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A simple and efficient cooling method for post-harvest transport of the commercial crayfish catch
Jussila J, Tiitinen V, Fotedar R and Kokko H 
Published Online: 2/15/2013
Abstract
Factors affecting post-harvest survival were investigated for the signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), catch during onboard transport and subsequent holding at a land storage facility. Based on those results, an onboard transport method was developed. The research and development project was carried out during July, August and September 2010 – 2011 on Lake Saimaa, Finland. The investigation showed that critical factors for survival were air temperature during onboard transport and water temperature during trapping of signal crayfish. To minimise onboard transport stress caused by the elevated temperature and resulting decrease in survival, several transport methods were tested. The commercial catch of signal crayfish was monitored over an entire day and a newly developed, rapid cooling method was compared to existing conventional onboard cooling systems used during transport. When the crayfish catch was rapidly cooled from ambient temperature (20 – 26°C) to 5 – 7°C, it resulted in 100% survival of the crayfish during transport. The improvement in catch survival was estimated at 10%, compared to the conventional transport methods when the holding facility mortality was taken into account. The improved cooling system during boat transport consisted of cooler boxes equipped with -20°C cooling units on the bottom, a mesh to prevent crayfish from being in contact with frozen material and a plastic bag to ensure a cool and moist environment during onboard and road transport.
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How to Cite
Jussila J, Tiitinen V, Fotedar R and Kokko H. (2013). A simple and efficient cooling method for post-harvest transport of the commercial crayfish catch. Freshwater Crayfish 19(1):15-19. doi: 10.5869/fc.2013.v19.015
Author Information
Japo Jussila,* Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, Kuopio, Savo, Finland70211. E-mail: japo.jussila@uef.fi
Vesa Tiitinen, Fish Department, South Karelian Fisheries Advisory Center, Hietakallionkatu 2, Lappeenranta, Etelä-Karjala, Finland53850. E-mail: vesa.tiitinen@ekkalatalouskeskus.fi
Ravi Fotedar, Department of Environment & Agriculture, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 , Perth, Western Australia, Australia6845. E-mail: r.fotedar@curtin.edu.au
Harri Kokko, Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, Kuopio, Savo, Finland70211. E-mail: harri.kokko@uef.fi
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 9/29/2012
Manuscript Accepted: 1/24/2013
Published Online: 2/15/2013
Published in Print: 2/15/2013
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.