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Tilapia & Shrimp: Crop Rotation |
The risk of the mono-culture Shrimp industry:
During the past 30 years, Shrimp aquaculture was proven to be very
profitable, but has emerged as unreliable and unstable practice in many
instances, due to susceptibility to infections and diseases, including the
White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). This virus caused devastating destruction
in Shrimp industries everywhere, with no apparent solution.
Why is conventional Shrimp aquaculture risky?
Most Shrimp companies use technology and production systems, as developed in
Ecuador during the 1970’s. The design is based on use of very large and
shallow ponds, with very low water exchange of 8-12% per day and no
aeration, to raise a single Shrimp crop, which dwells and crawls on the
bottom of the ponds. As a result, the water volume remains unoccupied and
the ecological conditions are unstable, affecting Shrimp growth. The vastness
of the pond, and the lack of aeration and sufficient water, leave the
production manager without proper means to control and regulate the
production ponds, leading to crop deterioration and financial losses.
Introduction of Tilapia into Shrimp ponds
APT proposes Crop Rotation of Tilapia and Shrimp. Tilapia can be introduced
into the Shrimp system in two ways:
(1) Shrimp and Tilapia poly-culture:
Tilapia can be raised
simultaneously together with Shrimp in the same pond. Each crop organism
occupies a different ecological niche within the pond. Tilapia grows in the
water volume while Shrimp dwell at pond bottom. The relationship is not
competitive (on feed and territory), but compatible. It has been shown
conclusively that stocking Tilapia in Shrimp ponds enhances Shrimp growth
efficiency.
(2) Shrimp and Tilapia crop rotation:
In cases of severe epidemic
infections in Shrimp, you can stock Tilapia in Shrimp ponds, instead of
Shrimp. The practice of Crop Rotation is key in successful agriculture, as
means to avoid epidemic infections. Crop rotation between Tilapia and Shrimp
is an essential component of combating epidemic viral episodes, such as the WSSV.
APT offers complete technology package for the
integration of Tilapia in Shrimp ponds
• High salinity strains of
Tilapia
brood stock for independent
supply of Tilapia fry on site.
•
Complete Technology Package
for Tilapia
production.
• Adjustment of Shrimp production schedules to include Tilapia stocking.
• Optimization of Shrimp-Tilapia production plan.
• Training by qualified technicians.
• Feeding of Shrimp and Tilapia ponds.
• Design of Tilapia fry production system.
• Special
equipment for Tilapia stocking, production,
harvesting and processing.
• Shrimp and Tilapia
Processing Plant.
APT offers new engineering concepts for partial modification in
your Shrimp farm, in order to modernize and adjust your Shrimp farm into a
multi-species aquaculture production system.
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