Status of Artemia production in the coastal salt works of India M. Peter Marian 1,2 M. Michael Babu 1,2, T.S Christopher Roy 1 1 Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, ICAS, M.S University, Mountview Campus, Rajakkamangalam, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, South India 2 Institute for Artemia Research and Training, M.S University, Rajakkamangalam, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, South India Abstract Salt works in India occupies 1,77,096 ha area in the km coastline. Salts have been produced by the traditional methods and the production is about 129 tonnes/ha/yr. Of these, 70% salt works receive salt water from the ocean for salt production. Biological management of the salt works improves the salt quality and quantity. Due to the low income from the salt works several salt workers/salt works companies interested in the vertical integration of Aquaculture. (Artemia and Shrimp) and salt production. This paper describes the status of India in connection with the Artemia production in the east and west coast of India. Various companies involved in the Artemia production and their production- the role of the Government especially the salt and commerce (Marine Product Export Development Authority) departments on the production aspects of Artemia is also discussed.

Salt works in India : area 1,77,096 ha Total coastal length: 7516 Km Salt Production :129 tonnes / ha/yr Unutilized salt works: 46 % Sea water using area : 70 % salt quality is 82 to 96 % Na Cl Income – very low due to mono salt farming; Awarnes after 1992 for integrated aquaculture and salt farming

Salt workers go for integrated farming Reasons Salt quality is so poor - 82 to 96 % Na Cl Toxic Chemicals in sea water : > heavy metals Hg Pb, Cu etc * Studies in Tuticorin have been carried out since exact data are not given Organic materials are also high Knowledge on the biotechnology of Artemia/bacteria ( Awarnes after 1992 for integrated aquaculture and salt farming ) Income – very low due to mono salt farming;

Salt works involved in the Integrated Artemia farming 1. TATA Chemicals Ltd – Gujarat 2. Balarpur Industries _ Gujarat 3. Delphin Aqua Salt Company- Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu 4. DCW Ltd, Sahupuram, Tamil Nadu 5. NI Salt Works Ltd, Puthalam, Tamil Nadu

Salt purification using Biotechnological principle- ongoing Trial research projects are being conducted to study the effect of two extremophile organisms on quality salt production in DCW Ltd salt works. Artemia franciscana and Halophilic bacteria Halobacterium spp are used in the condenser ponds and found over 40 % improvement in the salt purity compared to the control ponds Plasmids were isolated, cloned into halophilic bacteria and their roles are being studied

Microbial and bio medicinal products for feeding Artemia Marine yeasts are raised on the coconut waste water medium and the sugar industry products,molases Bio medicinal products having tonic, growth promoting, aphrodiasic, antimicrobial and immunostimulants are used and mixed with marine macro algae (Ulva sp) along with rice bran and found as very good growth promoting feed for the Artemia. The pond water fertilized with urea and superphosphate. Trial experiments started in September 2001 started yielding of regular harvest of 0.5 Kg. dry cysts per day commenced from January 2002 onwards in 7 ha area pond.

BRINE CONCENTRATION AT VARIOUS PONDS POND NO CONCENTRATIO N POPULATIONCYST PRODN 160 ppt> 20 millionNot much 265 ppt> 20 millionNot much 370 ppt> 20 millionOccational 475 ppt> 20 millionOccational 580 ppt> 20 millionOccational 685 ppt> 20 millionOccational 790 ppt> 20 millionRegular 895 ppt> 20 millionRegular 9100 ppt> 20 millionRegular ppt> 20 millionRegular ppt> 20 millionRegular ppt> 20 millionRegular ppt> 20 millionRegular

Place Cyst diameter (µm) Nauplii length (µm) Hatchi ng (%) HUFA (mg/g) Prote in (%) Tuticori n 221 – – – – 59 TATA Chemic als 224 – – – – 62 CYST PRODUCTION IN OTHER INDUSTRIES ADOPTED TO PRODUCTE IN LARGE SCALE

Water quality parameters of 0.1 ha ponds – Delphin Aquasalt Company, Tuticorin 0 ParametersRangeMeanS. D. Temperature ( 0 C) 30 – Salinity (ppt)80 – Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 1.5 – pH8.0 –

Characteristics of Artemia cysts produced in the salt pond (0.1 ha) of Delphin Aquasalt Co. S. NoCharacteristicValue 1.Cyst diameter (µm)221 ± 18 2.Cyst (no./mg)274 ± Hatching percentage (%) 31.8 ± Individual cyst dry wt. (µg) 2.4 ± Nauplii length (µm)396 ± 21

Production of Artemia cysts in the experimental salt pond (0.1 ha) of Delphin Aquasalt Company, Tuticorin Inoculation July 15, 1994 YearMonthkgkg/ha 1994September October-- November-- December January February--

Manure and feed application in 0.1 ha pond of Delphin Aquasalt Co., Tuticorin Inorganic manure Urea DAP 30 1/15 Organic manure Cow dung Chicken manure /15 ManureQuantity (kg/ha)Frequency (time/days) Feed Rice bran 40 1/10

Characteristics of the Artemia culture pond of TATA Chemicals Ltd. Area (ha)10 Water depth (meter)1 Water temperature (0C)25 – 33 Salinity (ppt)75 – 200 pH7.2 – 8.4 Oxygen (mg/l)2.8 – 5.6 Transparency (cm)~20

Salinity levels of the 10 ha Artemia culture pond of TATA Chemicals Ltd. Month January75 – – 135- February100 – – – 130 March120 – – – 135 April110 – – – 135 May150 – – 150 June110 – – 170 July160 – August160 – September155 – October157 – November--- December

Fertilizers applied (kg/ha) in the 10 ha salt ponds of TATA Chemicals Ltd. During the experimental period of 1993 – 1995 Fertilizers / Lime Lime*--30 Organic manure Chicken manure Inorganic manure DAP Urea * Lime was applied based on the pH of the water. Organic manure was applied based on the productivity (~20 cm) was maintained.

Artemia cyst production in the 10 ha salt pond of TATA Chemicals Ltd. Year Inoculate d cyst kg (dry wt.) Harveste d cyst kg (wet wt.) Yield / 10ha/mon th kg (Wet wt.) Yield processed kg (dry wt.) (kg/10ha/ month)

Production of Artemia cyst in 10 ha salt ponds of TATA Chemicals Ltd. Month JanuaryIno42.5- February-17.5Ino March April May June July--- August--- September3.0-- October5.8-- November--- DecemberIno--