Reference no: EM133392357

This kit will supply you with everything you will need to both grow the feed (algae) and the crustacean Artemia. Purchase this kit as soon as the course starts and when it is received begin the process of growing the algae right away. The purpose of this project is to both give you experience in growing an important crustacean live feed and to get you to practice writing an SOP or standard operating procedure. Standard Operating Procedures are common guidelines for aquaculture operations. Most facilities will have lists of SOPs or even their own manuals for technicians and employees to follow. Sometimes when you work at a facility, such as an aquarium, one of your first tasks will be to follow or update their SOPs. The kit will come with instructions, but ultimately I would like you to provide a guide for your peers on how to grow these organisms. You will need to provide a light source and water (spring water not distilled).

Instructions

To begin your SOP you will need to divide the task into the following sections:

Section 1. Algae Prep and Growth

• In this section you will begin writing your guide with a simple outline of how to culture the algae according to the kit. In this section you will also need to write a short summary paragraph of the relevance of a clean culture for algae and the role and usage of the algae Nannochloropsis in the aquaculture industry. Take a picture of your set up to include in your SOP.
• List the steps you took to prepare the algae growth media. Be very specific, including the type of water you used. Why would tap water or municipal water not be a good source? Why would seawater from a local estuary not be a good source? Try to think of the things that would be helpful for another person (co-worker, future student) to know about setting up the algae culture. To prepare you for this please read the following publication on types of aquaculture SOPsLinks to an external site.  and read chapter 9.2 from the textbook.

Section 2. Brine Shrimp Prep and Growth

• For this section you will describe the steps you took to set up the culture after the algae growth for the brine shrimp. Include instructions for someone hatching them in a larger system. For example, what aerator to use if scaling up? There are many publications that describe systems for the cultivation of this organism. Your job in this SOP is to describe this process in great detail as a how-to guide. Use the system you are culturing as an example. Take a picture of the set up and any modifications you made to the directions provided in the kit.

Sections 3. Significance to Aquaculture

• In this section, provide the following from research: What is the significance and relevance of culturing brine shrimp and microalgaes for aquaculture? Which sectors of the industry do they serve? Discuss the importance and provide examples of their integration into other aquaculture species culture. For example, describe the utilization of brine shrimp to feed larval species of fish or microalgaes to feed shellfish.

Section 4. Enrichments 

• In this section, research possible methods for enriching the brine shrimp. Brine shrimp have a low nutritional value and in order to increase their nutritional value they are often enriched with various supplements. Describe some possible enrichments that could be fed to brine shrimp to increase their nutritional value.