News & Views
Hawaiian producer of shrimp broodstock re-enters Chinese market in wake of EMS crisis

Molokai Sea Farms International, a Hawaiian producer of SPF (specific pathogen free) shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) broodstock, is set to re-enter the Chinese market in 2014 in response to the early mortality syndrome (EMS) crisis in that Asian country. Molokai had lost the Chinese market to broodstock companies that had operations closer to China.

         “Broodstock production facilities in Hawaii implement different culture techniques,” explained Steve Chaikin in an email to Hatchery International. “We believe that our techniques produce broodstock that can compete favorably in the China market on quality, reproduction rates and growout. We look forward to cooperating in China to develop improved broodstock that will bring long term success for the industry.”

         Molokai expects to sell 6,000 to 7,000 pairs of broodstock to China in 2014, priced at $80 a pair with a 10% discount. Molokai also has a base on Hainan Island, China, for supplying seedstock.

Molokai Sea Farms

         Molokai Sea Farms produces their broodstock in outdoor earthen ponds unlike many other broodstock suppliers that use indoor tanks for the culture of their broodstock.

         “Our broodstock that are growing out in earthen ponds are subjected to a much wider range of conditions and stresses. We believe that the genetics of our stocks may be better suited to meet the challenges found in commercial grow out ponds in China,” Chaikin stated in his email. “Additionally the natural live feed found in our earthen ponds supplemented with commercial feeds provides a much more well balanced diet compared to the indoor tanks.”

         The company sells their broodstock of pathogen free shrimp to hatcheries worldwide in 20 nations. The Molokai shrimp developed from an improved strain of White Shrimp originating from the US department of Agriculture’s Shrimp Farming Program. The hatchery site is located on the southwest shore of the island of Molokai.

         The company’s products are also tested for white spot syndrome (WSSV), infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis virus (IHHNV), Yellow Head Virus (YHV), Infectious Myonecrosis virus (IMNV), Monodon Baculo Virus (MBV), Baculovirus Penaei (BP) and Taura Syndrome virus (TSV), according to the company’s website.

– Erich Luening