Effect of Color and Mesh Size on Growth Performance and Net Fouling of Suspended Hatchery Trays for Crassostrea belcheri (Sowerby 1871) Oysters

The effects of mesh size and color on growth performance and net fouling of suspended plastic mesh trays during nursery culture of spat and juvenile hatchery-reared tropical oysters, Crassostrea belcheri (Sowerby 1871), was studied for 60 days. Mesh diameter significantly affected the absolute growth rate in shell width, the specific growth rate, and the final survival of smallspat (p0.05) on the growth performance of large spat. There were no significant interactive effects between mesh size and color on growth performance of small or large spats. Mesh size and color significantly affected (p0.05) on the fouling rate for either small or large spats

Post-tsunami rehabilitation of fish cage farms on the Andaman coast of Thailand

A post-tsunami rehabilitation of cage culture along the Andaman Sea coast of Thailand was carried out in five provinces (Ranong, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang and Satun) from September 2007 to February 2008. Based on the survey conducted, the money compensated subsequently used to buy materials for cage re-construction and cage repair accounted for 28.1% of the total, and to buy seed, feed and chemicals for culture operations, 15.8%. A surprising finding is that 56.1% of compensated money was used for other purposes. The analysis showed that the quality and quantity of equipment, seeds and feeds invested in aquaculture farms were increased in comparison with the pre-recovery period. Importantly, the farm area, growth rate, amount of product and revenue were improved during the post-tsunami rehabilitation period. Additionally, the area and quality of houses, household consumption, household infrastructures, health care and education were also improved. The satisfaction level of cage farmers in regard to the recovery programs was high (weigh average index = 3.88). The results from this study showed that the net economic profit (NEP) achieved was 41,030.49 baht/crop (33.9 baht = 1 US$) for sea bass culture, while NEP for grouper culture was 59,529.98 baht/crop. The result from the present study indicated that the economic value of cage culture farms was profitable. However, the seed shortage, high cost of trash fish, disease outbreak and marketing were among key problems and constraints encountered. In this study, we also found that the knowledge about fish marketing and culture techniques was poor. Therefore, technical, marketing and financial support are required for the future