THE CULTURE OF BRINE SHRIMP (Artemia Salina) UNDER SEMI‐CONTROLLED CONDITIONS1

ABSTRACT During the summer of 1975 the authors cultured Artemia salina on the campus of Oregon State University in outdoor ponds. This prepilot production scheme was part of an attempt to analyze the economic feasibility of producing Artemia eggs under semi‐controlled conditions. Among the findings were the following: (1) Fertilizer may have an inhibitory effect on the excystment of Artemia eggs; (2) Algae, through absorption of metallic ions, may remove this inhibitory effect; (3) Metallic ions in the fertilizers may have no effect on Artemia after excystment; (4) The addition of NaCl to sea water is important in the culture of brine shrimp; (5) Artemia, in shallow ponds, can overwinter as adults and juveniles, surviving belowfreezing air temperatures. These findings are important in understanding the cost/volume relationships associated with brine shrimp aquaculture.