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Title: SHRIMP CULTURE IN LOW-SALINITY WATER IN ARKANSAS

Author
item Green, Bartholomew - Bart

Submitted to: International Aquaculture Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/24/2003
Publication Date: 3/1/2004
Citation: Green,B.W.,Shrimp Culture In Low-Salinity Water In Arkansas.Aquaculture 2004 Book of Abstracts.p.237.

Interpretive Summary: Not required

Technical Abstract: Aquifers that contain low-salinity (0.5 ' 5 parts per thousand [ppt]) ground water are found throughout the southern United States, including in Arkansas. While farmers long have benefited from low-salinity ground water to control brown-blood disease in channel catfish production ponds, there is potential for using this same ground water to grow the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The Pacific white shrimp, grown throughout Latin America and now introduced into China, adapts to and grows well in low-salinity water. The potential for inland farming of the Pacific white shrimp in Arkansas derives from the availability of low-salinity ground water, farmer aquaculture expertise, available pond infrastructure, a good growing season, accessible processing infrastructure, and isolation from existing shrimp diseases. Low-salinity ground water in Arkansas is found primarily in the southeastern corner of the state, in Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Drew counties. This low-salinity ground water may have a different ionic composition than dilute seawater, and therefore require addition of deficient ions to ensure shrimp survival. Concentrations of the major ions in full-strength seawater (36 ppt), dilute seawater (1 ppt), fresh water, and ground water (average concentration and range) from Chicot County, Arkansas, are shown below. The status of shrimp farming in low-salinity water in Arkansas, which began in 2002, is reported. The research program on shrimp farming in low-salinity water conducted in Arkansas by researchers in the USDA Agricultural Research Service and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff also will be discussed.