Book Information

Crustacean Farming

Ranching and Culture

Second Edition

By: John F Wickins and DANIEL LEE

Reviews

" ..the book is so much enlarged and improved, yet still retaining its accessability. This book is a "must-have" for anyone with an interest in Crustacea whether from biological or economic poi...

Description

Crustacean Farming: Ranching and Culture, Second edition.

John F. Wickins and Daniel O'C Lee.

The second edition of an extremely well-received book, Crustacean Farming, deals with all cultivated crustaceans of commercial significance, shrimp, prawns, crayfish, lobsters, crabs, and spiny lobsters, and examines the criteria by which both the feasibility and desirability of farming proposals are assessed. The characteristics and production methods of farmed and candidate crustacean species are described in sufficient detail to enable areas of profitable involvement to be distinguished form other opportunities presenting only very high risks and possibilities for serious loss. Coverage extends right from broodstock acquisition and management through to the operation of hatcheries, nurseries and on-growing units to key aspects of processing and marketing. New to this second edition are ranching and re-stocking operations together with the culture of ornamental shrimp and small crustaceans used as live food in fish and shellfish hatcheries. The sections on crustacean diseases, genetics and nutrition have been extended in the light of recent research advances.

Examples of investment and operating costs of the different culture options are compared and an analysis of current trends in world crustacean markets is presented to assist in economic and financial appraisal.

Special consideration is given to the place of crustacean farming within the economics of developing nations in relation to social and environmental impact in order to promote awareness of the wider implications of global developments.

The consequences of recent research and technical developments are considered, together with concerns over genetic and animal welfare issues. Specific areas where further advances in technology are needed to improve the reliability or productivity of farming systems are highlighted. This important book is a vital tool and reference work for all those involved with crustacean farming worldwide.

The Authors

John Wickins graduated in zoology at Southampton University in 1966. He then led research programmes on crustacean biology. Culture, recirculation systems and artificial habitats at the Conwy Laboratory of the Centre for Fisheries, Environment and Aquaculture Science (formerly Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) until the laboratory was closed in December 1999. Before taking early retirement, he was an honorary lecturer at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, and travelled widely on short-term advisory and assessment mission related to crustacean aquaculture.

Belfast-born Dan Lee became involved in commercial crustacean aquaculture in South America, initially as a biologist in Semacua, the first penaeid shrimp hatchery in Ecuador, and later as designer and technical manager of another Ecuadorian hatchery, Macrobio. Originally a graduate in zoology and marine biology at the University of Wales, Bangor, he returned to North Wales after five years and then worked on a series of shrimp hatchery and farm projects in Asia and Africa in the roles of research assistant, consultant and manger. He went on to gain MSc in project analysis, finance and investment at the University of York and remains active in commercial shrimp farming, currently from a base in the Caribbean.

TopTable of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction: History, Objectives, Current status, Advances and constraints
Biology: Terminology, Disease, Genetics;
Markets: Marketing crustaceans, World crustacean markets
Candidates for cultivation: Location, Broodstock, Larvae, Post-larvae and juveniles, On-growing, Comparison of species
On-growing options: Tropical climates, Warm temperate and Mediterranean climates, Temperate climates, Polyculture, Production of soft shelled crustaceans
Hatchery supported fisheries, ranching and habitat modification
Site selection: Country or region, Locality, Modifications to an existing facility
Techniques: Species and groups: Penaeid shrimp, Macrobrachium
Other caridean shrimps and prawns, Crayfish: USA, Europe, Australia, Clawed lobsters, Spiny lobsters, Crabs, Non-decapod crustaceans
Techniques: General, Materials: Pond design and construction, Pond management, Water treatment methods, Water quality tolerance, Monitoring water quality, Humane slaughter, Food preparation and storage, Disease diagnosis, transmission, prevention and control, Genetics, Hatchery supported fisheries, ranching and habitat modification
Project implementation and management: Conceptual phase, Validation phase, Detailed planning phase, Implementation phase, Food safety and HACCP, Management
Economics: Finance, Investment appraisal, Risk, Intensification, Costs
Impact of crustacean aquaculture: Social impact, Ecological impact, Environmental impact, Institutional interactions
The future for Crustacean farming: Introduction; Disease Management; Domestication; Reproduction; Nutrition; Effluents and environmental impacts; Stock enhancement; Production technologies; Ornamental shrimp; Non-decapod crustaceans
Appendix 1:Summary of biological data and examples of typical culture performance
Appendix 2:Shrimp counts
Appendix 3:Glossary.

Index

TopAbout the Author

John Wickins led research programmes on crustacean biology, culture, recirculation systems and artificial habitats at the Conwy Laboratory of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science from 1966 until its closure in December 1999.

Belfast-born Dan Lee initially worked as biologist, designer and technical manager of Ecuadorian shrimp hatcheries and later on commercial shrimp projects in Asia, Africa, and currently, the Caribbean. A graduate of the University of Wales, Bangor, he subsequently gained an MSc. in project analysis, finance and investment at the University of York.