TECHNICAL-ECONOMICAL PREFEASIBILITY OF INTENSIVE ARTEMIA CULTURE AT PILOT-PLANT SCALE

Abstract

Introduction:
Intensive shrimp culture is considered an important exportation source in Cuba, that’s why it is essential to increase this activity efficiency levels. Shrimp’s feeding consists mainly on artificial diets.
Objective:
To stablish the experimental conditions for technical-economical feasibility evaluation of intensive production of artemia biomass.
Materials and methods:
Experimental culture in volumes of three liters were carried out, and Chaetoceros gracillis micro-algae diet were supplied. Salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature were monitored. Individual size, food conversion factor and specific growth rate were determined as responses. Based on the experimentally obtained values a pilot plant was designed and its annual productivity was determined, according to living biomass and cyst production.
Results and discussion:
As results, 6.48 g of biomass were obtained with an specific growth rate of 0.26 mg of algae/mg of biomass. Food conversion factor was 30.5 years-1 and highest survival was 30%. Artemia biomass volumetric productivity was 112.10 mg/L day. The approximated investment cost was $ 7 235.89 and production costs were 461.69 $/year.
Conclusions:
The Net Present Value was $ 11 479.92, the internal return rate was 51 % and the investment recovery period was 2.59 years, that´s why the investment is feasibly considered.