Tzachi Matzliach Samocha

Professor
E-mail: samocha@falcon.tamucc.edu 

Contracts & Grants
Publications
Technology Transfer
Conference Participation

1969 Bachelor of Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
1972 Master of Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
1980 Doctor of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Induced maturation and spawning of penaeid shrimp. Experimental penaeid larval-culture systems. Use of artificial diets for penaeid postlarvae production and evaluation of larval dietary requirements. Mass algal production systems for penaeid shrimp larvae. Medium and large scale penaeid postlarvae production systems. Medium and commercial scale intensive nursery systems for penaeid postlarvae. Development of practical evaluation methods to determine penaeid postlarvae quality. Nutritional requirements of Penaeus semisulcatus, P. monodon and Marsupenaeus japonicus. Ammonia toxicity to penaeid shrimp. Salinity preference and tolerance of P. semisulcatus, P. monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei. Semi-intensive & intensive grow-out pond production systems for penaeid shrimp. Commercial shrimp production using recirculating outdoor pond systems. Super-intensive closed recirculating systems for penaeid shrimp. Close recirculating maturation reproduction systems for penaeid shrimp. Commercial intensive production systems for live bait shrimp. Physical and chemical substrate (pond bottom) requirements for optimal growth of penaeid shrimp. Characterization, environmental impact and potential remediation methods for effluent waters from shrimp farms. Potential use of an integrated pond system, bacterial supplements and constructed wetlands to reduce negative environmental impact from shrimp farm effluent waters. Development of a sustainable and biosecure commercial shrimp production management practices with limited water discharge.

Professional Experience

2002-present:       Professor, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), Corpus Christi, Texas. Responsibilities 
                                include: Planning and conducting shrimp culture experiments in raceways and ponds to develop new
                                concepts in intensive nursery and grow-out techniques. Planning and carrying out aquaculture
                                technology transfer to commercial producers and industry related businesses. Summarizing research
                                and scholarly academic results for publication and preparation of grant proposals for extramural
                                funding of the research and graduate training programs.

2002-2006:                 Professor, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. Responsibilities include:  
Teaching graduate level courses and supervision of graduate students.

1992-2002:             Associate Professor, TAES, Corpus Christi, Texas.

1992-2002:             Associate Professor, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas.

1989-1992:             Visiting Research Scientist, TAES, Corpus Christi, Texas.

1988-1989:             Sabbatical with the Shrimp Mariculture Project, TAES, Corpus Christi, Texas, from National Center for  Mariculture (NCM), Eilat, Israel.

1980-1988:             Senior Scientist, Head, Shrimp Research Unit, NCM, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Eilat, Israel. Responsibilities include: Directing marine shrimp research activities in Israel. Specifically, conducting research concerned with induced maturation, reproduction, larviculture, nursery and grow-out phases, metabolite toxicity, nutrition and diseases. Research focused on development of a commercial shrimp farming industry in Israel. Interacting with the private shrimp farming sectors in Israel. Participating in the graduate student education program of the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University in Israel.

1988-present:        Private sector consulting: site evaluations, conceptual designs and staff training in induced maturation, larval rearing, intensive nursery and grow-out systems for penaeid shrimp. On-site assistance to commercial shrimp farms.