[RML] brine shrimp

Steven Halbasch (halbasch at ES.COM)
Mon, 9 Dec 1996 08:16:59 -0700

The final results are in regarding the emergency closure of the brine shrimp
harvest on the Great Salt Lake. The local newspaper ran a story on the brine
shrimp harvest and reported that almost 15 million tons of eggs were harvested.
The harvest was only 70,000 pounds short of last years harvest. Last years
harvest was a record high. In the article it was mentioned that there may be a
glut in the market this year as the asian prawn growers have had a virus or
some other disease invaded their fish farms. Fewer prawns to feed and fewer eggs
are needed.

The reason for the emergency closure is to protect the brine shrimp population.
The shrimp when it has good temperatures and large amounts of algae (food) bears
live young and does not lay eggs. The concern is that as more eggs are harvested
there are fewer shrimp the next year. Fewer shrimp and more algae means less
eggs. Nasty cycle.