P1 and P2. P3: four-2 hp AS type, P4: four 2 hp PW. Each TK had 10 airstones. Water chlorination and monitoring as listed above. Statistical Analyses: Independent Student T Test for ponds weekly and daily WQ; Repeated Measures ANOVA followed by SNK for TKS. Shrimp performance in TKS: one way ANOVA. Water exchange in ponds 0.11-0.15%/d. No sadistically significant differences (NSSD) in daily WQ between P1 and P2 or P3 and P4. NO2-N and NO3-N in P1 > P2, SS in P1 < P2. NO2-N and TSS in P3 < P4; NH4-N in P3 > P4. No other SSD in daily and wkly WQ. Ponds harvested after 131 d with survival of: 54.2, 78.8, 73.1 and 70.3%; mean weight: 18.7, 17.7, 19.7 and 18.6 g, biomassload: 0.55, 0.83, 0.89 and 0.78 kg/m3, FCR: 2.78, 1.6, 1.95 and 2.14 for ponds 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. TKS were kept with limited discharge (0.9% exchange/d). NSSD in daily WQ except for AM and PM pH where T3 < T2; RP: T2 < T1 and T4 < T3; NO3-N: T3<T4; NTU: T2<T1; Algae: T2< T4. No other SSD were found between treatments in wkly WQ. TKS were harvested after 152 d with the following results for treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively: Survival: 87.1, 85.1, 84.2 and 83.3% (NSSD between treatments); mean weights: 22.2 g (SSD, > T2, T3, T4), 18.6 g (SSD, T2 < T3 and T4), 20.5 g and 20.8 g; FCR: 1.81, 1.66, 2 and 2 (NSSD between treatments); yields: 9.84 (SSD, >T2, T3, T4), 8.05, 8.78 and 8.85 kg/tk.

Impacts
The US shrimp farming industry requires annotative tools to economically produce shrimp with limited discharge and minimal negative impact on receiving streams. The test conducted at TAES facility in Corpus Christi improved our knowledge regarding the development of cost-effective, biosecure and sustainable methods to minimize crop losses to disease outbreaks and to reduce negative environmental impact.

Publications

• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2004. Current status of bait shrimp research at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station-Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, TX. Industry Briefs 10(4):1, 6-7.
• Handy, M., Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R. L. and McKee, D. A. 2004. Nursery trial compares filtration system performance in intensive raceways. Global Aquaculture Advocate 7(4):77-79.
• Davis. D. A., Samocha, T. M., Bullis, R. A., Patnaik, S., Browdy, C. L., Stokes, A. D. and Atwood, H. L. 2004. Practical diets for Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931): Working towards organic and/or all plant production diets. Proceedings of the VII Symposium, Internatcional de Nutricion Acuicola, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, November 16-19, 2004.
• Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S. and Gandy, R. L. 2004. Heterotrophic intensification of pond shrimp production. Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture. July 22 - 25, 2004, Roanoke, Virginia.
• Samocha, T. M., Browdy, C. L., Patnaik, S. and Gandy, R. L. 2004. Intensive production systems for Litopenaeus vannamei. An abstract of a paper presented at the International Intensive Shrimp Culture Symposium of Belize, Hotel and Casino Princess, Belize City, Belize. November 3-5, 2004.
• Browdy, C. L., Samocha, T. M., Stokes, A. D. and Atwood, H. L. 2004. Advances in the manipulation and control of microbial communities for more sustainable and profitable shrimp production systems. An abstract of a paper presented at the International Intensive Shrimp Culture Symposium of Belize, Hotel and Casino Princess, Belize City, Belize. November 3-5, 2004.
• Mogollon, J. M. Samocha, T. M. McMahon, D. Z. and De Micco, E. 2004. Fully integrated closed-cycle intensive culture of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in an inland shrimp farm (Oceanboy Farms Inc.) in Florida, USA, utilizing very low-salinity ground water and zero discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the International Intensive Shrimp Culture Symposium of Belize, Hotel and Casino Princess, Belize City, November 3-5, 2004.
• Mishra, J. K., Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R. L., Harisanto, M., Mott, J. B., Bransky, C. A., Fox, J. M. and Lawrence, A. L. 2004. Application of biosecurity and limited discharged nursery rearing practices for the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei - progress towards sustainability. Abstract of a poster presented at the 2nd Annual Texas A&M University System - Pathways Research Symposium, October 15-16, 2004, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S. and Gandy, R. L. 2004. Heterotrophic intensification of pond shrimp production. An abstract of a paper presented at the Fifth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture. July 22 - 25, 2004, Roanoke, Virginia. Invited Speaker.
• Bullis, R. A., Browdy, C. L., Davis, D. A., Samocha, T. M. and Stokes, A. D. 2004. An abstract of a paper presented at the Organic Aquaculture & Sea Farming 2004 Conference, 15-17 June 2004, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A., Mogollon, M., Demicco, E. 2004. Density vs. growth in outdoor production ponds culturing Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei within an inland shrimp farm in Florida USA: Utilizing very low-salinity ground water and zero discharge. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S., Horowitz, A. and Horowitz, S. 2004. The effect of different synthetic polymer liners on growth, survival and selected water quality indicators in tank-system stocked with Litopenaeus vannamei under limited discharge and in the presence of natural productivity. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R. L., Brock, D. L. and Lawrence A. L. 2004. A comparison of two commercial diets with 30 pct and 35 pct crude protein for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in membrane-lined ponds. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R. L., Brock, D. L. and Lawrence A. L. 2004. A comparison of two commercial diets (30 pct and 35 pct crude protein) for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in bare bottom tanks. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2004. Potential of farm raised bait shrimp to bring new revenues to Texas shrimp farms. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Gandy, R. L., Samocha, T. M., Masser, M. P., Gatlin III, D. M., Fox, J. M., Ali, A. M. S. and Speed, M. F. 2004. Production of Farfantepenaeus aztecus postlarvae under closed recirculating and multiple water reuse conditions. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Horowitz, A., Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S. and Horowitz, S. 2004. A microbial-based toxicity test for synthetic polymers of potential use in aquaculture. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Bullis, R. A., Davis, D. A., Samocha, T. M. and Patnaik, S. 2004. Organic strategies for fishmeal and fish oil replacement. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Handy, M., Samocha, T. M., Patnaik, S., Gandy, R. L., Robinson, R. and McKee, D. A. 2004. Intensive nursery of Litopenaeus vannamei with limited discharge using three methods for particulate matter removal. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Siccardi III, A. J., Fox, J. M. Lawrence, A. L., Samocha, T. M. and Davis, D. A. 2004. Effect of phytase on phosphorus digestibility and growth of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, fed phosphorus limited feeds. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• McMahon, D. Z., Laramore, R., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A., Mogollon, M., Demicco, E. 2004. Growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei fed varying levels of dietary cholesterol, replacement sterols and grapeseed oil. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A., Mogollon, M. 2004. Production results from phase III development of the first commercial scale inland shrimp farm in Florida, USA: Culturing Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei utilizing very low-salinity ground water. An abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, March 1-5, 2004, Honolulu, HI.
• Gandy, R. L., Samocha, T. M. and Masser, M. P. 2003. Progress in the research and development of the Texas farm-raised live bait shrimp industry. An abstract of a paper presented at the Sea Grant Research Conference, Texas Sea Grant College Program, September 25-26, 2003, College Station, TX.

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Studies with Pacific white and Atlantic brown shrimp to develop sustainable, cost-effective biosecure production practices. Pacific white nursery with PL6 in 3 45 m3 RW's. Water chlorinated (10 ppm), stocking was 3.8-6.5/L. DO, pH, sal. temp.: 2/d. NH3, NO2, NO3, 1/wk (0.27-22.64; 010-29.00, 2.22-74.42 mg/L, respectively). Culture water treated by bead filter, rapid sandfilter, foam fractionation in RW 1, 2, 3, respectively. Av. wt. after 74 d: 0.65; 0.85, 0.69 g, sur.: 96.3; 100.1, 97.8%, yield: 2.42; 5.26, 3.18 kg/m3, FCR: 1.7; 1.09, 1.5; water exch.: 1.35; 0.47, 2.06%/d, respectively. Growout evaluated the effect of diets on shrimp and WQ with limited discharge. Shrimp raised in 2 lined ponds and 12 6.8 m3 tks (75/m3). 1 pond and 6 tks were fed 30% CP diet (LP) while shrimp in 2nd pond and 6 tks were fed a 36% CP diet (HP). HP feed was fed on isonitrogenous basis to the LP. Ponds' aeration: paddlewheel ann aspirator type aerators (20-60 HP/ha), tks: 10 airstones/tk. Water treated as described. DO, pH, sal. temp. checked 2/d. NH3, NO2, NO3, cBOD5, TSS, VSS, reactive P, settleable solids: 1/wk. Ponds harvested after 130 d with 69.0 and 55.1% sur., av. wt.: 15.8 and 16.5 g, yield: 0.8 and 0.67 kg/m3, FCR: 1.88 and 2.58 for the HP and LP ponds, respectively. Ponds received about 0.6% of the total volume per day in rains and freshwater. About 0.2%/d of the ponds' volume was drained. cBOD5 n NH3 in the HP pond were significantly lower than the LP pond while the opposite was true for NO2. No other differences were found between ponds in weekly and daily WQ indicators. Tks harvested after 118 d with 87.7 and 95.4% sur. (no difference-ND), av. wt. of 16.7 and 16.0 (ND), FCR of 1.83 and 1.66 (stat. diff.) for the LP and HP treatments, respectively. Tks were kept with limited discharge (0.9% of the total volume/d). RP, NO3 and VSS levels in the LP tks were significantly higher than the HP treatment tks. No other differences were found in daily and other wkly WQ between the two treatments. Research with native species was supported with funds from USDA SBIR and Lone Star Farm. F1 viral-pathogen-free broodstock population of the brown shrimp was produced and currently induced to provide the F2 generation. A small scale closed recirculating larval rearing system was used to produce PL's. Results from these test are currently summarized.

Impacts
The shrimp farming industry requires new management tools to enable production with limited discharge and minimal negative impact on receiving streams. The test conducted at the facility improved our knowledge regarding the development of cost-effective, biosecure and sustainable production methods to minimize crop losses to disease outbreaks and to reduce negative environmental impact.

Publications

• Fox, J. M., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L. and McKee D. A. 2003. Production challenge: aquaculture commercialization of endemic penaeid shrimp species. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21.
• Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Ali, A. M., Siccardi III, A. J., Fricker, J. T. and Lawrence, A. L. 2003. Summary of the research activities at the TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi. Paper presented at the Texas Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting, January 21-24, 2003. Bay City Civic Center, Bay City, Texas. Invited Speaker.
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2003. Update on native live bait shrimp production in Texas and planned commercial applications. Paper presented at the Texas Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting, January 21-24, 2003. Bay City Civic Center, Bay City, Texas.
• Fricker, J. T., Samocha, T. M., Ali, A. M., Fox, J. M., Siccardi III, A. J., and Lehman, R. L. 2003. A comparison of nutrient removal effectiveness of Ulva fasciata and Gracilaria tikvahiae in an intensive Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp production system with limited discharge. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Mogollon, M., DeMicco, E., Medina, L. and Garcia, D. 2003. Production results from phase ii development of a commercial scale inland shrimp farm in Florida, USA. culturing the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei utilizing ground water with salinity of 2 ppt. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21.
• Siccardi III, A. J., Samocha, T. M., Ali, A. M., Lawrence, A. L., Jones, E. R., Fricker, J. T. and Martinez, C. 2002. A comparison of two commercial diets with 32 pct and 41 pct crude protein for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in membrane-lined ponds and bare bottom tanks. Abstract of a paper presented at the Tenth Annual Coastal Bend Environmental Conference 2002: Partnership for Sustainability." October 30-November 1, 2002. Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX.
• Samocha, T. M., Lopez, I. M., Jones, E. R. Jackson, S., Lawrence, A. L. and Sharma, V. K. 2003. Characterization of shrimp farms effluent water and the effect on receiving water. Aquaculture Research. In Press.
• Samocha, T. M., Davies, D. A., Saoud, I. P. and DeBault, K. 2003. Substitution of fish meal by co-extruded soybean poultry by-product meal in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture. In Press.
• Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L., Collins, C. A., Castille, F. L., Bray, W. A., Davies, C. J., Lee, P. G. and Wood, G. F. 2003. Production of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in high-density greenhouse-enclosed raceways using low salinity groundwater. Journal of Applied Aquaculture. In Press.
• Gandy, R. L., Samocha, T. M., Masser, M. P., Fox, J. M., Ali, A. M., Gatlin III, D. M. and Speed, M. 2003. Reproductive Performance of the Native Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus and F. duorarum in a Closed Recirculating Maturation System. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21, 2003.
• Davis, D. L., Samocha, T. M and Boyd, C. E. 2003. Acclimation and stocking of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, to inland low salinity waters. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Fact Sheets. In Press.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. TAES Juvenile Shrimp Break Records in Limited Discharge Production. Industry Briefs 9(3):3.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. The roll of specific-pathogen-free seedstock, biosecurity and sustainability in commercial shrimp farming. Korean Aquaculture, 15(167):56 (in Korean).
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2003. Reproductive Performance of Gulf brown shrimp in a closed recirculating system. Hatchery International March/April:28-29.
• Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., McMahon, D. Z., Mogollon, M., Smiley, R. A., Blacher, T. S., de Wind, A., Figueras, E. and Velasco, M. 2003. The role of shrimp nursery systems to improve production efficiency of shrimp farms. In: D. E. Jory, ed. Responsible Aquaculture for a Secure Future: Proceedings of a Special Session on Shrimp Farming. World Aquaculture 2003. The World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803. United States.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. 1. Use of high-density biosecure limited-discharge management for nursery of the Pacific white shrimp in greenhouse-enclosed raceways; 2. Use of closed recirculating system for induced maturation of penaeid shrimp. A faculty seminar, West Sea Research Institute, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute (NFRDI), Taean Marine Hatchery, Korea. July 17, 2003.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. Overview of sustainable shrimp culture practices in the U.S. Departmental seminar at the Department of Aquaculture, NFRDI, Korea. July 20, 2003.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. New concepts in shrimp farming. A guest-lecture via a video teleconference to extension personnel and shrimp producers. NFRDI, Korea. July 20, 2003.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. Development of sustainable shrimp farming with limited discharge. A faculty seminar, West Sea Research Institute, NFRDI, Incheon, Korea. July 28, 2003.
• Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., McMahon, D. Z., Mogollon, M., Smiley, R. A., Blacher, T. S., de Wind, A., Figueras, E. and Velasco, M. 2003. The role of shrimp nursery systems to improve production efficiency of shrimp farms. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the World Aquaculture Society meeting in Salvador, Brazil. May 19-23.
• Samocha, T. M. 2003. Production of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in commercial and experimental systems with limited water discharge using diets with different levels of crude protein. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the World Aquaculture Society meeting in Salvador, Brazil. May 19-23.
• Gandy, R. L., Samocha, T. M., Masser, M. P., Fox, J. M., Ali, A. M., Gatlin III, D. M. and Speed, M. 2003. Closed Recirculating Larval Rearing for the Production of Farfantepenaeus aztecus Post-larvae. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21, 2003.
• Siccardi III, A. J., Samocha, T. M., Ali, A. M., Lawrence, A. L., Jones, E. R., Martinez, C. and Fricker, J. T. 2003. A comparison of two commercial diets (32 pct and 41 pct crude protein) and one research diet (37 pct crude protein) for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in bare bottom tanks. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21.
• Siccardi III, A. J., Samocha, T. M., Ali, A. M., Lawrence, A. L., Jones, E. R., Fricker, J. T. and Martinez, C. 2003. A comparison of two commercial diets with 32 pct and 41 pct crude protein for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange in membrane-lined ponds. Abstract of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture America Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. February 18-21.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Studies conducted with Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white), Farfantepenaeus aztecus (Atlantic brown) and F. duorarum (Atlantic pink) to develop sustainable, cost-effective and biosecured shrimp practices. Nursery with L. vannamei with PL10 in two 68.5 m2 (45 m3) raceways. Water chlorinated (10 ppm) before stocking (4.4 PL/L). DO, pH, sal. temp. were checked 2/d. NH3, NO2 and NO3, measured 1/wk, levels 0-1.88; 0-8.7 and 0-15.2 mg/L, respectively. Av. wt. after 83 d 1.69 and 0.73 g, survival 83% and 20%, yield 6.84 and 0.8 kg/m3, FCR 0.79 and 1.05 and water exchange of 14.3 and 7.3%/d for 1st and 2nd RW, respectively. Poor survival resulted algal toxicity. Grow-out evaluated the effect of diets and density on shrimp performance and WQ with no discharge. Shrimp stocked (42-43/m3 or 67-74/m2) in 2 HDPE-lined ponds and in 12 6.8 m3 tanks (50/m3). Shrimp in 1 ponds and 6 tanks were fed a 32% protein diet while those in another pond and 6 tanks were fed a 41% protein diet. To provide the same level of dietary protein, shrimp fed the high-protein diet received only 78.05% of the ration offered to the low-protein treatment. Ponds' aeration by paddlewheel and aspirator type aerators (10-30 HP/ha), tanks by airstones (10/tank). Water chlorinated before stocking (10 ppm). DO, pH, sal. temp. checked 2/d. NH3, NO2, NO3, cBOD5, TSS, VSS, reactive P (RP), and settleable solids (SS) measured 1/wk. Ponds harvested after 113 d with 61 and 74% survival, av. wt. 20.5 and 20.8 g, yield 0.45 and 0.66 kg/m3, FCR 3.0 and 1.8 with daily freshwater use of 1.0 and 0.57% of the ponds' volume for the low and high protein treatment, respectively. SS and TSS levels in 32% protein pond were significantly higher than those fed the 41% protein diet. No statistical differences were noted between daily and weekly WQ between the two diets. Tanks harvested after 101 d with 96 and 95.4% survival, av. wt. of 20.47 and 19.71 g, yield 1.03 and 0.94 kg/m3 and FCR 1.43 and 1.21, for the low and high protein treatment, respectively. RP levels in tanks fed the 32% protein diet were significantly higher than those fed the 41% protein diet. No significant difference was noted between the different diets for all other daily and weekly WQ. Only limited water was added/discharged from the system (0.54-0.74%/d). Research with native species was supported with funds from USDA SBIR and Lone Star Farm. Viral-pathogen-free broodstock populations of the brown and the pink shrimp were isolated from the wild. A closed recirculating maturation system was used to produce postlarvae (1st captive generation) of the brown and the pink shrimp. Current research efforts focus on the evaluation of closed recirculating system for the production of PL of these species.

Impacts
The shrimp farming industry requires new management tools to enable production with limited discharge and minimal negative impact on receiving streams. Development of cost-effective, biosecure and sustainable production methods will minimize losses to disease outbreaks and reduce negative environmental impact.

Publications

• Ritvo, G., Shitumbanuma, V. and Samocha, T. M. 2002. Changes in the concentration of nutrients and other chemical properties of shrimp pond soils as a function of pond use. Journal of World Aquaculture Society 33(3):233-243.
• Jory, D. E., McMahon, D., Baca, B., Reguzzoni, J., Samocha, T. M., Mogollon, M. and DeMico, E. 2002. Inland shrimp culture with zero water exchange ponds. Aquaculture Magazine 28(5):74-77.
• McMahon, D., Baca, B., Reguzzoni, J., Samocha, T. M., Mogollon, M. and DeMico, E. 2002. Ocean Boy Farms, Florida: Challenges of inland, freshwater production of shrimp. Global Aquaculture Advocate 5(3):50-51.
• Lawrence, A. L., Castille, F. L., Samocha, T. M. and Velasco, M. 2002. Environmentally friendly or least polluting feed and feed management for aquaculture. Panorama Acuicola 7(4):8-9.
• McMahon, D., Baca, B., Rogerson, A., Samocha, T. M. and Reguzzoni, J. 2002. Feed study tests vegetable replacements for marine ingredients. Global Aquaculture Advocate 5(2):36.
• McMahon, D. Baca, B. and Samocha T. M. 2001. Inland shrimp farming in Florida. Global Aquaculture Advocate. 4(5):66-68.
• Samocha, T. M. and Gandy, R. L. 2002. Use of recirculating systems for induced maturation, larval rearing, and nursery production of penaeid shrimp. Paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Recirculating Aquaculture, July 18-21, 2002. Roanoke, Virginia.
• Samocha, T.M. 2002. Research and development - TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas. Presentation at The 1st Korea-U.S. Joint Coordination Meeting for Aquaculture Cooperation. April 15-16, 2002, Busan, Korea. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M. 2002. Design, Management and use of raceway systems for nursery and grow-out of Litopenaeus vannamei. One day seminar to shrimp producers in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. February 18, 2002. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M. 2002. Management tools to minimize negative environmental impact by shrimp farming activities. Presentation at the University of Sonora, Department of Science and Technological Research (DICTUS). February 19, 2002.
• Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Roman, E. O., Robinson, C. B., Fricker, J. and Lawrence, A. L. 2002. Research and development update of shrimp research activities at the TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility in Corpus Christi. Paper presented at the Texas aquaculture Association Annual Meeting, February 12-15, 2002. Bay City Civic Center, Bay City, Texas.
• Roman, E. O., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L., Fox, J. M. and Siccardi III, A. J. 2002. Culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under limited water exchange using two commercial test diets with 25
• Bonnot, C. S., Fox, J. M., Mott, J. B., Samocha, T. M. and McKee, D.A. McKee. 2002. Depuration of Galveston bay oysters Crassostrea virginica against Vibrio vulnificus using probiotic bacteria: a semi-commercial evaluation. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• Robinson, C. B., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Lemmon, L. L. and Fox, J. M. 2002. Larval rearing of the brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, using complete and 50
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2002. The effect of sex ratio and diet on the reproductive performance of the gulf brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, in a closed recirculating maturation system. 2002. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2002. Live bait shrimp research - TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas. Abstract of a paper presented at the Sea Grant Research Conference, May 13, 2002, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
• Samocha, T. M. 2002. Inland shrimp production systems for Litopenaeus vannamei. Presentation in a seminar entitled: Aspectos importantes en el cultivo de camaron tierra adentro Centro de Servicio para la Acuicultura, May 9-10, 2002, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
• Davidson, J., Browdy, C. L., Samocha, T. M., Estrada, J. and Valcour, J. 2002. Risk factors influencing survival in ponds experiencing white spot syndrom virus (WSV) outbreaks in Ecuador. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, April 23-27, 2002. Beijing, China.
• Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., McMahon, D. Z., Blacher, T., Benner, R. A. and Lawrence A. L. 2002. Use of intensive nursery raceway system with limited water discharge to improve production of the Pacific white Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, April 23-27, 2002. Beijing, China.
• McMahon, Bart, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson and A. Reguzzoni, J. 2002. Comparative effects among dietary supplements during nursery phase for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae using low salinity ground water with zero water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, April 23-27, 2002. Beijing, China.
• McMahon, Bart, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A. Reguzzoni, J. and Mogollon, M. 2002. Modified feeding protocols for the inland culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in zero exchange, freshwater inland ponds. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, April 23-27, 2002. Beijing, China.
• McMahon, Bart, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A. Reguzzoni, J. and Mogollon, M. 2002. The development of the first commercial scale inland shrimp farm in Florida, USA. Cultureing Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) utilizing very low-salinity ground water and zero water exchange with vertically integrated hatchery and processing plant. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, April 23-27, 2002. Beijing, China.
• McMahon, Bart, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A. Reguzzoni, J. and Mogollon, M. 2002. Experiment of high density polyculture of Oreochromis niloticus and adult Litopenaeus vannamei in inland ponds with low salinity groundwater and zero discharge during winter months. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, April 23-27, 2002. Beijing, China.
• Samocha, T.M. 2002. Research and development - TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas. Presentation at Ocean University of Qingdao, Qingdao, China, April 23, 2002.
• Samocha, T.M. 2002. Research and development - TAES, Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility, Corpus Christi, Texas. Presentation at Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Qingdao, China, April 22, 2002.
• Lawrence, A. L., Castille, F. L., Samocha, T. M. and Nates, S. 2002. Effect of feed protein level and feed rate on growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei in outdoor tanks. Paper to be presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• Williams, K. R., Fox, J. M., Mott, J. B. and Samocha, T.M. 2002. Depuration of Galveston bay oysters Crassostrea virginica against vibrio vulnificus using probiotic bacteria: a preliminary investigation. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• Fox, J. M., McKee, D. A., Samocha, T. M., Vega R. and Francis, J. M. 2002. A USDA/Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi - sponsored program for enhancing minorities' interests in aquaculture. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• Dobbs, M., Fox, A. D., Samocha, T. M. and McKee, D. A. 2002. Spawning characteristics and evaluation of early larval rearing of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, fed live natural diets. Paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Messing, C., Rogerson, A. and Reguzzoni, J. 2002. Commercial density and feeding protocols for an inland intensive nursery system for Litopenaeus vannamei using low salinity ground water with zero water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Messing, C., Rogerson, A. and Reguzzoni, J. 2002. Density and feeding protocols for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in inland low-salinity ponds with zero water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Messing, C., Rogerson, A. and Reguzzoni, J. 2002. Protocols for high density polyculture of Oreochromis niloticus and Litopenaeus vannamei in inland ponds with low-salinity ground and zero discharge. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.
• McMahon, D. Z., Baca, B., Samocha, T. M., Rogerson, A. and Reguzzoni, J. 2002. Reduction of marine proteins of feeds used for marine shrimp culture in low salinity inland zero exchange ponds. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America 2002, January 27-30, 2002, San Diego, CA.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Studies with Litopenaeus vannamei and Farfantepenaeus aztecus to develop sustainable, cost effective and biosecured shrimp practices. Nursery with L. vannamei with PL10 in two 68.5 m2 (45 m3) RWs. Water chlorinated (10 ppm) before stocking (3.3/L). DO, pH, sal. temp. were checked 2/d. NH3, NO2, NO3, cBOD5, TSS, VSS, reactive P measured 1/wk, values: 0-1.6; 0-4.9; 0.1-35.8; 0.28-27.6; 48-340; 24-115 and 0.2-8.1 mg/L, respectively. Av. wt. after 62 d 1.35 and 2.65 g, survival 64.6% and 30.3%, yield 2.78 and 2.58 kg/m3 and FCR 0.86 and 0.78 for 1st and 2nd RW, respectively. The poor survival was a combination of bacterial disease and mechanical failure. Growout evaluated the effect of diets and density on shrimp performance and WQ with no discharge. Shrimp stocked (42-44/m2) in 2 1,700 m2 HDPE lined ponds and 12 10.5 m2 tanks. Shrimp in 1 ponds and 6 tanks were fed a 25% protein diet while those in another pond and 6 tanks were fed a 35% protein diet. To provide the same level of dietary protein, shrimp fed the high-protein diet received only 71.5% of the ration offered to the low-protein treatment. Aeration was provided by paddlewheel aerators for the ponds (up to 47 HP/ha) and airstones for tanks (10/tank). Water treatment and monitoring as for the nursery. Ponds harvested after 107 d with 79 and 74% survival, av. wt. 20.9 and 21.0 g, yield 0.73 and 0.68 kg/m2, FCR 1.91 and 1.42 with daily freshwater use of 1.04 and 0.79% of the ponds' volume for the low and high protein treatment, respectively. Tanks harvested after 93 d with 95 and 97% survival, av. wt. of 17.6 and 16.8 g, yield 0.67 and 0.66 kg/m2 and FCR 1.68 and 1.23 for the low and high protein treatment, respectively. Further data analyses will determine differences in WQ between diets. Research with native species was supported with fund from USDA. In May 2K TAES/Lone Star Farm (LSF) received a USDA SBIR Grant for $75K which served to develop a closed recirculating induced maturation system for the Gulf brown shrimp. After completing the Phase I objectives, the TAES/LSF project received the Phase II grant of $271K. A viral-pathogen-free broodstock population of the shrimp was isolated from the wild. A closed recirculating maturation system was built by LSF in early June 2K at the TAES, SMRF. The results suggest that wild populations of this species can be induced to mature and produce viable larvae in a completely closed recirculating system when females are unilaterally ablated and fed frozen food. The 1st study determined that low-cost frozen enriched adult Artemia can be used to replace high-cost bloodworms in shrimp diet with no adverse effect on the shrimp reproductive performance (RP). Another study showed that female-to-male ratio of 1:1 can be used without negative effect on the females' RP. Future studies will compare the RP of wild population to the 1st generation broodstock population (F1). A dependable and cost-effective method for the production of viral pathogen-free brown shrimp postlarvae was also developed. During the initial trials in 2K, survival to PL1 varied between 60 and 70%. Further studies established a more reliable PL's mass production method.

Impacts
Without adequate practices, shrimp farming can contribute to environmental degradation. Viral disease outbreaks severely affect shrimp production worldwide. The studies tested cost-effective, biosecured and sustainable technologies to produce live bait and food-size shrimp.

Publications

• Samocha, T.M., Davis, A.D. and Browdy, C.L. 2001. Status of world aquaculture with an emphasis on shrimp farming sustainability. International Symposium on Marine Fishery and Aquatic Product Processing Technology 2001, Rongcheng City, Shandong, China, September 11-13, 2001. Keynote Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M. 2001. Sustainable shrimp farming practices. Paper presented at the Sustainable shrimp production and environmental management conference on August 17-19, 2001, Nicoya, Costa Rica. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M. 2001. Sustainable commercial recirculating shrimp production systems. A seminar to the association of the shrimp producers in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. March 24, 2000. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M., Blacher, T., Cordova, J. and De Wind, A. 2000. "Produccion de Litopenaeus vannamei" en systemas "raceways." Panaorama Acuicola, Vol. 6(1):62-63.
• Samocha, T. M., Blacher, T., Cordova, J. and De Wind, A. 2000. Raceway nursery production increases shrimp survival and yields in Ecuador. Global Aquaculture Advocate, Vol. 3(6):66-68.
• Samocha, T. M. 2001. Review of some sustainable shrimp farming practices in the U.S. A review paper presented at the International Symposium on Marine Fishery and Aquatic Product Processing Technology 2001, Rongcheng City, Shandong, China, September 11-13, 2001. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M. 2001. Sustainable shrimp farming and live bait shrimp production in Texas. Paper presented at the Texas Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting, February 20-23, 2001. Bahia Mar Resort and Conference Center, South Padre Island, Texas.
• Cohen, J. M., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Zhang, S., Jones, E. R., Fox, J. M. and Lawrence, A. L. 2001. The effect of protein levels and feed rations on growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei under no discharge conditions. Paper presented at the Texas Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting, February 20-23, 2001. Bahia Mar Resort and Conference Center, South Padre Island, Texas.
• Fox, J. M., Williams, K. R., Mott, J. B., Samocha, T. M. and Bonnot, S. 2001. Gulf oyster industry initiative: Evaluation of probiotic bacteria in depuration of oysters against Vibrio vulnificus. Paper presented at the Texas Aquaculture Association Annual Meeting, February 20-23, 2001. Bahia Mar Resort and Conference Center, South Padre Island, Texas.
• Samocha, T. M., Davis, A. D., Lawrence, A. L., Collins, C. R. and Van Wyk, P. M. 2001. Intensive and super-intensive production of the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in greenhouse-enclosed raceway systems. A review paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L., Collins, C. R., Emberson, C. R., Harvin, J. L., Van Wyk, P. 2001. Development of integrated environmentally-sound inland shrimp production technologies for Litopenaeus vannamei. A review paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL. Invited Speaker.
• Hamper, L., Samocha, T. M., DeBault, K. and Ali, M. 2001. On the road to sustainable and cost-effective shrimp farming practices. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2001. The effect of blood worms and Artemia feeding on induced maturation and spawning of Farfantepenaeus aztecus in a closed recirculating system. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Cohen, J. M., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Jones, E. R., Fox, J. M. and Lawrence, A. L. 2001. The culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under bio-secured and zero exchange conditions. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Cohen, J. M., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Jones, E. R., Fox, J. M., Zhang, S. and Lawrence, A. L. 2001. The culture of Litopenaeus vannamei under bio-secured and zero exchange conditions using two commercial diets with 30 and 40 pct crude protein levels. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Samocha, T. M., Blacher, T., Cordova, J. and DeWind, A. 2001. Use of intensive nursery raceway system with limited water discharge to improve production of Litopenaeus vannamei in white spot infected area in Ecuador. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Lee, P. G., Zuercher, C., Davies, C., Lawrence, A. L., Samocha, T. M., Woods, G. and Turk, P. E. 2001. Biosecure, commercial, inland marine shrimp raceway production and environmentally isolated, SPF broodstock culture systems. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Lawrence, A. L., Castille, F. L., Samocha, T. M. and Velasco. M. 2001. "Environmentally friendly" or "least polluting" feed and feed management for aquaculture. A review paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Williams, K. R., Fox, J. M., Mott, J. B. and Samocha, T. M. 2001. Preliminary evaluation of the depuration of Galveston Bay oysters Crassostrea viginica against Vibrio vulnificus using probiotic bacteria: inherent variability of autochthonous levels. Paper presented at the Aquaculture 2001, Annual Meeting of World Aquaculture Society, January 21-25, 2001, Orlando, FL.
• Samocha, T.M. 2001. Acuacultura 2001, Biosecurity and sustainability - new horizons in shrimp cultivation. A two-day seminar organized by Acua Distribuciones, 15-16 January 2001, Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M., Blacher, T. and Estrada, E. 2000. High-density nursery of Litopenaeus vannamei in raceway system with limited water discharge in white spot infected area. Paper presented at the 4th Latin American Aquaculture Congress & Exhibition, October 25-28, 2000, ATLAPA Convention Center Panama City, Panama. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T. M., Hamper, L., Emberson, C. R., Davis, A. D., McIntosh, Lawrence, A. L. and Peter M. Van Wyk. 2001. Review of some recent developments in sustainable shrimp farming practices in Texas, Arizona and Florida. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 12(1): In Press.
• Gandy R., Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R., McKee, D. A. 2001. The Texas live bait-shrimp market. Journal of Shelfish Fisheries - In Press.
• McIntosh, D. Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R., Lawrence, A. L., Horowitz, S. and Horowitz, A. 2001. Effects of two commercially available low-protein diets (21 pct and 31 pct ) on water and sediment quality, and on the production of Litopenaeus vannamei in an outdoor tank system with limited water discharge. Aquacultural Engineering 25(2):69-82.
• Horowitz, A., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L. and Horowitz, S. 2001. Toxicity test to assess the effect of synthetic tank liner on shrimp survival and nitrification in a recirculating superintensive production system. Aquacultural Engineering 24:91-105.
• Kinne, P. N., Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R. and Browdy, L. C. 2000. Characterization of intensive shrimp pond effluent and preliminary studies on biofiltration. North American Journal of Aquaculture 63(1):25-33.
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2001. The reproductive performance of gulf brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus at two different sex ratios and frozen diets in a closed recirculating system. Global Aquaculture Advocate. In press.
• McMahon, D., Baca, B. and Samocha T.M. 2001. First commercial inland farm in Florida USA uses zero discharge in low-salinity ponds. Global Aquaculture Advocate 4(5):66-68.
• Gandy, R. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2001. Development of closed recirculating postlarvae production system for live bait shrimp in Texas. World Aquaculture Vol. 32(3):54-56.
• Samocha, T. M. and Benner, R. 2001. Use of intensive nursery systems in commercial shrimp production operation in Texas. Industry Briefs Vol. 7(1):1, 3.
• Samocha, T. M. Shrimp production with zero water exchange. 2001. Global Aquaculture Advocate Vol. 4(3):31-32.
• Felix, S., Samocha, T. M. 2001. Third generation shrimp farming technology to revive shrimp farms in India. INFOFISH International, Vol. 4:50-55.
• Felix, S., Samocha, T. M. and Johnson, K. 2001. Scope for bio-secured shrimp production in inland waters for India. Fishing Chimes, Vol. 20(10&11):59-60.
• Samocha, T. M. 2001. Conceptos de bio-securidad en practicas de produccion en granajas camaronicolas Panaorama Acuicola, Vol. 6(2):10-13.

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Studies were done with Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white shrimp) and Farfantepenaeus aztecus (Atlantic brown shrimp) to develop sustainable, cost effective and biosecure shrimp practices. Nursery trial with L. vannamei was done with 10 d old PL in 2 68.5 m2 (45 m3) raceways. PLs were stocked at 3.3/L. Water was chlorinated (10 ppm). Dissolved oxygen, pH, sal. and temp. were checked 2/d. Ammonia, NO2, NO3, cBOD5, COD, TSS, VSS, and total P were measured 1/wk with the values of: 0-2; 0.2-26.4; 0.2-17; 5-30; 600-2,400; 70-200; 10-120 and 0.01-6 mg/l, respectively. After 50 d, shrimp reached av. wt. of 1.2 g with 100 percent survival, good FCR (less than 1), excellent yield (4.2 kg/m3) and limited water discharge of 1.1 percent of the RW vol./d. Grow-out studies evaluated the effect of diets and density on shrimp performance and water quality (WQ) with no discharge. Juveniles (1.2 g) were stocked (50/m2) in 2 1,700 m2 HDPE lined ponds and 6 10.5 m2 HDPE tanks. Shrimp in 2 ponds and 3 tanks were fed a 30 percent protein diet while those in another pond and 3 tanks were fed a 40 percent protein diet. Shrimp in the high protein treatment received 3/4 of the ration offered to the low protein group. Feed was donated by Rangen, Buhl, ID. Aeration was provided by paddlewheel aerators for the ponds (47 HP/ha) and airstones for tanks. Water was chlorinated as above and WQ was monitored as for the nursery. Ponds were harvested after 106 d. Survival in 2 ponds was 80 percent. Shrimp av. wt. was 21.2 and 18.0 g for the low and high protein diet. Less than 0.5 percent of the culture water volume in freshwater was added daily to offset losses to evaporation. The mean weight values for the shrimp in the tanks were 18.8 and 13.6 g, respectively. These differences in growth were due to the higher than expected protein level in the low-protein diet (39 percent). Nursery trials with live bait shrimp were performed under limited water discharge (<1 percent/d) with stocking densities of 1,850 shrimp/m2 with an average survival rate of 97 percent and mean av. wt. of 0.75 g. Two live bait production cycles were conducted this year. Stocking densities between 150 and 200 PL/m2 were tested in the 1st run and 100/m2. in the 2nd cycle. Shrimp survival in the 1st run varied between 60 and 73 percent, while survival in the 2nd run was 58 percent. The low survival was due to vibrio disease outbreaks that required the use of medicated feed. Limited water discharge was employed in the first cycle and no discharge was employed in the 2nd cycle. Studies were also conducted to evaluate the feasibility to induced maturation of wild population under closed recirculating conditions. Preliminary results suggest that about 11 to 12 percent of the ablated females spawned each night. Females fed bloodworms or adult enriched Artemia and squid produced similar number of eggs per spawn (100,000 eggs). However, the quality of the larvae produced by the Artemia fed females was 15 to 20 percent better than bloodworms fed females. Spawning frequency for the non-ablated females (a control group) was only 1.4 percent/night with a spawn-size of 20,000 eggs.

Impacts
A yield of 42 tons/ha of 1.2 g size Litopenaeus vannamei was achieved in 50 d when early PL were reared with only 1.1 percent of the culture water volume added daily with FCR below 1 and excellent survival. Marketable size (21 g) with more than 9 tons/ha yield were achieved in small ponds (0.2 ha) in 106 d with less than 0.5 percent of the pond volume added daily in freshwater when shrimp were fed a diet with 39 percent protein. The studies with Farfantepenaeus aztecus showed that live bait brown shrimp can be produced with limited water discharge. Furthermore, we have demonstrated our ability to induce the animals to mature and spawn viable eggs under close recirculating conditions.

Publications

• Ritvo, G., Dixon, J. B., Neill, W. H., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L. 2000. The effect of controlled soil sulfur concentration on growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 31(3):381-389.
• McIntosh, D., Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R., Lawrence, A. L., McKee, D. A., Horowitz, S. and Horowitz, A. 2000. The effect of a commercial bacterial supplement and low-protein feed on the culturing of Litopenaeus vannamei at high density in an outdoor tank system with no water exchange. Aquacultural Engineering 21:215-227.
• Ritvo, G., Sherman, M., Lawrence, A. L. and Samocha, T. M. 2000. Estimation of soil phosphorus levels in shrimp ponds. Journal of Agricultural Biological and Environmental Statistics 5(1):115-129.
• Samocha, T. M., Matsumoto, T., Jones, E. R. and Turano, M. 1999. Potential use of artificial diets to reduce Artemia nauplii requirements for the production of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. Israeli Journal of Aquaculture-Bamidgeh. Israeli Journal of Aquaculture-Bamidgeh 51(4):157-168.
• Samocha, T. M. and Gandy, R. 2000. Protocol for nursery raceway. Acuacultura del Ecuador 39:72-77.
• Samocha, T. M., DeBault, K., Jones, E. R., Henry, B., Lawrence, A. L., Horowitz, A. and McKee, D. A. 2000. The effect of high and low protein diets and vertical substrate on water quality, growth, and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei in a high density outdoor tank system with no water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at Aquaculture 2000, February 2-5, 2000, New Orleans, LA.
• DeBault, K., Samocha, T. M. and Davis, A. D. 2000. Successful replacement of fish meal in the diet of the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in an outdoor tank system. Abstract of a paper presented at Aquaculture 2000, February 2-5, 2000, New Orleans, LA.
• Harisanto, M., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. and Fox, J. M. 2000. Intensive live bait shrimp production of Farfantepenaeus aztecus in raceways and lined ponds with reduced water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at Aquaculture 2000. February 2-5, 2000, New Orleans, LA.
• Samocha, T. M. 2000. Recent Advances in Shrimp Culture. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Aquaculture Association, February 15-17, 2000. El Campo, Texas.
• Samocha, T. M., Hamper, L., Emberson, C. R, Balafas, A., McIntosh, D. and Lawrence, A. L. Development of sustainable, cost-effective, and biosecured shrimp farming management practices in United States. Paper to be published in the Proceedings of the 16th Symposium of the International Farming Systems association and 4th Latin American Farming Systems Research and Extension Symposium, 27-29 November 2000, Santiago, Chile.
• McIntosh, D., Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R., Lawrence, A. L. and McKee, D. A. 2000. The effect of two commercially available low protein diets (21 and 31
• Samocha, T. M., Hamper, L., Emberson, C. R, Balafas, A., McIntosh, D. and Lawrence, A. L. Development of sustainable, cost-effective, and biosecured shrimp farming management practices in United States. 16th Symposium of the International Farming Systems association and 4th Latin American Farming Systems Research and Extension Symposium, 27-29 November 2000, Santiago, Chile.
• Samocha, T. M. 2000. A one day seminar on design and operation of an intensive nursery raceway system with minimal water discharge. The Ecuadorian Chamber of Aquaculture. August 3, 2000, Machala, Ecuador.
• Samocha, T. M. 2000. A three-day seminar on sustainable shrimp-farming practices. April 5-7, 2000. Dalian Fisheries University, Dalian, China.

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Studies were done with Litopenaeus vannamei and Farfantepenaeus aztecus to develop sustainable, cost effective and biosecure shrimp practices. Nursery trial with L. vannamei was done with 10 d old PL in 3 68.5 m2 raceways. PLs were stocked at 2.2 and 3.1/L. Water was chlorinated (10 ppm). The low density treatment required up to 1.3 RW vol/d to offset losses to sand filter backwashes, the high-density required 4.7 RW vol/d. Harvest Wt in the low density was 0.54 and 0.6 g with sur. of 82.1 and 59.2% and yield of 0.98 and 0.79 kg/m3. Wt. in the high density RW was 0.81 g with sur. of 89.9 percent and yield of 2.23 kg/m3. FCR values were below 1. Grow out studies evaluated the effect of diets, density and vertical netting (VN) on shrimp performance and water quality (WQ) with no discharge. Juveniles (0.5 g) were stocked (50/m2) in 3 1,700 m2 HDPE lined ponds and 9 10.5 m2 tanks. Tanks had soil on the bottom. Shrimp in 2 ponds and 6 tanks were fed a 30% protein diet. One of these ponds and 3 tanks were provided with VN. A 3rd pond and 3 tanks were fed a 40% protein diet. Shrimp in the high protein treatment received 3/4 of the ration offered to the low protein group. Feed was donated by Rangen, Buhl, ID. Aeration was provided by paddlewheel aerators (35 hp/ha) for ponds and airstones for tanks. Water was chlorinated as above. DO, pH, sal. & temp. were checked 2/d; ammonia, NO2, NO3, total P, reactive P, TSS, VSS, COD and cBOD5 were measured 1/wk. Ponds were harvested after 75 d due to power outage. Sur. in all 3 ponds was above 98%. Wt. in the low protein ponds with and w/o VN was 8.2 and 14.2 g. Wt. in the high protein pond was 11 g. Preliminary analyses suggest no sig. differences in daily and weekly WQ among treatments. Sur. in the low protein tanks with and w/o VN after 111 d was 87.6 and 94.5% with shrimp Wt. of 18.84 and 17.97 g and yield of 0.83 and 0.85 kg/m2, respectively. Sur. in the high protein tanks was 92.4% with Av. Wt. of 19.34 g and yield of 0.9 kg/m2. No statistically sig. differences were found in Wt. and sur. among treatments. Two nursery and grow out trials were done with F. aztecus in RWs and ponds using PLs produced from wild spawners. Nursery was conducted in the RWs using the same management as above. Stocking density was 4.9 and 5.2 PL/L. Shrimp Wt. after 34 d was 0.23 and 0.27 g with perfect sur., yield of 1.14 and 1.33 kg/m3 and FCR below 1. only 0.8 RW vol/d was required to compensate for filter backwashes. High protein diet (45%) was fed in the 1st trial while low protein diet (30%)was fed in the 2nd. Culture water was chlorinated before stocking (76/m2). Water exchange (2.1 and 2.5 vol/d) was needed to overcome shrimp mortality due to high pH (9.9). A perfect sur. was obtained after 72 d in 1 pond with Av. Wt. of 5.73 g. Sur. in 2 other ponds after 84 d was 71.9 and 65.4%, with Av. Wt. of 5.36 and 5.31 g. The 2nd trial was conducted under no discharge at higher density (130/m2). Ponds were harvested 21 d after stocking due to power outage. At that time Av. Wt. was 1.46 and 1.58 g with a perfect sur. in all 3 ponds.

Impacts
A yield of 9 tons/ha was achieved with Litopenaeus vannamei without water exchange, with good survival and FCR in 111 d using a 40% protein diet. Evaluation of this management practice on commercial shrimp farms is underway. The studies with Farfantepenaeus aztecus showed that live bait brown shrimp can be produced without water discharge. Under these conditions, shrimp-growth on a low protein diet (30%) was as good as with a high protein diet (45%).

Publications

• Samocha, T. M., Hamper, L., Emberson, C. R., Davis, A. D., Balafas, A., McIntosh, D. and Lawrence, A. L. 1999. Potential tools for development of a sustainable and biosecured shrimp farming industry. Proceedings of the Fifth Ecuadorian Aquaculture Conference. October 28-30, 1999. Expoplaza, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
• Balafas, A., Samocha, T. M., McIntosh, D., DeBault, K. J., Lawrence, A. L. and McKee, D. A. 1999. High density cultures of Litopenaeus vannamei in outdoor ponds with no water discharge using commercial shrimp feed with 20, 30 and 45
• Lawrence, A. L., Castille, F. L., Samocha, T. M., Velasco, M. and Davis, A. 1999. Contribution of feed versus natural productivity to nutritional requirements of shrimp in earthen ponds. Abstract of a paper presented at the Fifth Ecuadorian Aquaculture Conference. October 28-30, 1999. Expoplaza, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
• Ritvo, G., Speed, F. M., Neill, W. H., Dixon, J. B., Lawrence, A. L. and Samocha, T. M. 1999. Regression analysis of soil chemical composition for two shrimp farms in Texas. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 30(1):26-35.
• Samocha, T. M. 1999. More seafood, please, Farm raised shrimp could supplement dwindling ocean supplies. Resource 6(4):11-12.
• McIntosh, D., Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R., Lawrence, A. L. and McKee, D. A. 1999. The effect of two low protein diets and a bacterial supplement on water quality, growth, and survival of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in a high density outdoor tank system under zero water discharge. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual South Texas Environmental Conference - Towards a New Millennium. October 20-22, 1999. Omni Bayfront Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Hart, C. K., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L. and McKee, D. A. and Mott, J. B. 1999. Effect of bacterial supplement treatments on nitrification, and characterization of biochemical oxygen demands in a high density, zero water exchange outdoor shrimp tank system (L. vannamei) using varied protein diets. Abstract & Poster presented at the Seventh Annual South Texas Environmental Conference - Towards a New Millennium. October 20-22, 1999. Omni Bayfront Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Miller, D., Mott, J. B., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L. and McKee, D. A. Effects of a bacterial supplement and low protein diets on total bacterial populations, ammonification, and gram positive bacteria ratios in a zero water exchange tank system stocked with Litopenaeus vannamei. Abstract & Poster presented at the Seventh Annual South Texas Environmental Conference - Towards a New Millennium. October 20-22, 1999. Omni Bayfront Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Balafas, A., Samocha, T. M., McIntosh, D, DeBault, K. J., Lawrence, A. L., and McKee, D. A. 1999. High densities production of the pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in outdoor ponds and tanks under zero water discharge using commercial diets with low and high protein levels and the effect on water quality, shrimp growth and survival. Abstract of a paper presented at the Seventh Annual South Texas Environmental Conference - Towards a New Millennium. October 20-22, 1999. Omni Bayfront Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Samocha, T. M., Balafas, A., McIntosh, D., Hamper, L., Lawrence, A. L. 1999. Shrimp farming with zero water discharge myths and facts. Abstract of a paper presented at the Estuarine Research Federation 15th Biennial International Conference. September 25-30, 1999. Hotel Inter-Continental, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Ritvo, G., Dixon, J. B., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L. and Neill, W. H. 1999. Low-cost microcosms for research on shrimp-sediment interaction. Abstract of a paper presented at the Estuarine Research Federation 15th Biennial International Conference. September 25-30, 1999. Hotel Inter-Continental International, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Samocha, T. M., Balafas, A., Hamper, L., Emberson, C. R., Wood, G. F., McIntosh, D. and Lawrence, A. L. 1999. Recent Advances Towards Development of Sustainable Shrimp Farming Industry. Regional shrimp culture conference - Tools and solutions to struggle against white spot in Latin America. July 7-8, 1999, Plaza Paitilla Inn Hotel, Panama City, Panama. Invited Speaker.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A. L., Collins, C. A., Castille, F. L., Lee, P. G., Davies, C. J. and Wood, G. F. 1999. Use of greenhouse-enclosed intensive raceway system for the nursery phase of Penaeus vannamei in an inland commercial shrimp farm in Arizona. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America '99. January 27-30, 1999, Tampa, Florida.
• Samocha, T. M., Moya, M. E., Lawrence, A. L., Bray, W. A. and Wood, G. F. 1999. Production of marketable-size Penaeus vannamei in an inland commercial shrimp farm in Arizona desert using ground saline water. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America '99. January 27-30, 1999, Tampa, Florida.
• Blacher, T. S., Samocha, T. M., Gandy, R. L., Lawrence, A. L., Jones, E. R. and McKee, D.A. 1999. A production protocol of Penaeus aztecus (brown shrimp) for use as bait shrimp in the gulf of Mexico. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America '99. January 27-30, 1999, Tampa, Florida.
• Samocha, T.M. 1999. Use of intensive nursery raceway system for live bait shrimp production. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America '99. January 27-30, 1999, Tampa, Florida.
• Ritvo, G., Dixon, J. B., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L. and Neill, W. H. 1999. Low-cost experimental unit and growth medium for testing soil effects on shrimp culture. Abstract of a paper presented at the Aquaculture America '99. January 27-30, 1999, Tampa, Florida.
• Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L., Bray, W. A., Collins, C. A., Castille, F. L., Lee, P. G. and Davies, C. J. 1999. Production of marketable Litopenaeus vannamei in greenhouse-enclosed raceways in the Arizona desert using ground saline water. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture '99. The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society. April 26 - May 2, 1999, Sydney, Australia.
• McIntosh, D., Samocha, T. M., Jones, E. R., Lawrence, A. L., Mott, J.B. and McKee, D. A. 1999. The effect of two low protein diets and a bacterial supplement on water quality, growth, and survival of Penaeus vannamei in a high density outdoor tank system with no water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture '99. The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society. April 26-May 2, 1999, Sydney, Australia.
• Apostolos, B., Samocha, T. M., Lawrence, A. L. and McKee, D. A. 1999. The effect of two low-protein diets on water quality, growth and survival of Penaeus vannamei stocked at high density in outdoor production systems under no water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture '99. The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society. April 26-May 2, 1999, Sydney, Australia.
• Moya, M. E., Lawrence, A. L., Collins, C. A. and Samocha, T. M. 1999. Acclimation of Penaeus vannamei postlarvae to 2 ppt ground saline water in Sonora Desert, Arizona. Abstract of a paper presented at the World Aquaculture '99. The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society. April 26 - May 2, 1999, Sydney, Australia.
• Bray, W.A., Moya, M. E., Lawrence, A. L. and Samocha, T. M. Broodstock culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in low salinity desert groundwater of 2.3 ppt: Summary of growth and sperm development. World Aquaculture '99. The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society. April 26 - May 2, 1999, Sydney, Australia.
• Emberson, C. R., Samocha, T. M. and Wood, G. F. 1999. Use of ground saline water for commercial production of Litopenaeus vannamei in the Sonora Desert, Arizona, USA. Abstract of a paper to be presented at the World Aquaculture '99. The Annual International Conference and Exposition of the World Aquaculture Society. April 26 - May 2, 1999, Sydney, Australia.

Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
Concerns over negative environmental impact from shrimp farms' effluent waters and diseases are constantly increasing worldwide. Cost-effective treatment and production methods are needed for the industry to survive. 4 studies were conducted to evaluate practices to reduce nutrient releases by shrimp farms. 1st study: 'High Health' PL 10 Litopenaeus vannamei were stocked into 3-68.5 sq.m. raceways (1.4 PL/l) after chlorine treatment (10 ppm). Shrimp were fed a 45% protein diet (Rangen Inc., Buhl, ID) supplemented by Artemia & 50% protein PL diet (Zeigler Bros., Inc., Gardners, PA). Throughout the 34-d trial, only little freshwater was added to compensate for water losses. Av.wt. at harvest was 0.64 g with survival between 86.8 & 111.1%. 2nd study: evaluated the effect of 2 low-protein diets (20 & 30%) & density (40/sq.m.) on water quality parameters & shrimp performance under 'zero water discharge.' The study was conducted in 2-1,700 sq.m. lined ponds and 6-9.5 sq.m. HDPE tanks stocked with shrimp from the raceways. Paddlewheel aerators (6 hp/pond) maintained DO oxygen in ponds. Water was treated before stocking with chlorine (10 ppm). Each pond was offered one diet with 3-tank replicates. Both diets were commercially available (Rangen). Throughout the study no water was discharged except for emergency releases due to heavy rains. DO, pH, salinity and temp. were monitored 2/d. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, total phosphorus, reactive phosphorus, TSS, VSS, COD and five-day BOD were measured 1/wk. Survival in ponds after 100-d was 82 and 86% with av.wt. of 19.4 & 15.9 g and growth of 1.5 and 1.1 g/wk and FCR of 1.89 and 1.86 and yields of 6.3 and 5.5 ton/ha for the high and low-protein diets, respectively. The 3rd study evaluated the effect of size at stocking (3.69 g) and density (30/sq.m.) on shrimp performance when offered a 45% protein diet under no discharge. The study was conducted in a similar pond used in the 2nd study. Survival after 48 d was 96% with a mean shrimp wt. of 16.8 g & FCR of 1:1. The 4th study evaluated the effect of density (40/sq.m.), protein (20 & 30%) and Bacillus on selected WQ parameters and performance of L. vannamei under no water discharge. The study was conducted in 18 outdoor tanks (10.5 sq.m.) under a shade. Tanks had a 15-cm layer of clay soil and 10 airstones. Freshwater was used to maintained salinity with emergency releases due to heavy rains. Shrimp in 12 tanks were offered the 20% protein diet while shrimp in 6 tanks were offered the 30% protein diet. A bacillus was added to 6 of the low-protein diet tanks 5 times/wk. Sampling frequencies and monitoring of the WQ parameters were similar to those mentioned for the 2nd trial. Soil, interface and water samples were collected every 2 wks to study nitrification activities. After 94 d the mean shrimp weight was increased from 1.6 g to 11.7, 12.2 and 14 g with survival of 92.7, 90.6 & 96.2% for the 20%+bacillus, 20% & 30% treatments, respectively. Data analyses are currently underway to determined if differences among treatments.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

• Ritvo, G., Sherman, M., Lawrence, A.L. and Samocha, T.M. 1997. Estimation of soil composition in shrimp ponds. Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Technical Report No. 282.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. and Poser, D. 1998. Salinity effect on growth and survival of juvenile Penaeus vannamei in semi-closed recirculating system. Israeli Journal of Aquaculture-Bamidgeh 50(2):55-59.
• Cordova, I.J., Samocha, T.M., McKee, D.A. and Arango, J.I. 1998. Efecto de dietas suplementadas con astaxantina sobre elcrecomiento y la sobrevivencia de Penaeus vannamei en condiciones comerciales de cultivo en Ecuador. Acuacultura del Ecuador 25:30-36.
• Ritvo, G., Dixon, J.B., Lawrence, A.L., Samocha, T.M., Neill, W.H. and Speed, M.F. 1998. Accumulation of chemical elements in Texas shrimp pond soils. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 29(4):422-431.
• Ritvo, G., Dixon, J.B., Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. and Neill, W.H. 1998. Low-cost experimental unit and growth medium for testing soil effects on shrimp culture. Aquacultural Engineering 18:245-249.
• Ritvo, G., Lawrence, A.L., Samocha, T.M., and Neill W.H. 1998. Effect of soils from several shrimp farms on growth of Penaeus vannamei. In: Cruz-Suarez, L.E., Ricque, D. and Mendoza, R. (Eds). Proceedings of the 3rd Simposium International de Nutricion Acuicola, November 11-13, 1996, Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. Horowitz, A and Horowitz, S. 1998. The Use of Commercial Probiotics in the Production of Marine Shrimp under No Water Exchange. Pages 373-375 in: Proceedings of the second international conference on recirculating aquaculture, July 16-19, 1998, Roanoke, VA.
• Thoresen, M., Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. and Mott, J.B. 1997. The effect of two bacterial supplements on bacterial populations, nitrogenous waste degradation, and ammonia oxidation in a south Texas shrimp pond. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Mann, C.R., Browdy, C.L., Bratvold, D., Samocha, T.M. and McKee, D.A. 1997. Regulations of aquaculture effluent: a closer look at biochemical oxygen demand. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Fitzek, A.R., Samocha, T.M., McKee, D.A. and Vaughan, D.E. 1997. Maturation and larval rearing of the pink shrimp Penaeus duorarum. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Ritvo, G., Lawrence, A.L., Dixon, J.B., Samocha, T.M. and Neill, W.H. 1998. Effect of soil chemical composition on shrimp production. Book of Abstracts, 1998 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Samocha, T.M. and Lawrence, A.L. 1998. Shrimp feed and pond feed management effect on shrimp pond effluent water quality. Book of Abstracts, The Sixth Annual South Texas Environmental Conference and DOE-Western States Clean Cities Conference. March 29-April 1, 1998, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Samocha, T.M., Jones, E.R., Lawrence, A.L., Mott, J.B., McIntosh, D.M., Keeney, T.S., Goulet-Miller, F.H. and Miller, D. 1998. Use of an outdoor tank-system as a research tool to develop sustainable and cost-effective shrimp production management strategies. Book of Abstracts, The Sixth Annual South Texas Environmental Conference and DOE-Western States Clean Cities Conference. March 29-April 1, 1998, Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Lawrence, A.L., Velasco, M., Montoya, R. and Samocha, T.M. 1998. Aquaculture: Feed management, feeds, and environmental quality. Abstract of a paper presented at a Workshop on Marine Aquaculture: Emerging Technologies and Global Opportunities. June 26-27, 1998, University of Connecticut in Stanford.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. Horowitz, A and Horowitz, S. 1998. The use of commercial probiotics in the production of marine shrimp under no water exchange. Abstract of a paper presented at the second international conference on recirculating aquaculture, July 16-19, 1998. Roanoke, VA.
• Ritvo, G., Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. and Neill, W.H. 1998. Growth of Penaeus vannamei on soils from various Texas shrimp farms under laboratory conditions. Aquaculture 163 (1-2):101-110.
• Ritvo, G., M. Sherman, A L. Lawrence, T.M. Samocha. 1998. Determining the bottom soil sampling rate in shrimp ponds using variograms. Aquacultural Engineering 17 (4):273-286.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L., Horowitz, A. and Horowitz, S. 1998. Commercial bacterial supplement - its potential use in the production of marine shrimp under no water exchange. Proceedings of the 1st Latin American Shrimp Culture Congress & Exhibition, October 6-10, 1998, ATLAPA Convention Center Panama City, Panama.
• Lawrence A.L., Velasco, M., Montoya, R. and Samocha, T.M. 1998. Shrimp pond feed management effect on shrimp pond effluent water quality. Proceedings of the 1st Latin American Shrimp Culture Congress & Exhibition, October 6-10, 1998, ATLAPA Convention Center Panama City, Panama.
• Horowitz, A., Samocha, T.M., Gandy, R.L. and Horowitz, S. 1998. Application of a new bead biofilter for enhanced nitrification in shrimp production systems. Proceedings of the 1st Latin American Shrimp Culture Congress & Exhibition, October 6-10, 1998, ATLAPA Convention Center Panama City, Panama.
• Gandy, R.L., Samocha, T.M. and McKee, D.A. 1997. A survey of the Florida and Texas retail live bait shrimp markets. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• DeAnda, D., Samocha, T.M. and McKee, D.A. 1997. Effects of different water temperatures on postlarval population estimates. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Ritvo G., Lawrence, A.L., Neill, W.H., Samocha, T.M., Dixon, J.B. and Speed, F. 1997. Elemental accumulations in soils of shrimp ponds in six years. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Ritvo, G., Speed, M., Lawrence, A.L., Samocha, T.M., Neill, W.H. and Dixon, J.B. 1997. Soil chemical composition for two shrimp farms in south Texas. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Samocha, T.M., Rojas, A., Sutter, R., Lawrence, A.L. and Castille, F.L. 1998. Production of bait shrimp Penaeus setiferus and P. duorarum in Texas using raceways and ponds. Book of Abstracts, 1998 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Samocha, T.M. and Lawrence, A.L. 1998. Preliminary design and operating specifications for a biosecure shrimp growout facility in Texas. Book of Abstracts, 1998 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Samocha, T.M., Jones, E.R., Lawrence, A.L., Mott, J.B. and McIntosh, D.M. 1998. Environmentally friendly feed, zero water exchange and commercial bacterial-supplements as potential effluent management tools in shrimp production. Book of Abstracts, 1998 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.
• Horowitz, A., Samocha, T.M., Gandy, R.L. and Horowitz, S. 1998. Liner toxicity in a recirculating superintensive shrimp production system. Proceedings of the 1st Latin American Shrimp Culture Congress & Exhibition, October 6-10, 1998, ATLAPA Convention Center Panama City, Panama.
• Horowitz, S., Gandy, R.L., Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L. and Horowitz, A. 1998. Improving the Microbiology of Nitrifying Biofilters. Proceedings of the Aquaculture Brazil `98. November 2-6, 1998, Recife, Brazil. Pernanbuco's Convention Center.
• Samocha, T.M., Lawrence, A.L., Collins, C.A., Castille, F.L., Lee, P.G. and Wood, G.F. 1998. Use of intensive nursery systems in commercial shrimp production: advantages and disadvantages. Abstract of a paper presented at the 1st Latin American Shrimp Culture Congress & Exhibition, October 6-10, 1998, ATLAPA Convention Center Panama City, Panama.
• Kinne, P.N., Browdy, C.L., Samocha, T.M., Jones, E.R. and McKee, D.A. 1997. Preliminary studies on biofiltration of intensive shrimp pond effluent. Book of Abstracts, 1997 World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting.