1997 02 12 Wednesday No. : 03297
Oil prices will remain high during 1997 as a result of the increase in oil demand and growth in the world economy, according to the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, OAPEC. In its latest bulletin, OAPEC said that the positive indications that kept oil prices high include the increase of oil demand due to the cold winter in some parts of the world in addition to the continuation of the growth of the world economy.
It also pointed out that industrialised nations' oil stock-piles fell during the last year as a result of the cold winter which increased oil demand for fuel and heating systems. It added that the positive factors also include OAPEC's decision to freeze the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, member states' current production quotas and output ceiling at 25.023 million barrels per day until June 1997.
OAPEC also said that crude oil basket prices registered their highest level in October to reach $ 23.30 per barrel against $ 18.10 per barrel in January 1996 and $ 16.70 in January 1995, recording an increase of $ 6.60 per barrel. OAPEC expected that the world oil demand increase in 1997 would reach 73.7 million barrels per day, mbpd, compared with 71.8 mbpd in 1996.
According to the bulletin, the average oil supply for 1997 would increase by 200,000 bpd over the average oil demand and expected that the world oil demand during 1997 would reach 73.7 mbpd. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
SHRIMP CULTURE SET FOR TAKE-OFF IN UAE
Shrimp culture on a commercial scale will soon become a reality in the UAE. This optimism is derived from the 100.0% success rate reported in a recent shrimp culture programme conducted on an experimental basis at the Marine Resources Research Centre, MRRC, of the Ministry of Agriculture and fisheries in Umm al Qaiwain.
Speaking to the Khaleej Times, Dr A. Abdulrazzak, Director of the Fisheries Department at the Ministry, said the experiments conducted over the past two years at the centre had recorded encouraging results, with shrimp production ranging from one to three tonnes per hectare per batch. "The survival rate and size of shrimps has also been highly encouraging," he added.
Dr Abdulrazzak said the MRRC is now geared to offer technical assistance to the private sector for setting up shrimp culture projects in the country. "However, the Ministry will require a technical and economic feasibility report from organisations before technical guidance in shrimp culture can be extended to them," he said.
Earlier, the Centre's only success in this area had been in the production of larvae from brood shrimps (mother shrimps), said Dr Abdulrazzak. As per the observations of the experiments, two species - Penaeus semisulcatus (green tiger shrimp) the most common and commercially important local species, and Penaeus indicus (white tiger shrimp), a species brought from Saudi Arabia - can now be cultured commercially in the UAE in specially-designed shrimp culture ponds.
These shrimps can achieve a body-weight of 10.0 grammes in three months and 20.0 grammes in six months, indicating a high feed-to-growth conversion ratio. 'Feeding the broodstock with certain invertebrates, worms and bivalves, in addition to manufactured feed, is recommended for these species," Dr Abdulrazzak said.
He added that the survival rate in the hatchery at the centre has now increased to anywhere between 30.0% - 60.0% for Penaeus semisulcatus, (PS) and about 30.0 to 55.0% for Penaeus indicus, (PI).
According to Dr Abdulrazzak, the spawning season recorded for PS is from October to July and for PI is is from April to June, as well as from October to December. "This is because the low temperature and low water salinity are suitable for successful breeding," he said. During these months, salinity of water in the UAE is about 39.0 to 42.0 parts per thousand, ppt, while water temperatures range from 17.0 degrees to 33.0 degrees Celsius, he explained.
Currently, the UAE market is flooded with shrimps imported from Oman, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the reason being the Government's declared moratorium on fishing for shrimps in UAE waters. "Fishermen are banned from using trawlers and traditional equipment such as wire traps and nets necessary for catching shrimps, since they damage the seabed and destroy the deep sea natural habitat," Dr Abdulrazzak said.
However, once the private sector comes forward to set up commercial shrimp projects in the country, locally cultured shrimps will dominate the market. "They will fetch a price similar to, or slightly more than, that of their competitors since the catch will be marketed as fresh, and not frozen, produce," stated the Director. (The Khaleej TImes)
LIST OF DWTC EXHIBITIONS FOR 1997
As a special attachment to this bulletin today, (FAXED VERSION ONLY) there will follow three (3) pages of lists giving details of the forthcoming exhibitions and trade events which will be taking place throughout 1997 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC.
E-MAIL SUBSCRIBERS: For queries or requests for further information about any of these DWTC happenings, contact the DWTC itself on (00)-971-4-321-000 or fax (00)-971-4-306-4089 or (00)-971-4-318-034.