The two most important hatcheries from which the company
purchased juveniles (hereafter called fingerlings) were surveyed.
Data on feed consumption was collected for both fingerlings and
broodstock fish, the male and female adults that produce offspring.
Additives included medicines, probiotics, nutrients and products
for pond and water treatment. For easy access to water, hatcheries
and farms were located along the Mekong river’s distributaries.
Transportation of water could be conducted either by pumping or
(where possible) by tidal force, depending on the location in theMekong Delta. Tidal-forced transport of water was used whenever
possible to reduce costs. The water in the ponds was exchanged for
renewal on a regular basis. Electricity was used for lights and
pumps. Diesel pumps were sometimes used instead of electric
pumps. Sludge formed by uneaten feed and fish faeces accumulated
on the bottom of the ponds. It was considered as a byproduct
because it was pumped from the ponds and used as fertiliser on
agricultural land.