Operational at Last !!!!!

The past few months have seen several articles appear in various news outlets touting major breakthroughs in intensive shrimp production systems or in developing a recirculating system for shrimp aquaculture that has commercial merit. 


While I applaud the progress many within the research community appear to be making in improving aquaculture systems, I am some what bemused by the simple fact that upon examination of these recent "breakthroughs" none appear to achieved the objectives and performance metrics we achieved in our initial trials in Ocean Springs, Mississippi about 12 years ago.


In any event, our recently completed production facility in Texas is operational. 


Here is the announcement our CEO sent out to our investors yesterday. 

GREAT NEWS.  The facility in Port Isabel Texas passed inspection by Texas Park and Wildlife on the first review.  We were told that they were quite impressed with the facility and that the paperwork would be filed immediately to generate the permit giving us permission to bring in and stock the shrimp.  As soon as the permit number is generated (probably a few days) we can stock the shrimp.  The stocking water is being prepared and will be ready as soon as the permit number is received.

According to the local officials in Port Isabel, we pulled off a miracle in getting the site under contract, the facility constructed and the final permit for an "exotic species" issued in less than six months.  I think this is a testament to the team we have.  Everyone involved has done a fantastic job since day one.

We are on the verge of ushering a new era in aquaculture with our system.  We are working on the next level of expansion now that we have this initial piece done.

The photos attached show the greenhouse structure which is longer than a football field and almost as wide.  The "Action Photo" shows the inside of the greenhouse with the paddle wheels circulating the water.  This is about all the action you will see since everything takes place in the water.  Maybe we will see shrimp jumping closer to harvest time...

While the phrase "a new era in aquaculture" may be a bit overstated we are very excited that we are now operational with our system. If you have read my earlier blogs on the evolution of this project and the trials and tribulations of getting us to this point you are well aware that the system has always performed beyond our expectations, it was my choice of partners and business associates that has fallen short. 


So, as we head into the holidays we will be growing shrimp and hope to have our first partial harvest in February or March 2012. It may take a few production runs to reach our optimum performance levels but we will get there quickly. This single module should produce about 89,000 pounds of head on jumbo shrimp annually when operating at full capacity.


We have done all of this before on a much bigger scale with great success only to have ego and hubris (and greed) break apart the partnership. Our system grows shrimp to a larger size, in greater densities, with higher survival rates, faster then any current production system in the world for which we are aware. 


It is sustainable, environmentally friendly. It is a recirculating and bio-secure system. 


After the holidays I will be seeking the funding to build additional modules and expand our production facility. 


I will share a few pictures with you below.