Crawfish Research Supported by the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Since 2001, the following research projects have been financially supported by the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board. The Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board administers funds from quarterly assessments on manufactured crawfish baits and sacks sold in Louisiana. By statute, monies are used to support promotion and research activities that benefit the crawfish industry. Projects selected for funding are approved by a majority vote of the promotion and research board.  Financial support of crawfish research projects by the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board often assists researchers in acquiring additional funding from other governmental agencies including the United States Department of Agriculture and the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. Most of the funds received from the Crawfish Promotion and Research Board are used by the investigators to employ personnel, including graduate students and undergraduate students, who assist in the implementation of the research projects. The remaining funds are usually used for supplies and equipment and support travel associated with the project. Much of the research information from these funded projects has led to new or modified producer management recommendations.

Project: Development of a Cost-Efficient Crawfish Broodstock Enhancement Protocol

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Dr. R. McClain, Rice Research Station, and Dr. R. Romaire, Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter

Problem: Crawfish production is highly variable from year to year and among geographical locations. It recently has been discovered that the most likely contributor to production variability relates to crawfish reproductive success. This study was proposed to investigate and develop biological and economic means for improving reproductive performance of crawfish broodstock through strategic, short-term feeding protocols aimed at enhancing body condition prior to the summer reproductive phase. Furthermore, it was intended that an optimal body condition index be determined that best correlates to reproductive success and that some visual indicator(s) be developed that relate to optimal body condition.

Research Objectives: (1) To examine various supplemental feeds and feeding regimes for their effectiveness in enhancing broodstock reproductive performance, (2) to determine the most cost-efficient feeding protocol for broodstock enhancement, and (3) to ascertain the optimal body condition for improving health and reproductive success of female crawfish broodstock and to develop a method for visually determining acceptable body condition.

Summary Findings: While research efforts are continuing, supplemental feeds offered to crawfish in ponds (twice per week for 4 weeks) prior to burrow occupation were found to generally improve spawning success and increased number of offspring. However, when crawfish densities were low and natural food resources were plentiful or when crawfish were given ample opportunity to forage in food-rich environments of new ponds after restocking, the response to supplemental feeding was not as great. Crawfish reproductive success is positively correlated to body condition (i.e., nutrient stores, especially in the hepatopancreas or “fat”), although a threshold condition index has yet to be determined.

Project: Assessment of Health and Reproduction of Crawfish Broodstock and Implications for Production

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Dr. R. McClain, Rice Research Station, and Dr. R. Romaire, Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter, and J.V. Huner, Crawfish Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Problem: Disease problems that result in poor survival or reproduction of crawfish while in the burrow could possibly account for a dramatic effect on crawfish yield and may be the most difficult to detect. This project was conducted to provide a preliminary assessment of disease and reproductive status of brood crawfish from several populations. (Note: this project was conducted in 2001 through 2003 before the discovery of White Spot Syndrome Virus, WSSV, in red swamp and white river crawfishes).

Research Objective: To compare disease infestation rates of crawfish broodstock from populations that experienced either adequate or poor production during the 2001 production season where the rice pesticide ICON was not a factor. Crawfish were examined for diseases prior to, during and after occupation of the burrow. Subsequent reproduction potential of crawfish was also determined.

Summary Findings: Four populations of crawfish were sampled and thoroughly analyzed by two renowned crustacean disease specialists, which failed to reveal the presence of any significant pathogens. Findings of parasites and enteric bacterial infections were infrequent and considered incidental. The most common potential pathogen, Psorospermium sp., was present at a prevalence and infection intensity equivalent to or less than previous observations from productive crawfish ponds, but there is no evidence that this agent is a major pathogen in Louisiana crawfish ponds. Reproductive success in low-yielding populations was similar to that in higher yielding populations.

Project: Development and Evaluation of an Inventory Method for Assessing Crawfish Population in Rice/Crawfish Rotational Ponds

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board, Southern Regional Aquaculture Center,  and United States Department of Agriculture Special Grants - Aquaculture

Investigators: Dr. R. McClain, Rice Research Station, and Dr. R. Romaire, Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter

Problem: Crawfish production relies solely on natural reproduction and recruitment from adults. This subjects the grower to great variations in yield and harvest size due to variations in adult survival and reproductive success from year to year and pond to pond. These problems are exacerbated by a lack of predictability and a reliable means of assessing pond inventory. Without a means of determining population density and structure prior to initiation of harvesting, economic and business planning and implementation of corrective measures are not viable tools for the producer.

Research Objectives: Small experimental ponds were populated only with known numbers of hatchlings, and this project has, for the first time, employed various sampling efforts in crawfish ponds with quasi-known populations. The intent was to determine quantifiable relationships between sampling (with different gear), known populations and resulting harvest data.

Summary Findings: This study is ongoing, but preliminary results suggest that mortality of hatchling crawfish can be very high, especially during the early stages of development. Nonetheless, even when resulting densities were very low, strong positive results were evident for each of four sampling gear (large-mesh traps, small-mesh traps, dip-nets and a passive drop-sampler device) relative to harvest density. The results revealed that the relative average catch per sample device (although very low) corresponded well to harvest yield by weight and numbers of crawfish harvested. Sampling was more effective around the pond edge, but baited sample traps yielded little advantage over unbaited traps, especially with a 48-hour set.

Project: Construction of Testing Facilities for Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Cold-Water Crawfish Baits

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Dr. R. McClain, Rice Research Station, and Dr. R. Romaire, Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter

Problem: The high cost, erratic supply and need for refrigeration and/or further processing of traditional cut-fish baits have spurred the desire for alternative baits for cool-water crawfish trapping. Some manufactured-bait companies have offered “winter formulations,” but these have not consistently performed as well as fish flesh. Therefore, research is needed to determine the characteristics and qualifications for more effective manufactured crawfish baits for cool-water use. Research has and will continue to be focused on evaluation of common feedstuffs and ingredients for their effective use in winter formulations, in trying to determine what is the precise attractant(s) for cool water conditions and how manufacturing factors might affect attractant quality.

Research Objectives: The main objective of this project was to develop a reliable experimental protocol for evaluating potential baits/attractants in the lab on a small scale and construct a facility for testing baits/attractants using chilled water. Such a lab-scale facility would facilitate the testing of possible attractants/baits in low quantities and at target water temperatures year-round with rapid results. This would effectively allow for the prescreening of numerous products/processes, some expensive and/or hard to come by, allowing only the most promising to be followed up in field tests under more typical conditions.

Summary Findings: Despite numerous attempts under various conditions of experimentation, it was found that “captive” crawfish would not respond to bait stimuli under laboratory conditions, even at optimal temperatures. Various acclimation and starvation protocols were tried, as were attempts at feed training and use of larger pool/troughs, but no effort has thus far been successful in getting captive crawfish to respond predictably to proven baits. Lab-reared crawfish responded somewhat more favorable to known baits in warm waters but not predictably enough for testing of experimental baits, especially in cool water. It is further unknown whether lab-reared animals will respond in similar fashion to wild animals in their natural habitat. Therefore, experimentation will continue to examine possible protocols for satisfactory testing of baits and/or attractants on a small scale, and construction of specific testing facilities will occur only when suitable and consistent protocols are discovered and refined.

Project: Investigation of Possible Linkages between Rainfall Patterns and Crawfish Production in South Louisiana

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Dr. R. McClain, Rice Research Station, and Dr. R. Romaire, Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter

Problem: Crawfish production variability is most certainly affected to some extent by weather. Annual yields may be highly correlated to rainfall patterns, particularly during critical periods, such as late summer/fall when crawfish are reproducing and emerging from burrows. Crawfish must have free-standing water in the burrow to successfully reproduce, and substantial rainfall is often necessary to soften the mud plug of the burrow entrance allowing crawfish with young to emerge. Therefore, adequate crawfish recruitment, and to a great degree, total yields, may be highly influenced by rainfall totals and patterns.

Research Objectives: This study undertakes to examine, in detail, rainfall patterns (amounts and frequency) from multiple official weather stations in the state over the last 20 years and to compare (via statistical correlations) rainfall patterns and published annual crawfish yields statewide and by parish to determine the extent to which historical correlations exist. Comparisons will be made with regard to rainfall patterns seasonally, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly and for other specified periods.

Summary Findings: A historical database with more than 40,000 data entries of daily precipitation (rainfall) from 17 southern Louisiana weather stations from 1980-2006 was obtained from the Southern Regional Climate Center. Average estimated annual crawfish yield (pounds/acre) was determined for each crawfish-producing parish with 1,000+ acres of crawfish farms from the 1980-81 through 2005-2006 crawfish crop years. Statistical analysis of the data showed that on a statewide basis, crawfish yield significantly decreased with a decrease in cumulative rainfall from July through September, a critical reproductive period for female crawfish in burrows. No relationship was observed between the amount of cumulative rainfall from October through December and crawfish yield. The relationship between summer rainfall and crawfish yield was more pronounced in some parishes than in others, and this may be due to reliability of crawfish harvest records from parish to parish, as well as other environmental and economic factors. Analysis of the data continues.       
 

Project: Annotated Crawfish Bibliography

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Ms. Sandy Malone and Dr. R. Romaire, Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter

Problem: Development of a annotated crawfish bibliography was done at the request of the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board. The request was made because many members of the board who make decisions on funding of crawfish research projects often do not know what research has been done at the state’s universities or other agencies or firms.

Research Objectives: (1) to create a database of crawfish publications based largely from crawfish research conducted in Louisiana and (2) to create a separate database of publications on the effects of pesticides, heavy metals and other chemicals on red swamp and white river crawfish regardless of where the research was conducted.

Summary Findings: The annotated Louisiana crawfish bibliography was developed and the information entered into a Microsoft Access software database. Copies of each publication entered in the database are housed at the Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge. A Web-based search and retrieval system for the bibliography was created by LSU AgCenter Information Technology (IT) unit and placed on the LSU AgCenter computer server. The database contains about 1,225 citations and 42 subject categories, with more than 99% of the articles written by Louisiana personnel (e.g., university researchers, extension personnel, state agency biologists and marketing specialists). Nearly 1,000 articles are annotated, and another 225 entries from Crawfish Tales, master's theses and Ph.D. dissertations are placed on the Web site but are not annotated.

Project: Revise and Print an Expanded Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Dr. R. Romaire and Dr. Greg Lutz, Aquaculture Research Station, Dr. R. McClain, Rice Research Station, and Mr. Mark Shirley, Vermilion Parish Extension Office, LSU AgCenter

Problem: The Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual, an extension guide on farming crawfish in Louisiana, was first printed in 1996. The 38-page manual was updated and revised in 1999, with a second printing of 500 copies. The manual has been out of print since 2002 when all copies were exhausted. Funds were not available to reprint the manual.

Research Objectives: Lutz, Romaire, McClain and Shirley revised the La. Crawfish Production Manual to include updated information on all facets of crawfish production and included expanded sections on pond management, forage selections, harvesting practices, marketing and environmental best management practices. Funds were provided by the La. Crawfish Promotion and Research Board to assist in printing 4,000 copies of the revised manual.

Summary Findings: 4,000 copies of the revised “The Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual” were printed in January 2007 and made available to Louisiana Cooperative Extension Offices in each parish that requested them. The 57-page publication has 10 chapters, glossary, 87 figures and 7 tables. A hard copy of the publication can be obtained by contacting the Aquaculture Research Station, LSU AgCenter, at telephone 225-765-2848, or by requesting a copy from your local cooperative extension office.  The publication is also available for download from the LSU AgCenter Web site. The Web address is
 http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/aquaculture/crawfish/

Project: Waterbird Problems in Crawfish Aquaculture and the Value of Crawfish Ponds as Agricultural Wetland Habitat for Waterbirds

Financial Support:  Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigator:  Dr. Jay V. Huner, Crawfish Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Problem: Crawfish ponds attract waterbirds because they provide excellent resting/loafing sites and also provide food resources. Once crawfish ponds are filled, they quickly develop an invertebrate fauna including crawfish that is very attractive to carnivorous birds. Large, mixed flocks of egrets, herons, and ibises are found feeding in ponds in the fall. They are joined in the winter and spring by large numbers of cormorants, gulls, and terns. Crawfish ponds become especially significant to shorebirds and wading birds when they are drained in spring or summer. Louisiana’s crawfish farmers have expressed concern over possible damage done by waterbirds to crawfish crops through competition for food resources, direct predation, or trap and bait displacement.

Research Objectives: The objectives of this project, which was funded by the LA Crawfish Promotion and Research Board over several year, was: (1) to provide a list of wetland birds that utilize crawfish pond as wetland habitat during various phases of the crawfish production season, including fall, winter, spring, and spring/summer drawdown periods, (2) identify bird species that directly consume crawfish, and those that consume other food items associated with crawfish ponds (e.g., minnows, seeds of planted forages, insects, etc), and (3) identify bird species that displace traps, and eat bait from traps, and those that destroy vegetative forage grown as food for crawfish.

Summary Findings: About 80 species of waterbirds utilize agricultural wetland habitats in Louisiana and the upper coast of Texas. Seasonal checklists for ag wetland sites, including crawfish ponds, were developed for the Sorrento, Church Point, Catahoula, and Perry areas of Louisiana. The number of species recorded exceeded 275 birds which compares very favorably with the Louisiana’s state list of slightly more than 450 birds. In Mid-fall and Winter, large numbers of wading birds, especially Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Plegadis spp. ibis, and White Ibis feed heavily on juvenile crawfish in ponds. In Winter and Early Spring, gulls and terns will feed heavily on crawfish molting near the surface. In Winter into Mid-Spring, cormorants, pelicans, and coots can feed heavily on crawfish in deeper waters not accessible to wading birds. In Mid- to Late Spring, yellow-crowned night-herons feed heavily on the pond periphery and steal crawfish from traps. In Spring and Summer when ponds are being drained, a number of bird species heavily predate on crawfish. Waterfowl and coots feed on seeds and, to some extent, invertebrates that are known to be important crawfish foods. These waterbirds also dislodge vegetative forage grown for crawfish, often eating parts of it. This forage provides crawfish protective cover from predators and provides substrate to reduce the actual density of the crawfish which is important to ensuring maximum growth rates for the crawfish. Principal survey consultant for this project has been Michael J. Musumeche, New Iberia, LA. Huner and Musumeche have demonstrated that the complex of crawfish, rice, and rice-crawfish impoundments across southern and central Louisiana are invaluable waterbird habitat providing wetland habitat that compensates for disappearing coastal and inland natural wetlands.

Project: Crawfish Processor Preferences for a Crawfish Peeling Machine

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigator: Dr. Jeffrey Gillespie, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, LSU AgCenter

Problem: The peeling segment of the LA crawfish industry has faced the challenge of remaining competitive in a global market. Massive imports of peeled tail meat from the Peoples Republic of China and severe labor shortages in the past decade has resulted in nearly an 80% decline in the number of crawfish processing (peeing) plants in Louisiana. Much discussion of the need for a crawfish peeling machine has occurred since the mid 1990’s. Reducing USA crawfish tail meat production cost could help regain some of the market share lost to importers.

Research Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the costs associated with crawfish peeling labor, (2) the availability of labor in the USA crawfish processing industry, (3) factors that influence potential crawfish peeling machine developers’ investment decisions, (4) maximum investment that processors could make in adopting a crawfish peeling machine and (5) crawfish processors’s willingness to adopt a crawfish peeling machine of specific cost and description.

Summary Findings: Crawfish processors expressed much interest in a peeling machine. Processors would want a machine that could de-vein because they generally believe consumers would not accept a non-deveined product. Retention of “fat” and backstrap, and well has avoiding individual handling of crawfish were important. A leasing arrangement was generally preferred by most processors. An affordable crawfish peeling machine that produced a product roughly equal to today’s hand peeled product would likely be adopted widely in the industry. The comprehensive report of the survey, methods, survey results and conclusion are available in the following publication, “Crawfish Processor Preferences for a Crawfish Peeling Machine” by J. Gillespie and D. Lewis, Bulletin Number 885, November 2005, LSU AgCenter. A copy of this publication can be obtained by contacting Dr. Gilliespie at jgilliespie@agcenter.lsu.edu or telephone 225-578-2759. 

Project: Impact of the Chinese Crawfish Tariff on the Louisiana Crawfish Industry

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigator:  Dr. P. Lynn Kennedy, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, LSU AgCenter

Problem: The Byrd Amendment directs the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to distribute monies to companies that petitioned or supported antidumping and countervailing duty actions. Payouts are made only to those companies who petitioned or supported antidumping and countervailing duty actions. Although some argue that all companies affected by the dumping should share this compensation, the federal legislation does not allow individual companies to receive compensation if they did not support or were opposed to the tariff. In the case of the USA crawfish industry, companies that did not petition or support antidumping actions against Chinese crawfish imports were not included in a $7.5 million payout by Customs as a result of a 1997 antidumping order on crawfish tailmeat imports from China.

Research Objectives:  The objective of the project was to analyze the effects of antidumping and countervailing duty actions on Chinese crawfish imports and to determine the impact on the Louisiana crawfish industry during the five year period (2000-2004) around the initial Byrd payouts. The study utilized data obtained from interviews with Louisiana crawfish processors, and data provided by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, information from written reports prepared by the International Trade Commission, and data from the National Sea Grant Information Management System.

Summary Findings:  The number of crawfish processors were fairly constant for the years 2000-2004 with the lowest number of processors being 23 (2001) and highest number being 29 (2002). The top 5 processors had a 71% share of the USA cooked crawfish tail meat market in 2001, decreasing to a 49% share in 2004. A Herfindahl index, which can range from 0 (little or no market dominance by any particular company) to 1 (complete market dominance or a monopoly by a company), was developed from the data. The Herfindahl index is also a good index of pricing power that individual crawfish processors have on the cooked crawfish tail meat industry. Based on analysis of crawfish processing data available, it appears that tariff payouts received by crawfish processors as a result of the Byrd Amendment had a positive impact on Louisiana crawfish industry processors. The Herfindahl index (range: 0.18 to 0.07) decreased from 2001 to 2004, indicating lessened influence in pricing power for Louisiana crawfish processors.

Project:   Crawfish Educational Materials Grades K-8 & High School Biology

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigator: Ms. Tanya Sturman, Consultant, Nachitoches, Louisiana; high school exercises by Dr. Jay V. Huner,

Problem:  Crawfish is part of social and economic fabric of southern Louisiana, but general knowledge of crawfish and its importance to the history and economy of Louisiana is not widely known to the millions of Louisianians that consume crawfish annually.  Educational exercises on the subjects of  English, Math, Science, and Social Studies using crawfish as an educational model  in elementary and secondary education would significantly expand knowledge to the Louisiana community of the social and economic role that crawfish have in Louisiana. 

Research Objective: To develop educational materials, based on grade level expectations (GLE), for elementary and secondary school teachers for classes ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade, and laboratory exercises for high school students, using Louisiana crawfish as the subject of study.   

Deliverables:  A comprehensive teachers resource manual was written using crawfish  as the subject model to provide teaching materials for the subject areas of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies from grades kindergarten through 8th grade, and high science science laboratory exercises.   The comprehensive resource document are available in the following publication, “Crawfish Educational Materials Grades K-8 & High School Biology, 2006. A copy of this publication can be  downloaded from the LSU AgCenter Web site at http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/aquaculture/crawfish/Educational+Resources/Crawfish+Lesson+Plan+K8th+High+School+Lab.htm

Project: Support of Research on the Effects of White Spot Syndrome Virus on Louisiana Crawfish 

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigator:  Dr. John Hawke and Dr. Wes Baumgardner, School of Veterinary Medicine, LSU

Problem: White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) has been confirmed in crawfish in a number of crawfish aquaculture ponds throughout south Louisiana and in wild populations in the Atchafalaya Basin. WSSV is a virus that only affects crustaceans. It does not affect people or other animals. The disease was first reported in farmed shrimp in Thailand and then China in 1992-93. In 1995, it was reported in shrimp farms located in south Texas and in South Carolina. It is called “white spot syndrome” because in infected shrimp white spots develop in the shell, however the clinical sign of white spots on the shell is not observed in Louisiana crawfish.  WSSV was found in wild shrimp and crabs off-shore in the Gulf of Mexico and near shore in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina during 1999-2002. This virus is known to cause crawfish mortality in some ponds under conditions of extreme environmental stress. Other ponds tested positive for WSSV have not shown significant crawfish mortality.

Research Objectives: Funds were allocated by the LCPRB at the Oct. 2007 meeting for Dr. Hawke to begin a research program on WSSV disease in crawfish beginning with the 2007-2008 crawfish production season. Research projects and research objectives will be identified by Dr. Hawke and other aquatic disease specialists at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Project: Projected Costs for Crawfish Production in Louisiana

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigator: Dr. Anthony J. Greco, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Problem: A variety of stakeholders need estimates of the cost of crawfish production at the farm level. Although past estimates of these costs have been made, the production parameters on which these estimates are based require periodic updating to accurately reflect technology currently employed in this enterprise. There are a variety of fixed and variable costs that must be estimated. To do so, a comprehensive survey of the crawfish producers in the 17 producing parishes in Louisiana must be conducted. The data obtained from this survey must be organized and analyzed in order to formulate the cost estimate at the production stage of the crawfish industry.

Research Objectives: The objectives of this project are to determine: (1) the costs associated with crawfish production in Louisiana`s producing parishes, inclusive of the costs associated with various crawfish management practices; (2) the degree of crawfish farmers` utilization of various record-keeping systems; and (3) the technologies employed by crawfish producers.

Summary Findings: This project was approved by the LCPRB board in July 2007, and it is anticipated that the plan will be completed by July 2008.

Project: Development of a Management Plan for the Crawfish Fishery in the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana

Financial Support: Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board

Investigators: Dr. Jay V. Huner and Dr. Mark Konikoff, Louisiana Ecrevisse, Boyce, Louisiana

Problem: The commercial and recreational fishery for freshwater crawfish in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin is the most important one in North America. The long term annual harvest in Basin is 20-25 million pounds. Production is tied to the annual flooding cycle controlled by the Mississippi River. In dry years production can be negligible while in flood years it can approach 50 million pounds. Despite the economic and social importance of the Basin crawfishery to Louisiana’s economy and culture, it has never been managed on a scientific basis like other commercial and sport freshwater and marine fisheries in Louisiana. .

Research Objectives: The objective of this project is to write an Atchafalaya Basin Crawfish Fishery Management plan based on a detailed outline developed by the Scientific Advisory Panel to the Louisiana Wild-Caught Crawfish Task Force. The plan will include information on description of the fishery, economics, biology and life history of crawfish, water regime, other concerns, and recommendations.

Summary Findings: This project was approved by the LCPRB board in October 2007, and it is anticipated that the plan will be completed by the end of 2008.