Brine shrimp are crucial for the global aquaculture industry, which supplies nearly half of the world's seafood. In Uzbekistan’s Aral Sea region, ongoing dessication may increase salinity levels beyond even the capacity of the wild brine shrimp fishery to survive. Scientists are working with brine shrimp fishers to experiment with the farming of brine shrimp in small ponds. Despite the Aral Sea's continuing decline, this initiative may help sustain aquaculture by providing a new source of brine shrimp cysts, vital for feeding farm-raised fish and prawns. Learn more about this development in an article by Levi Bridges at theworld.org.
This FAO publication on brine shrimp is a manual for all those who are using Artemia or have an interest in this organism, whether as a source of live food in the hatchery, as a model organism in research, or for other purpose. It is intended for those who wish to update their knowledge on its biology, production or its use, but also for those who want to learn about Artemia for the first time. This manual presents in a concise form essential information on Artemia biology and the most important natural cyst resources that find their way to the aquaculture market. It also provides detailed information on general principles and practical procedures to produce Artemia in ponds and in tank systems. Finally, the manual offers a compilation of state-of-the-art guidelines and methodologies related to the use of this crucial live food organism in aquaculture.
A training project addressing Artemia management and conservation from hydrological, biological, ecological, aquaculture, wildlife and legislative perspectives will be held in Rome, Italy, from 2-6 September 2024. The training is being organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), with the financial support of the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) and the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences (RAOS), in cooperation with the International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium (IAAC). The project will address hydrological, biological, ecological, aquaculture, wildlife and legislative aspects of Artemia management and conservation.
The 8th fish and shellfish larviculture symposium (larvi '24) will be held in Ghent University, Belgium, from 9-12 September 2024. Capitalising on the previous “larvi” symposia (in ’91, ’95, ’01, ’05, ’09, ’13, ‘17), the Aquaculture R&D Consortium of Ghent University, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and SINTEF Ocean have joined again in the organizing committee for “larvi’24” and are inviting the academic as well as the private sector to attend the 8th Fish and Shellfish Larviculture Symposium. Bringing together European and non-European stakeholders, once again the latest progress in academic research and in the production sector will be reviewed, problems identified and avenues for future collaboration explored. Please download the 2nd announcement and programme for further information.
The first International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium conference will also be held in conjuction with larvi '24, on 9 September. See you there!
Hakai Magazine has just published a new article by Paul Greenberg: As the waters of Utah's Great Salt Lake recede, a dedicated group of locals is on a mission to safeguard its unique ecosystem and vital brine shrimp fishery. With half the lake already perilously low and the other half at risk of following suit within the decade, urgency permeates every aspect of their efforts. From conducting crucial research expeditions to implementing stringent management practices, these individuals navigate the strange, saline waters to ensure the survival of not just the brine shrimp but also the diverse entities that thrive in this extraordinary environment. Dive into the heart of their endeavor as they race against time to preserve a sanctuary threatened by the relentless march of climate change.
The technical proceedings of two historical brine shrimp symposiums (Corpus Christi USA, 1979 and Antwerp Belgium, 1987) have been digitised by the Flanders Marine Institute, and are available for free download. The proceedings are:
1. The brine shrimp Artemia: Proceedings of the International Symposium on the brine shrimp Artemia salina, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, August 20-23, 1979, and 2. Artemia research and its applications: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on the brine shrimp Artemia, Antwerp, Belgium, 1987.
An article by Leia Larsen and Levi Bridges for the Great Salt Lake Collaborative describes the role that brine shrimp play in supporting global food networks. The Great Salt Lake remains the world's larges single source of brine shrimp cysts, but water levels are at an historic low.
Artemia is a critical food resource for the hatchery production of larval fish and crustaceans, underpinning around 10 million tonnes of aquaculture produce per year. The Great Salt Lake, Utah, provides around 40-45% of world Artemia cyst supplies. A video report by KSL TV5 discusses the conservation and management of the Great Salt Lake and its role in global food security.
From 11-13 July 2023, the first "Sustainable Development and Utilisation of Artemia Resources" training course was successfully held in Tianjin, China. The training course was organised by the Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center (ARARC), with the support of the Artemia Association of the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance.
The course contains theoretical, practical, and operational training on Artemia cyst processing and quality control, effective utilisation of Artemia as live food in hatcheries, and Artemia pond culture techniques, aiming to promote the sustainable exploration of Artemia resources and their application in larviculture. Nearly one hundred trainees from over thirty enterprises, institutes, and universities across the country participated in the training. The comprehensive coverage of the training course was well recognised by the trainees.
The first conference of the International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium will be organized on September 9, 2024 in Ostend, Belgium. The 8th International Fish & Shellfish Larviculture Symposium - Larvi ’24 - will be organised at the same venue in Ostend from 9-12 September 2024.
A more detailed first announcement with call for presentations will be mailed in the first week of October 2023. A preliminary website has been opened where you can register your interest to participate in this event.
The seminar was held on 28 July 2023 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in conjunction with the first meeting of the International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium Steering Committee. Video recordings of the technical presentations are available in this collection.
Presentation by Simon Wilkinson, Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, at the Seminar on Artemia Research and Production, 28 July 2023, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Presentation by Prof. Yeong Yik Sung, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, at the Seminar on Artemia Research and Production, 28 July 2023, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
