Aquaculture Scoop September 2016

Aquaculture Scoop is a magazine for aquaculture professionals worldwide

Issue 13 / September 2016 Investing in aquaculture

Natural solutions

The business merits of starting a fish farm

Keeping your ponds clean and healthy

Neptune Pharma

Micro-organisms

Tackling lice problems

Key to healthier water in land systems

Expo list

The world’s top events related to aquaculture from around the world, listed on p. 16

Swimming against the current

9

Types of freezing details from Octofrost.

PAGE 14

Anna Zahedi, a rural graduate based in CKD Galbraith’s Edinburgh office, considers the business merits of starting a fish farm…

Read more on p.2

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND FREEZING SYSTEMS

OCTOFROST EXPLAINS Read more on page 14 Published by Nisa Media Ltd www.aquaculturedirectory.co.uk www.facebook.com/nisamedia www.twitter.com/Aquaculturedire

Nutriad

p.7

Koenders

p.11

Editorial

Issue 13 / September 2016 Investing in aquaculture

Welcome to the latest issue of Aquaculture Scoop.

In this issue we learn about beneficial micro-organisms holding the key to healthier water and a more natural way of keeping fish ponds clean.

We investigate the business merits of starting a fish farm with Anna Zahedi. We also take a look at micro-encapsulation technology, using purified bile salts in white shrimp feeds, and various freezing methods used in food processing.

As ever, please send us your comments and articles for inclusion, contact details below and right.

The business merits of starting a fish farm

Microencapsulation Delivery system for food in aquaculture

Micro-organisms Key to healthier water in land systems

Natural solutions Keeping your ponds clean and healthy

Events

The world’s top events related to aquaculture from around the world, listed on p. 16

www.aquaculturedirectory.co.uk

>> Published by:

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www.aquaculturedirectory.co.uk > Editorial Manager Nicky Barnes Tel: +44 117 2306494 Email: nbarnes@aquaculturedirectory.co.uk > International Marketing Manager Sabby Major Tel: +44 117 2306493 Email: smajor@aquaculturedirectory.co.uk > News Editor Martin Little Email: mlittle@aquaculturedirectory.co.uk

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

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Time to swim against the current and invest in aquaculture?

Anna Zahedi, a rural graduate based in CKD Galbraith’s Edinburgh office, considers the business merits of starting a fish farm…

For the conventional farmer, whether on Grade 1 Lincolnshire Fen-land or Less Favoured hill-ground on Harris, it is guaranteed that their main objective will be to break-even and, where possible, make a profit. However rising costs of inputs and sundries coupled with depressed grain and livestock prices mean that farmers are increasingly looking towards diversifying their income streams by adding Photovoltaics with sheep grazing underneath and yurts ready to accommodate eager glampers, to the usual livestock and arable mix.

Of all the innovative ways to diversify a farmer’s income, aquaculture does not often (at least in the UK) enter into to the mix.

Whether it’s a dislike of the scaly and slimy or a feeling that that the task of running a fish farming operation is simply too far

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

removed from ‘dry land’ based farming, one thing is for certain: we live on an island where the precipitation is considerable and the climate temperate but few landowners feel drawn towards investing in aquaculture.

raises the stakes, recent algal blooms in Chile have caused the loss of 23 million fish - equating to 100,000 tonnes -with a total cost in lost production estimated to be around $800 million.

For those who do choose to invest in aquaculture, the choice of marine or terrestrial based farming is usually based on geographical location. In coastal waters fish, crustacean and mollusc farming can be particularly challenging due to the unpredictable nature of external environmental factors including stormy weather, predators and high disease burden. (Not to mention the additional overhead costs of building suitable infrastructure and obtaining the necessary permissions from the Crown Estate and local governments.)

For terrestrial based aquaculture, mitigating against risk is easier. Greater control of the system allows water quality to be monitored, preventing fluctuations, while predators are of little concern. However once a pathogen is present disease spreads quickly and can in the worst case scenario lead to the loss of the entire stock.

Aquaculture is in principle akin to terrestrial farming: an intensive system of farming where margins are continually squeezed and there is a constant drive to improve efficiency, maximise productivity and reduce overheads. While GPS tractors, touch-screen precision sprayers, cow collars and drones have been enthusiastically taken-up by many ‘traditional’ farmers, most will tell you that there is no substitute to walking the fields and regularly checking on livestock.

Even the established players at the top of the aquaculture industry are not immune to these problems and have good reason to be cautious. Large scale intensive farming

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Aquaculture technology is light years ahead and, for those who wish to remain as key players in the industry, it has become such an integral part of the production process that the probability of losing a whole stock is slight. Technological advances mean that the entire life cycle of a salmon from egg to harvest can be achieved in a completely closed environment using recirculation techniques (where the water is constantly being filtered, purified and re-oxygenated) to provide optimal conditions for growth while eliminating the need for pesticides.

Sensors which respond to the cues exhibited by the salmon but not immediately visible to the naked eye - no matter how well trained – provide the data for the system to adjust water temperature, salinity and even mimic the lengthening days to trigger the photochemical transition from parr to smolt.

This technology, deployed to minimise the risk of human error, also plays a fundamental part in traceability for the consumer. A barcode or QR code on fish packaging will tell you the origin of the fish, the number of the pen it was reared in, when it was harvested and processed and often plenty of other non-mandatory information.

While the benefits for the big players who can afford to invest are clear what is the case for smaller farmers and landowners trading in their Simmental and silage in favour of salmon? Aquaculture is an industry where the risks are high but the rewards great and its prospect for the smaller scale farmer are perhaps not so murky after all.

showing that input costs can be reduced by choosing a more ‘energy-efficient’ animal, there can be significant savings on input costs.

The emerging aquaculture industry is based on clean technology, sustainability and novel techniques, such as using carbon capture to produce a sustainable supply of fish food, to floating pods for salmon production, to cleaner wrasse introduction as a natural predator of sea lice. While no business model is perfect, the solid foundation in science and innovation suggests that aquaculture industry is a forerunner that the wider farming community can learn from.

So how can agriculture and landowners – particularly those without access to coastal waters, large ponds or empty reservoirs - fit into the picture? At CKD Galbraith we have seen an increase in the demand from aquaculture firms for sites for land based projects, such as recirculation units and research laboratories, and in requirements for freshwater access for flushing techniques used to remove sea lice.

Brownfield sites and old commercial business parks fit the bill for many of these projects, with the companies often willing to replace and renew much of the infrastructure at little or no cost to the owner. Now could be the time to think about swimming against the current.

About CKD Galbraith CKD Galbraith is an independent property consultancy employing 225 staff in offices across Scotland including Edinburgh, Stirling, Perthshire, Cupar, Inverness, Castle Douglas, Ayr, Elgin, Galashiels, Kelso, and Aberdeen, offering local knowledge, national expertise and enjoying international reach.

The firm is Scotland’s largest and leading rural consultancy managing and providing advice on farm, forestry, land and estate interests on over three million acres. CKD Galbraith provides the full range of property consulting services across the residential, commercial, rural and renewable energy sectors throughout Scotland and northern England.

To find out more about CKD Galbraith visit www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk or follow: Facebook: facebook.com/ckdgalbraith Twitter: twitter.com/ckdgalbraith / twitter.com/CKDGRural Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/ckd-galbraith

Anna Zahedi, a rural graduate based in CKD Galbraith’s Edinburgh office

Firstly, there is a clear, present and growing demand. As red meat consumption decreases and fish consumption steadily rises the problem is amplified with almost half the global population already relying on fish as a primary source of protein.

Secondly, as overfishing causes wild fish stocks dwindle and food security becomes of increased importance to national governments there can be no doubt that sustainable production has a major role to play in feeding the world’s ever growing population. For example, whilst it takes 6.8 pounds of feed to produce one pound of body mass in Hereford cattle; for salmon the ratio is almost one-to-one showing that

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

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Microencapsulation: A Delivery System for Food and other Bioactive Ingredients in Aquaculture According to Lee (2003), pelleting is a process that is used to produce diets for aquatic species. Microencapsulation has been used over the years to improve the stability of feed particles in water, which is important in aquatic feedstuffs. However, feeding of pelleted diets may become difficult to digestion and therefore kill fish larvae because of gut filling. Marine fish, during larvae stage need to be fed live diets until metamorphosis, and only after this period they can be fed an inert feed (Blair et al., 2003). Yufera et al. (1999) working with microencapsulated diets prepared by interfacial polymerization of protein, found satisfactory larval growth in marine fish.

These authors concluded that microencapsulated diets can become an alternative to replace live food in the early larval stages.

Chen et al., (1992) working with arginine as dietary supplement in juvenile Penaeus monodon marine shrimp found a higher weight gain and feed conversion rate of

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

shrimp fed microencapsulated L-arginine when compared to crystalline L-arginine.

They suggested that microencapsulation was an important technique to help in satisfying the amino acids requirements of shrimp.

Additionally, slow release ascorbic acid is available commercially for use in pelleted aquaculture diets. Shrimp have a requirement for ascorbic acid.

delivering nutrients to the animal industry now stands on the cusp to deliver functional cost savings benefits to the aquaculture industry. Specifically, microencapsulation protects the shelf life and stability of labile ingredients, protects ingredients from air, light and metals to maintain potency and deliver the ingredient to a specific site and delivering it at a desired release rate.

Implications

Product composition

Microencapsulation is poised to overcome age old processing issues that were once thought of as impossible in fish farming. The process can be used as an alternative to replace live food in the early stages of marine lives until metamorphosis. Shrimp fed coated microencapsulated L-arginine exhibit higher weight gain and improved feed conversion compared to shrimp fed crystalline uncoated arginine. A technology that has been used to deliver benefits to the food and nutritional industries as well as

Stabilized 70% vitamin C is manufactured using 100% raw crystalline ascorbic acid which, comprises 70% of the total weight of the product. The other 30% is GRAS approved coating material, consisting of fully hydrogenated vegetable oil. The process used creates a white to off white material of free-flowing particulate granules, with a particle size of 100% through 10 mesh (1885 Âľ) screen (USSS). Figure 1 demonstrates the coating around the active ingredient. Note that in spite of the irregular shape of each

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particle the coating surrounds each particle which allows for a required functionality.

Modern microencapsulation technology allows particles to be free-flowing and for the coating of particles regardless of their shapes.

current 70% vitamin C product form is not a strong fit for extrusion. Under extrusion there is less than 50% retention. Products that involved other process may be more suitable for extrusion than 70% microencapsulated ascorbic acid.

Feed processing and storage

References:

Stabilized 70% ascorbic acid is a coated source of vitamin C which allows vitamin C to survive through cold and steam pelleting conditions. In cold pelleting, there is almost 100% retention of the vitamin C through processing and delivery. During steam pelleting there is a 94% stability; through the pelleting process and the ability to have up to 180 days of shelf life depending upon the steam pelleting application. Extrusion conditions are much more severe than either cold or steam pelleting, and the

Blair, T., J. Castell, S. Neil, L. D’Abramo, C. Cahu, P. Harmon, K. Ogunmoye. 2003.

Evaluation of microdiets versus live feeds on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of larval haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Aquaculture. 225:451-461.

Chen, H. Y., Y. T. Leu, and I. Roelants. 1992.

Effective supplementation of arginine in the diets of juvenile marine shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Aquaculture. 108:87-95.

Lee, C. S. 2003. Biotechnological advances in finfish hatchery production: A review.

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

Aquaculture. 227: 439-458.

Yúfera M., E. Pascual, C. Fernández-Díaz.

1999. A highly efficient microencapsulated food for rearing early larvae of marine fish.

Aquaculture 177, 249-256.

For more information: Winston A. Samuels, Ph.D. Maxx Performance Inc, USA www.maxxperformance.com

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New Micro-organisms may hold key to healthier water in land systems Aquaculture is the world’s fastest growing food-production sector and its success depends on healthy Fish. HEALTHY fish primarily depend on healthy water conditions and healthy water conditions depend on the presence of beneficial micro-organisms that maintain the water’s eco-balance, which is nature’s way of assuring healthy water conditions. Water quality is by far the most important consideration in land based systems because these highly artificial environments have a propensity for the accumulation of waste metabolites which promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria. When water conditions are out of balance, the potential for problems exist and usually multiply very quickly. Treating the diseased fish with chemicals and medications such as antibiotics is an after the fact remedy because the underlying cause (unhealthy water conditions) is not being addressed.

Their use can also worsen water quality by negatively affecting the biological action. No matter how expensive or technically advanced the equipment is in a recirculating or static land based aquaculture system, it is still at best just an artificial environment and prone to water quality problems. Even the normal processes in any artificial aquatic environment will eventually cause the system to become unbalanced, allowing unfriendly bacteria to multiply and negatively impact water quality, leading to bacterial infestations which affect fish health.

Beneficial micro-organisms are the key and play important roles in aquaculture, particularly with respect to nutrient cycling, nutrition of the cultured animals, water quality, disease control and the environmental impact of effluent. They can

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

be used to alter or regulate the composition of bacterial flora to optimize fish production by reducing pathogen concentration and by improving water quality by accelerating nitrification, sediment decomposition and reducing algal growth. The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is surely relevant here. Since the use of antibiotics is becoming highly restrictive, the key can only be bio-augmentation, the use of probiotic non-pathogenic good bacteria to maintain healthy water conditions.

While the concept of bio-augmentation is not new, the use of probiotic micro-organisms to improve water quality is still in its early stages. Until now, this may have been due to the lack of specific commercially available micro-organisms that cannot only operate differently in a wide range of water conditions, but also significantly improve the biological action of other bacteria operating within the processes. Recently, a new bio-augmentation product that can initially control ammonia/nitrite in aquatic environments using a novel process in addition to nitrification was introduced by a small biotech company from Dublin, Ireland. The product contains for the very first time Class I micro-organisms called ‘extremophiles’ not previously commercially available and the result of more than three years’ intensive proprietary manufacturing development.

significant effects on their own or on other bacteria. However, in highly concentrated quantities with other Class 1 micro-organisms they have demonstrated are bio-synergistic characteristic, having the ability to act on their own as well as significantly improve the biological action of other bacteria operating within the processes. In test after test, these ‘extremophiles’ continue to demonstrate their unique capabilities. Contaminant removal rates such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and organic sludge are not only faster but under conditions not previously experienced. Lag times are significantly reduced in both normal and hostile water conditions. Other product combinations with ‘extremophiles’ are in development. So now the future for improving water conditions looks a lot clearer and operators may have a new tool to help them.

For more information: John L Strauss Bio-Industries Ltd Ireland Tel: +353 1 2941025 Web: www.bio.ie

What is unique about these ‘extremophiles’ is their ability to function in a wide range of normal and hostile water conditions using traditional and novel methods. While ‘extremophile’ micro-organisms are present everywhere in the environment, they are not in sufficient quantities to have

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Cost-efficient replacement of essential lipids (Cholesterol, n-3 Hufa and Phospholipids) in feeds for white shrimp Penaeus vannamei using purified bile salts

Shrimp are incapable to biosynthesize n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and cholesterol, and have a limited capacity to produce phospholipids de novo. Therefore, these essential lipids need to be supplied through the feed for optimizing growth and health of farmed shrimp. The increased cost and/or limited availability of essential fat sources for shrimp feed, particularly fish oil, cholesterol and/or lecithin, have become a challenge for shrimp nutritionists during recent years. Nutritionists are looking for alternatives to replace these expensive raw materials without jeopardizing the performance of the feed, and meeting the nutrient requirements of the shrimp,

Ingredients (%)

CON HI

CON LO

Peruvian Fishmeal (65.7% Protein, 16.6% Ash) Tuna Fishmeal (60.7% Protein, 21.6% Ash)

13.00% 5.00%

13.00% 5.00%

Soybean Meal (48% Protein)

34.38%

34.11%

Rape Seed Meal (34% Protein)

7.00%

7.00%

Corn Gluten (65% Protein) Wheat bran Rice Bran Whole wheat

2.00% 5.00% 7.00% 19.09%

2.00% 5.00% 7.00% 20.39%

Squid meal (80% Protein) Shrimp Premix*

3.00% 2.00%

3.00% 2.00%

Lecithine (Liquid, 60% PL)

1.50%

1.00%

Fish oil Cholesterol (92% purity) Total

1.00% 0.025% 100

0.50% 100

*Premix providing vitamins, minerals, trace elements and binder.

Bile salts are natural emulsifiers capable of enhancing the digestive capacity for lipids in the digestive system of shrimp by improving the lipid emulsification and micelle formation, resulting in a faster absorption of lipids in the hepatopancreas. Furthermore, bile salts constitute an alternative source for the steroid ring which shrimp cannot synthesize, which is at the basis of their

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

Analysis as % product Crude protein Crude fat after hydrolysis Crude ash Crude fibre HUFA Cholesterol Moisture

37.35 6.35 7.56 3.2 0.89 0.080 11.46

37.31 5.61 7.66 3.3 0.75 0.064 10.62

Table 1: Feed formulation and analysis for the experimental diets.

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requirement for dietary cholesterol. Bile salts have a species-specific composition and molecular structure. The commercial availability of bile salts is mostly restricted to pharmaceutical grade applications of purified cholic acid from bovine origin, which due to its elevated cost, is not applicable in animal feeds. Although the use of bile salts in shrimp nutrition has been empirically documented, it is not known to what extent the efficacy of bile salts is affected by its origin, composition and/or molecular structure.

The current study aimed at determining the potential of different sources of bile salts as partial replacement of cholesterol, n-3 HUFA and phospholipids in practical grow out diets for the white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).

Treatments Five diets were processed using a pilot scale pelletizer (pre-conditioning during 2 min @ 90°C mash temperature; die 2 mm x 40 mm; post- conditioning @ 90 °C, 20 min). A positive control diet (CON HI) and a negative control diet (CON LO) only differed in terms of levels of essential lipids by reducing the level of fish oil (-0.5%), reducing the level of lecithin (-0.5%) and eliminating the cholesterol supplement in CON LO (Table 1).

Three treatments were designed as follows: LO/LIPO: CON LO diet supplemented with a mixture of bile salts from bovine origin (LIPOGEST, Nutriad); LO/CHA: CON LO diet supplemented with purified cholic acid from bovine origin; LO/PG: CON LO diet supplemented with a mixture of bile salts from pig origin.

Conditions of the feeding trial The feeding trial was conducted at the Brackish Aquaculture Development Center test facility in Jepara, Indonesia for 56 days.

The experimental setup consisted of cylindrical, 1-mt, flat-bottom fibre glass tanks.

Seawater was prepared by pumping through a 1-μm GAF filter bag, and recirculated over a 1.6-mt coral biofilter. Salinity was adjusted to 25 ppt by the addition of underground freshwater, and disinfection with 3 mg/l hypochlorite powder for 24 hours. Shrimp (P. vannamei) of 1 g were stocked at 20

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

Gram/Week 1.6

1.4

1.2

1

0.8 CON HI

CON LO

LIPOGEST

PURE CHOLIC ACID BILS SALTS PIG

Difference vs. CON HI -14% -2% +2% -9% Figure 1: Growth expressed as gram/week for P. vannamei fed the experimental diets for 56 days

FCR 3.1

2.775

2.45

2.125

1.8 CON HI Difference vs. CON HI

CON LO +16%

LIPOGEST -3%

PURE CHOLIC ACID BILS SALTS PIG -3%

+1%

Figure 2: Feed Conversion ratio for P. vannamei fed the experimental diets for 56 days

PER 1.2

1.1

1

0.9

0.8

0.7 CON HI Difference vs. CON HI

CON LO -14%

LIPOGEST +3%

PURE CHOLIC ACID BILS SALTS PIG +2%

-2%

Figure 3: Protein Efficiency Ratio for P. vannamei fed the experimental diets for 56 days

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shrimp/tank and acclimated for one week prior to the start of the trial. Experimental feeds were tested in triplicate and uneaten feed was recuperated to estimate the correct feed intake. Water temperature (27.1¹0.9°C), salinity, and other quality parameters remained within acceptable limits during the tests.

Results & Discussion: Survival was excellent and averaged 90%.

Overall shrimp growth, up to 1.8 g/week towards the end of the trial, was excellent under the conditions of clear water culture in small tanks. Growth and feed utilization were significantly affected by the reduction of the essential lipids in the CON LO treatment compared to the CON HI treatment, growth -14%, food conversion ratio (FCR) +16% and protein efficiency ratio (PER) -14%. Supplementation of the different types of bile salts to the CON LO

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

diet resulted in an improved growth and significantly improved feed utilization, which were no longer significantly different from the results in the positive control. Also PER was significantly improved by adding bile salts, indicating that the energy in the diet is used in a more efficient way, making available more protein for tissue growth (Table 1, Figure 1,2&3). Although the different bile salt supplementations did not result in statistically significant differences, the addition of purified cholic acid and the bile salts from bovine origin showed numerically better performance in terms of growth (7-11%), FCR (4-5%) and PER (6%) compared to supplementing bile salts from pig.

Conclusions:

conversion and protein efficiency in white shrimp.

Adding bile salts to the diet lower in essential lipids restored the performance of the shrimp to the same level as the control diet with elevated levels of essential lipids.

This study indicated that the source and composition of the bile salt supplement may affect the performance in shrimp nutrition.

For more information: Alexander van Halteren*, Sam Ceulemans, and Peter Coutteau Nutriad International NV Belgium Email: a.vanhalteren@nutriad.com

Reducing the level of essential lipids including cholesterol, phospholipids and n-3 HUFA significantly affected growth, feed

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Keeping your fish ponds clean and healthy – the natural way Your fish are your livelihood, and keeping them in a clean and healthy environment is important to their growth and development.

But what is the best way to achieve this? The answer is simple: go all-natural. All-natural means you KNOW it’s safe. The same can’t always be said for chemical-based products.

Herbicides and algaecides are subject to registration, product testing, and a range of government restrictions that are intended to keep the public safe, but do they work?

Glyphosate, developed over 30 years ago and currently the world’s leading herbicide, has recently come under fire as a division of the World Health Organization gave the herbicide a group 2A carcinogen classification1. In their terms, glyphosate is ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. One would expect that after such a study is released, this product would be pulled off shelves and not produced any longer at least until further, more rigorous testing can be performed. Unfortunately, manufacturers of these products are in business to make money and reward shareholders.

The fact is, despite labels and testing and certification, we often don’t KNOW what impact these chemicals have on our children, pets, fish, animals.

And what we don’t know CAN hurt us. By developing an all natural program for your pond you can rest assured that you are doing what is best for you and your fish. It can also be safe, effective and affordable.

Developing a natural eco-friendly pond care system means: • Preventing excess nutrients from entering your pond • Treating the source of your pond’s problems and not the symptoms of the

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problem thus creating a balanced eco-system • Maintaining the healthy state of your pond With proper prevention, treatment and maintenance your pond will be clean and clear without the use of harmful chemicals.

Natural pond maintenance means that your pond will become continuously easier and less costly to treat every year. It also means that you will be reducing your nutrient pollution contribution to today’s fresh water environmental challenges.

Bacteria and enzyme products are natural, eco-friendly products. They are safe and easy to use and don’t require much in the way of safety wear. Typically, there is no applicators license required for these treatments. Using the right bacteria and enzyme product helps to breakdown and consume excess nutrients in the water.

There are aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; aerobic bacteria quickly break down suspended solids and nutrients, creating clean, clear water and anaerobic bacteria works at consuming accumulated pond sludge and muck. Look for blends that have both forms of bacteria in them.

Natural Pond Treatments Treat your pond with natural bacteria blends that are designed to consume the nutrients in the water that cause pond problems. We all know the world is made up of millions of bacteria forms and we are looking for the ones that help get ponds healthy and clean so make sure you are choosing a proven product. You want to look for a product that: • Is in a liquid form ideally because liquid form products typically will have high levels of active bacteria present • Some liquid form bacteria blends will contain enzymes in them making the solutions more effective and efficient compared to powder form. Enzymes break down organic matter so that the bacteria can consume the nutrients. Enzymes are critical in the natural process of cleaning up ponds.

They break down the organic matter (fertilizer, grass clippings, bird waste etc…) that enters the pond in a form that the bacteria can consume it. Bacteria excrete enzymes so without enzymes the bacteria have to search out broken down organic matter to consume before enzymes are introduced. This is not a very efficient process.

A less effective option that is still natural is pond dyes. They enhance the color of the water and can block out the sun’s rays thus reducing the amount of aquatic vegetation that grows in your water and helps keep the water a little cooler during the hotter seasons of the year.

What you want to avoid is dry bacteria products, as they do not contain active enzymes. Without enzymes the bacteria will need several weeks to produce the enzymes required to break down the organic matter present in a pond, so it takes much longer to be effective. Remember that all bacteria are not treated equally, so look for proven good quality products that have a good track record on the market.

Adding Aeration to your Pond Another best practice for environmentally sound pond management is to aerate the water. Add oxygen through aeration to: • Provide oxygen for aerobic bacteria • Aid in the breakdown of nutrients • Help to keep algae and weeds at bay • Vent foul odors and carbon dioxide • Lower risk of fish kill • Decrease insect larvae growth

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There are two main types of aeration systems: bottom-up aeration and surface aeration. Bottom-up aeration systems are designed to aerate water from the bottom of the pond. This is by far the most effective aerating method. Air is compressed into the airline and driven down to the bottom areas of the pond where airstone diffusers take the

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

compressed oxygen and turn it into thousands of tiny oxygen bubbles that dissolve directly into the pond body.

Dissolving oxygen into the water at the bottom of the pond allows the oxygen to more efficiently mix with the water and it provides a filtration system effect. As the oxygen bubbles (column) rises up through

the pond they pick up organic debris that is suspended in the pond body – thus burning off excess organic debris that causes pond stagnation, algae and weeds. The more time the oxygen has in the water the more efficient the dissolving process is, helping avoid fish kills and supporting an overall healthier eco system in the pond.

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Surface aeration is less efficient than bottom-up aeration for the oxygen that is added to the pond water, as it is derived only from the splashing of the water on the surface of the pond. Essentially, the splashing traps oxygen in the top 10-15 cm at the surface of the pond water. Decorative nozzles can be used to increase the oxygen capture and depth that the surface aeration will go down. The deeper the water splashes on the surface of the water then the better the oxygen penetration is which also helps with the circulation flow in the pond, however it will not get your pond healthy and clean!

3 Different Types of Bottom-up Aeration Systems Electric Aerators: A low-draw electric aerator might be right for you if: • Electricity within 2000 feet • Want to keep your pond open over winter • Need consistent aeration • Low to moderate wind or in a valley sheltered from wind Windmills: A windmill aeration system may be right for you if: • Moderate to high consistent wind • Eco-friendly, green energy • Require minimal to no maintenance and operating costs • Low to moderate winds • Like the windmill aesthetic Solar Aerators: A solar aeration system may be right for you if: • No access to electricity • Eco-friendly, green energy • Require minimal to no maintenance and operating costs • Low to moderate wind or in a valley sheltered from wind Typically, windmills are the longest lasting form of bottom up aeration, as they do not typically require motor replacements. DC motors on solar aerators tend to burn out more quickly and require replacement more frequently.

Maintenance is the key to natural pond care.

Manually remove unwanted aquatic vegetation by removing fallen leaves, weeds and algae with a specialized pond rake. Find a lightweight rake that includes a cutting head and removable floatation device. Plant removal is quicker and more effective than most people realize!

By developing an all-natural program for your pond and fish you will see benefits for years to come, with each year requiring less and less maintenance and manpower to achieve clean and clear water. Your fish will thank you!

Koenders Water Solutions Inc. is the innovator and world’s leading manufacturer of windmill aeration systems. The Company was founded in 1988 to offer farmers and pond owners environmentally friendly and cost effective solutions to keep pond water clean. Since this time, the company went on to design and manufacture Electric Aeration

Systems in the 1990's. Then continued on to innovate Pond Conditioners in the early 2000's. Working with a team of biologists and pond water application engineers, Koenders Water Solutions set out to design North America’s first all-inclusive chemical free pond conditioner; an “All-In-One” complete natural solution for the Pond Care market. The result of this effort is “Nature’s Pond Conditioner™” which was launched in 2007. Koenders' commitment to the environment, experience, and determination to change the way people care for their ponds has grown the business to over 80,000 customers spanning the globe.

Sources and further reading: 1. http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnew s/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf

For more information contact: Koenders Water Solutions Inc Web: www.koenderswatersolutions.com

Aquaculture will supply two-thirds of global fish consumption by 2030 Sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter Email us at seafood@nisamedia.com Source: World bank report

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

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The technology behind all freezing methods When it comes to determining the appropriate freezing equipment, most of the food processors find themselves confused in front of all the different choices available on the market. The purpose of this article is to be of use for the decision-makers in the food processing industry, by helping them realize the differences between various types of freezing techniques.

First of all, you have to consider the freezing time, since it’s a crucial parameter in the freezing process. The freezing

parameter lies in the fact that it’s used to decide the level of quality of the frozen product, as well as the operation costs.

The International Institute of Refrigeration has specified a number of factors that influence the freezing time which include the following: the shape and dimensions of the product, the in-feed and out-feed temperatures, the temperature of the refrigerating

reasons why specific products necessitate the appropriate freezing equipment, in order to obtain the most suitable freezing time and, of course, the optimal freezing results.

There are 9 main types of different freezing methods and most of them have more than one name:

The Air Blast Freezer or Cold Storage Freezer time represents the time interval necessary to decrease the temperature of the product’s thermal center to a specific temperature below zero. The importance of this

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

environment, the surface heat transfer coefficient of the product, the change in the total heat content of the system and the thermal conductivity of the product. These factors represent the

This is probably the oldest type of freezers, and it implies keeping the product in freezing storage rooms, where still or forced air is used as a medium. Still air freezer or cold storage is the simplest and the most

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affordable technique. It is suitable for large or unprocessed products; however, this is the slowest freezing method. In comparison, forced air freezers represent the improved version of cold storage and use convection to circulate cold air in the freezing room.

Unfortunately, the freezing time is also long, as the airflow is not efficiently controlled in the freezer, and this causes low surface heat transfer. Air blast freezers are currently used on a wide range of products, due to their significant low-cost price of production.

Alternatively, the product is placed on rack trays and is frozen inside the cold storage with the help of cold air circulation. The trolleys or racks can be moved and replaced manually or by specialized trucks.

aerodynamics, ripeness, firmness or the water content of the product will all influence the freezing result.

The advantage of an IQF freezer is its high air velocity which suspends the product in the cold air stream, and separately freezes each piece of the product without creating lumps. The IQF method is optimal for freezing unpacked, small items which tend to lump such as shrimp, peas, diced meat or diced/sliced fruits and vegetables. In addition, IQF is a very quick process which means that the dehydration of the product is minimal. There are several solutions in terms of bed types, ranging from plastic or wire conveyor belts to removable and perforated bed plates.

The Carton Freezer/ Box Freezer

The Immersion Freezer or Brine Freezer

Carton freezers or box freezers are mechanical freezers, based on a relatively simple freezing concept. Products already packaged and boxed are sorted, transported and stored mechanically in a storage with cold blasts of air. These boxes are then kept in the storage for a long time and are ultimately unloaded mechanically. The entire mechanism is automated and needs limited manpower; however, this freezing method is not suited for many types of products.

This freezing method emerges the product completely in a tank with a cooled freezing medium which can be chemicals or mixtures of salt or sugar. This is the fastest freezing method and it is commonly used as a pre-treatment of large products in order to create a frozen layer before the product is exposed to a longer freezing time. The problem with this freezing method is that the solution becomes quickly diluted in the product which can alter the process speed and the efficiency.

The Spiral Belt Freezer

The Plate Freezer or Block Freezer

In this case, the belt is bent around a central supporting structure, maximizing the belt surface in a limited space. The spiral belt freezer can be a good solution for gentle products as it minimizes product damage at transfer points; however, this freezing method still has the disadvantages of the belt.

This is the most used contact freezer and it implies pressing the product between two hollow plates with a refrigerant circulating inside them. However, this type of freezer is only suitable for regular shape products or small products block-frozen in a liquid (e.g. seafood). This freezing method is used as a first step in the processing of seafood as a fast freezing method for conservation purposes.

The Fluidized Bed Freezer or IQF Freezer (Tunnel Freezer) The fluidized freezer or IQF (individually quick freezing) uses a belt or a perforated bed on which the product is fluidized with strong vertical airflow coming from beneath the belt. Individually quick freezing represents the most complex freezing method on the market. IQF means that the product is not statically frozen, thus variables such as the shape of the product,

Aquaculture Scoop / September Issue 2016

The Impingement Freezer / Flat Product Freezer The impingement freezer is moving the product through the freezer on a belt or wire mesh while high-velocity air is blown on the product. This freezing method is most suitable for flat products such as hamburgers. However, this freezing method can be challenging for too big or too small products.

The Cryogenic Freezer This freezing method implies exposing the product to an atmosphere of approx. -60°C, in direct contact with liquefied gasses, usually nitrogen or carbon dioxide. There two main types of cryogenic freezers: the ones using immersion or dipping of the product into the medium and those which are spraying the medium on the product.

Both freezing methods continuously transport the product on a belt to the other end of the freezer.

For more information: Web: www.octofrost.com

The Contact Belt Freezer This freezing method implies the use of a single or double band on which the product is placed. The contact belt freezer is usually used for freezing thin product layers such as egg yolks, soups, fruit pulps, or other very soft products.

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Events in detail September VIV China 2016 6-8th September Beijing, China www.vivchina.nl/ Seafood Expo Asia 6-8th September Hong Kong www.seafoodexpo.com Aquaculture Canada and Cold Harvest 2016 Conference and Tradeshow 18-21st September Newfoundland, Canada http://www.aquacultureassociation.ca Aquaculture Europe 2016 20-23rd September Edinburgh, Scotland www.easonline.org/ Aquarama 2016 22-25th September Guangzhou, China www.aquarama.com.cn/ Humber Seafood Summit 28th September Grimsby, UK http://www.seafish.org/about-seafish/newsand-events/events/the-humber-seafood-summit Aqua Fisheries Myanmar 2016 28-30th September Yangon, Myanmar http://myanmar-aquafisheries.com/ October AquaSG 2016 19-21st October Singapore www.aquasg.com/ AquaSur 2016 19-22nd October Puerto Montt, Chile www.aqua-sur.cl/

March IssueIssue 20162016 Aquaculture Scoop / September

November Taiwan international Fisheries and Seafood Show 2016 9-11th November Kaohsiung, Taiwan https://www.taiwanfishery.com/en_US/inde x.html EuroTier 15-18th November Hannover, Germany www.eurotier.com/home-en.html

2017 January MVC Cereals-Mixed Feed Veterinary 2016 31st January – 2nd February Moscow Russia www.mvc-expohleb.ru/ February Aquaculture America 2017 19-22nd February San Antonio, USA www.was.org March VIV Asia 2017 15-17th March Bangkok, Thailand www.viv.nl

June Seafood Summit 5-7th June Seattle, USA www.seafoodsummit.org/ World Aquaculture 2017 26-30th June South Africa www.was.org July Asia Pacific Aquaculture 2017 25-27th July Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.marevent.com

August Aquanor 15-18 August Trondheim, Norway http://www.aqua-nor.no/?lang=en October Aquaculture Europe 2017 16-20th October Dubrovnic, Croatia www.easonline.org

2018 February

Seafood Expo North America 19-21st March Boston, USA www.seafoodexpo.com

Fish International 25-27th February Bremen, Germany www.fishinternational.com/en/

April AquaMe 10-12th March Dubai, UAE www.aqua-middleeast.com/ Seafood Expo Global 25-27th April Brussels, Belgium www.seafoodexpo.com

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