Shrimp production begins at Appling County High School

The students are involved with the production with five hundred fresh water shrimp. The shrimp that the students are working with are close relatives of the shrimp that swim in the ocean, but these shrimp live in a fresh water environment. ACHS students are raising their shrimp in a closed recycling tank system. When working with this type of system students are taught that water quality is critical.

Each day students must test the water for oxygen content, pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels. The students have discovered that the temperature of the water must be maintained at 80 degrees. Students learned that when the water temperature falls below 75 degrees that the shrimp will live, but will not consume feed and grow. Students working with the shrimp can clearly see and understand how chemistry, math and biology principles effect and play into everyday life. Technology plays a very large role in helping students test the water and maintain the environment for proper water quality and balance.

Students have developed a strong interest in the shrimp project and look forward to continuing on with its development. The students would like to thank Mr. Starr for his continued support and enthusiasm for the project. The fresh water shrimp project has partnered with White Water Aqua Farms and they have been providing tremendous amount of technical advice, knowledge and experience to enhance this project.