Mass production strategy of Copepods for live feed industry
Methods to cultivate live feeds in large amount have been an issue in aquaculture industry. Different farming activity will require different volume of live feeds to maintain their larval survival rate. This issue was referred to INOCEM Research Station (INOCEM) by our industrial partner, Flexi...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Knowledge Transfer Programme © Knowledge Transfer Centre
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/59403/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/59403/1/59403_Mass%20production%20strategy%20of%20Copepods_complete.pdf |
| Summary: | Methods to cultivate live feeds in large amount have
been an issue in aquaculture industry. Different
farming activity will require different volume of live
feeds to maintain their larval survival rate. This issue
was referred to INOCEM Research Station
(INOCEM) by our industrial partner, Flexible Tech
Sdn. Bhd. (FTSB). Meetings were set to discuss on
our collaboration target to increase the production of
an important live feed, harpacticoid copepods to
meet the aquaculture demand. The aim of this paper
is to discuss the best strategy for copepod mass
production for the industry. A pilot plant for copepod
production in large scale was established in Bukit
Gambir Industrial area that could accommodate 30
stacked racks with a total of 10 copepod production
trays each. The production system was designed to
produce about 10millions of copepods per cycle. Two
Graduate Intern students (GIs) were working handin-
hand with staffs from FTSB to maintain and
monitor the copepod culture as well as surveying the
market demand. Monthly meetings were chaired by
FTSB to improve the production and marketing
strategy. It was found that copepods are preferred by
those aquarium industrial players (particularly the
coral and ornamental fish shops) than the common
aquaculture farmers. Different production and
packaging techniques were used; tray and small
containers for farm and aquarium shop respectively.
Replication of system and production timing was
found to improve the production volume. GIs were
guided to deal with the potential buyers to ensure for
their continued demand for supply. Generally, poor
knowledge affect the acceptance level of aquaculture
players on the use of copepods as live feed, thus
influence the business performance of the company.
Appropriate production and marketing strategy
would overcome the issue and increase in sale. |
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