China is the worlds largest aquaculture producer, responsible for more than 60% of the total global production. Recent trends have been to increase imports as local production can not meet demand. It is my feeling that China will be taking another serious hit in terms of productivity in the near future due to their culture practices. Too many shortcuts, too many "experts" who learn by copying and not innovating and who do not see beyond their front doors.
Update: September 2011. Chinese shrimp farmers are experiencing several problems, although there is no information regarding the extent of the impact.
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Client: Hainan Quebec Sustainable Maritime Industries (HQSM)
Description: Publicly traded company involved in the production of a high quality farmed Tilapia and shrimp products produced on Hainan Island, China.
Services provided: ACC Certification (pre-certification visit) of seafood processing plant. Assisted in promotional efforts including FAQ for web site and several television interviews including one for (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G742GRlhN3U) Alexander Haig's World Business Review, evaluation of current status of organic aquaculture certification, review of tilapia genetics programs, review of the use of CO in Tilapia processing, review of tasteless smoke products, review of nutritional issues of farmed Tilapia, marketing issues and certification issues, pre-audits of processing plant, feed mill and visits to farms, determination of compliance with Monterrey Bay Aquarium guidelines, assisted president in various issues that related to nutraceutical business, etc.
Update September 2011: HQ was delisted by the NYSE and is now trading on the OTC for less than 15 cents a share. They are being sued for mismanaging investors monies and it is apparent the they never were what the purported to be. All I can say is that I saw their processing plant (which I was told by a third party that the only time is was busy was when there were visitors). All of my connections to them were severed in Feb 2010.
Client: Hainan Xiangtai
Description: The largest processor of Tilapia on Hainan Island. They are in the early stages of becoming vertically integrated and are acquiring their own farms to ensure access to product.
Service provided: Audited processing plant against ACC standards. Conducted a pre-audit of their Tilapia farm against the ACC standards to instruct them in what they needed to do to be compliant for the audit. The audit resulted in one minor NC which was easily rectified. Advised them as to possible problems with the audit standards shortcomings and long term risks to their shrimp and tilapia farming interests from biosecurity and standard weaknesses.
Client: Yelin Hoitat Quick Frozen Seafood Co. Ltd.
Description: Seafood processing plant located in SE China. Processing primarily on farmed shrimp at this time.
Service provided: Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC) audit of the seafood processing plant.
Client: Fuqing Yihua Aquatic Food Co. Ltd.
Description: Seafood processing plant located in SE China. Processing primarily farmed shrimp at this time.
Service provided: Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC) audit of seafood processing plant.
Client: Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Co. Ltd.
Description: Seafood processing plant located in SE China. Processing primarily farmed shrimp at this time.
Service provided: Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC) audit of seafood processing plant and farms. Farms are large intensive production producing more than 20000 MT a year from less than 1000 acres of ponds.
ACC certification auditing of processing plants.
Gallant Ocean (Nanhai) Ltd.
Shenzhen Allied Aquatic Produce Development Ltd.
Guangzhou Luxe Seafood Enterprises Ltd.
Savvy Seafood Inc.
XIHE Food Co. Ltd
Hainan Golden Spring Foods Co. Ltd.
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