Project Title

Advanced Studies in Pond Culture- Keys to Success for Sustainable Artemia Farming

Project Partners

University of  Ghent and Can Tho University

Funding Sponsor

VLIR-UOS -Belgium

Budget

91,900 EUR

Project Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Bossier, Peter

Local Coordinator

Prof. Nguyen Anh Tuan

Project Period

July 2012 – July 2016

Overall Objective

Understanding nutrient dynamics in Artemia ponds with the aim to minimize input (e.g. fertilizer, supplementary food) but maximize out-put (biomass/cyst production) and to ensure environmental protection

Specific Objectives

• Understanding C, N, P dynamics in Artemia culture system.

• Understanding the roles of bacteria and bio-flocs in the Artemia culture system.

• Appropriate management of algae in Artemia culture system.

• Output of project on socio-economical aspcets in the study regions.

• Upgrading of expertise of CTU staff through adequate training programme.

Activities

• Study on N transformation rates and N bio-availability in water column and sediments; N uptake from pond water to biota; and fluctuation of C/N ratio in the Artemia culture system.

• Measuring P-speciation in different aquatic culture systems of varying salinity with the application of state-of-the-art methods.

• Study on C transformation rates and C bio-availability in water column and sediments and fluctuation of C/N ratio in the Artemia culture system.

• Investigrate effect of salinity and C/N ratio on bacteria and bio-flocs in the water column in the Artemia culture system.

• Assess qualitative and quantitative of phytoplankton in Artemia culture system by N, P manipulation of N, P.

• Organise field demonstrations with new technologies (application of biofloc in Artemia culture and 2-3 training courses for Artemia farmers.

• Evaluate socio-economic aspects.

 Outputs

• Report on dynamics of N, C, P in Artemia culture system;

• Report on bacteria, bio-flocs in Artemia culture system;

• Protocol of bio-floc management in Artemia culture;

• Report on micro-algae in Artemia culture system;

• Report and protocol of micro-algae management in Artemia culture

• 10-20 local Artemia farmers attending demonstrations;

• 50-100 Artemia farmers attending training courses;

• Report on socio-economic aspects of applying new technologies.

• Project-related activities post-project through diverse initiatives (governmental, cooperative, private sector)

• 1-2 CTU staff members every year through short term training courses or PhD at Ugent.

• 5-6 CTU staff member through Master of Science in Aquaculture at CTU.

• 15-20 by training 3-4 CTU students through Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture at CTU.

• 2-4 Ugent students to fulfill their internship courses/theses in Master of Science in Aquaculture.

• 3-5 papers (Vietnamese journal)

• 2-3  papers (international journal)

• Final scientific report

• Financial report

Project website