According to the Brazilian association of shrimp producers, small shrimp farms account for more than 80% of all shrimp producers in Brazil. Due to concerns regarding the sustainability of aquaculture and the development of new technologies compared to traditional cultivation systems, research has been initiated to reduce water use to make stewardship of water resources more sustainable. In this context, super-intensive production systems have been gaining quite a reputation in aquaculture production, especially in shrimp farming: the biofloc system (BFT) and synbiotic system. The Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) has been an innovator in these new production technologies. As production protocols and regimes are refined, interest has been rising in the commercial sector.
To meet this need, extension and outreach programs are necessary to transfer aquaculture production technology to commercial producers. Funding was secured through the Tankersley Endowment at Auburn University (AU) for an international collaboration with FURG to carry out the following objectives: 1) Evaluation of super intensive shrimp culture in biofloc systems with different bacterial aggregates; 2) Intensive shrimp culture in symbiotic systems at different stocking densities; 3) Validation of results in a production demonstration unit and concluding with a Field Day at FURG for local stakeholders and the commercial aquaculture sector. To ensure participants shared the same baseline knowledge, at the onset of the project a workshop week was organized to standardize training. During this workshop, participants learned how to initiate and establish a biofloc system, as well as how to monitor biofloc using an Imhoff cone. Hands-on activities included biofloc evaluation and estimating feed rate based on species and stocking density.
Participants also calculated the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio and the amount of carbon source needed to maintain proper system balance. Additional exercises included managing key water quality parameters such as pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia/nitrite levels.
At the end of the project, a Field Day was planned, with approximately 80 participants including farmers, local stakeholders, students, and professors. Activities included lectures on entrepreneurship, a detailed presentation about Auburn University’s mission, and highlights of extension projects and faculty engaged in international research collaborations. Participants also assisted with the harvest of one of the greenhouse shrimp production units, including bagging and distribution of the product to the local community. The impact of this work included optimization of production techniques for shrimp culture and practical demonstration and training of local small-scale shrimp producers in southern Brazil.