Client (Confidential)
A site assessment of land already owned by our client was conducted by AquaSol in 2015. The conclusion of the site analysis was that the topography, climate, and soil and water quality were all suitable for construction and operation of a shrimp farm at the selected site. One of the highlights of the site was the excellent elevation above sea level.
AquaSol was then contracted by the client in 2016 to recommend and develop operational and design and engineering plans for the proposed shrimp farm. While the abundance of land at this site and throughout Venezuela would have normally led us to recommend a semi-intensive shrimp farm, the low cost of energy in Venezuela and the desire for greater biosecurity ultimately led to our recommendation to develop an intensive shrimp farm.
Based on our preliminary production planning for the intensive shrimp farming operation, AquaSol simultaneously developed concept designs for the farm in accordance with current state-of-the-art for intensive shrimp farms, while also investigating and developing site specific innovations designed to maximize production and operational efficiencies.
Final concept designs for all required infrastructure including pump station, water distribution channels, shrimp nursery areas, growout ponds, pond effluent water channels, effluent treatment areas, and effluent water discharge features were all prepared and delivered to the client.
A stocking density of 130 animals per m2 was recommended and a maximum standing crop biomass of 2.1 kg per m2 was modeled. According to our farm design and production plans, we were able to realistically project nearly three crops per year, which is outstanding.
After concept designs were completed, AquaSol developed preliminary engineering works and drawings for all required infrastructure. Examples of related and additional work performed included developing mass balance equations and programs for determing critical parameters (e.g. BOD, nitrogen and phosphorus), hydraulic engineering works, equipment selection, and our engineers estimate of cost.
Some of the novel engineering concepts and engineering that arose out of this project included center drain octagonal growout ponds and a dual-purpose harvest basin and water discharge control system for the growout ponds.
The client's local engineers assumed responsibility for preparation of all detailed design and engineering work and were highly satisfied with both the quality and extent of the preliminary design and engineering plans delivered.
AquaSol is also assiting the Client in selection of the quarantine facility, nuclear breeding center (NBC), and shrimp hatchery sites. We are also developing strategic plans for prospective shrimp broodstock selection, quarantine of new broodstock, a shrimp genetic improvement program, shrimp maturation, and shrimp hatchery operations. AquaSol's landmark shrimp genetic improvement program has the potential to transform not only this project, but also Venezuela's entire shrimp farming industry, which has long suffered from a lack of new shrimp genetic material being introduced into the country.
A comprehensive and state-of-the-art biosecurity program was also developed and a biosecurity manual was prepared and controlled not only the integrated development plans but also all future operational plans across the entire company.
AquaSol has assumed a lead role in the management and development of the proposed project from the beginning and has worked in close cooperation with the local project manager representing the interests of the investor.
The next phase of the project is the construction of the first 192 hectares into a state-of-the-art intensive shrimp farm. Several future phases will follow.
