Ship Light

[Fish_dave]

Dizzy, you are an exception to general rule. I have only two customers that generally ship the upgraded service. You always pay for expedited service which shows that you care about the health of your fish. In your case you are ignoring the economics to insure that your fish arrive timely. That is certainly the exception in this business, most people opt for the cheapest freight possible. I agree that on a direct timely flight water volumes can generally be reduced without an adverse affect.

When there is a transfer involved and the freight has been sent low priority there are so many variables that it does not make sense to me to pack for a best case situation. It is safer to pack for the worst case. That takes more water and costs more. In your case you are paying for service that is much more reliable and I agree that it would be safe to pack with less water. Bottom line if customers will pay for priority service I will not have a problem with packing lighter. If the lighter packing is to save money using the same service then it makes no sense to me. I would prefer to see the priority service and use a lighter pack, unfortunatly 99 % of my customers use general freight.

Dave

 

[Anonymous]

John @ Fish and Other Ichthy (http://www.ichthythings.com)is hands down the largest exception to the rule I know of. Single bag all damsels and not in condoms. The guy just rocks as a LFS owner.

 

[naesco]

Am I missing something here?
Less water means less dilution of ammonia and other bad stuff which common sense means more problems and higher DOA and or weakened fish which leads to disease or parasite outbreaks.

Loser importers might do this to ship cheap fish but like Jadefox I would like to know who is doing this.

I can just read the headlines.
MARINE INDUSTRY PUT FISH HEALTH AT RISK IN ORDER TO SAVE HIGHER TRANSPORT FUEL COST.
Just what we need!
Wayne Ryan

 

[dizzy]

I'd like to know if the MAC certified fish are being handled like this.

 

[PeterIMA]

First, I want to dispel the idea that it is a good thing to pack fish "light". By this I mean minimizing the water and packing fish in small bags to maximize the number of fish in the box. Some exporters do this. I have heard horror stories about shipments of clowns or damsels with over 250 fish to the box coming in from the Philippines. One exporter came up with a system of putting fish (like clowns or damsels) into popsicle tubing, where each fish is in about a teaspoon of water and the bag is sealed at different intervals. This may save on freight but does lead to high mortalities.

With regard to the amount of water in the bag, I tend to agree with Fish-Dave. There is a certain volume the fish necessary to deal with the exceted ammonia and carbon dioxide. Lets say it is 200 ml of water for a clownfish.

But, what has not been discussed is the bag size for various species and sizes of fish. Generally speaking larger bags are better than very small bags. The person packing the fish makes a choice about bag size that is partly related to the size of the fish that will be placed in each bag. It may also be related to what the importer demands to help minimize freight costs.

Now lets go back to the idea that we want to pack a clownfish in 200 ml of water. Lets say that clownfish arriving at the importer are coming in stressed. What should be done? Most people would reply lets increase the bag size. I agree, but do you need to also increase the amount of water? I think not.

Lets say, that the normal ratio of water to oxygen in a bag is 1/3 water and 2/3 air. If you keep the volume of water the same (200 ml) but use a larger bag, now the ratio becomes 1/4 water and 3/4 oxygen. We have done static experiments that indicate that fish had a higher survival over 48 hours duration, when the ratio was 1/4 water and 3/4 oxygen, as opposed to 1/3 water and 2/3 oxygen, or worse 1/2 water and 1/2 oxygen gas.

If the duration of the shipment is short, then any of these options should work. But as the duration of the shipment increases, I recommend the ratio of 1/4 water and 3/4 oxygen. The weight per box should not change, but if fewer fish are packed per box the freight costs will increase (more boxes needed for same number of fish). This should be offset by the fact that more of the fish arrive alive and stay alive. We have been doing experiments on this with overseas shipments, and have some data to support the rule (1/4 water 3/4 oxygen). But, we presently do not have a lot of replication.

Peter

 

[Ret_Talbot]

Thanks everyone for your input. My research is ongoing, and I would really like to see the report titled "Shipping-Related Mortality in Marine Ornamental Fish: Results of a Multi-Year Diagnostic Survey” (or any related papers) which was listed in the program for Marine Ornamentals 2006.

In addition, I'd love to the the report or any papers reulting a study called “Modeling of shipping-related stress in marine ornamental fish (R/SAQ-09)” was funded through an Oregon Sea Grant (by way of NOAA) in conjunction with Oregon State University and may be ongoing.

If anyone has any information on either of these, please let me know. These are the reports cited by the wholesaler in question. I have contacted the lead researchers directly but have not received any response as of yet.

On a sidenote, it strikes me that a study with the goal “to provide reliable data upon which to improve best management practices related to holding, shipping and receiving procedures” would not be so difficult to obtain, especially by asking those people most intimately involved in holding, shipping and receiving, but perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong places.

 

[PeterIMA]

Talks were presented by Dr. Gerry Heidel and associates concerning shipping mortality at both the MO04 Conference (held in Honolulu) and at the MO06 Conference (held in Las Vegas). I have not seen any papers from Dr. Heidel and his group at Oregon State University (just abstracts for the meetings). If you want abstracts for their presentations, I think I can find them. I also would like to see reports/papers from their research.

Peter Rubecf

 

[Ret_Talbot]

Talks were presented by Dr. Gerry Heidel and associates concerning shipping mortality at both the MO04 Conference (held in Honolulu) and at the MO06 Conference (held in Las Vegas). I have not seen any papers from Dr. Heidel and his group at Oregon State University (just abstracts for the meetings). If you want abstracts for their presentations, I think I can find them. I also would like to see reports/papers from their research.

Peter Rubecf

Thank you, Peter. I have the '06 (Las Vegas) abstract, but I have been unable to locate any papers or reports. I have contacted both Jerry Heidel and Timothy Miller-Morgan, but I have yet to receive a response. If this study(ies) is the science upon which the wholesaler is basing the "shipping light" practice, then it would imply there is some very interesting (conclusive?) data therein. Even your quite excellent paper acknowledges that more data is needed.

 

[JeremyR]

Shipping light is also relative to the wholesaler. One of the places advertising smaller pack used to pack excessively large giving you a rediculous freight bill & double the box charges with no apparent quality difference with the other major players. Their light packing is everyone elses standard pack.. and the DOA rate doesn't seem any higher. I also get everything from LA via SWA RUSH, and it never goes over 24 hrs. From florida SWA general is actually fine for us as the flights are direct nonstop. SWA general is 99% ontime anways from LA, but people in other cities with other airlines are going to have different results.

 

[clarionreef]

Posted: 28 Jun 2008 11:42 Post subject:
I'd like to know if the MAC certified fish are being handled like this.

Mitch
That problem was avoided by the lack of fish produced.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Posted: 28 Jun 2008 11:42 Post subject:
I'd like to know if the MAC certified fish are being handled like this.

Mitch
That problem was avoided by the lack of fish produced.
Steve

They are sent in paper, not water Steve

 

[Jaime Baquero]

JadeFox, this is an interesting subject. I hope something positive will come from it.

One very important aspect that must be added to the DOA/ DAA mortality equations is related to what is happening at collection points. The ideal situation would be if something is also done at community level. We know that fish are kept by collectors in plastic bags for extended periods of time, at this point water weight is not important, the problem is that collectors keep many fish per bag stored in structures where temperature could be as high as 30ºC, abrupt water changes are done depending on the value of the fish, if expensive twice a day,if not once a day. Fish are kept like this for a week.

No doubt that this has negative consequences..... later when shipping fish overseas by exporters.

Jaime

 

[PeterIMA]

03-29-07

Media Release


Saving Nemo: Researchers Hope to Reduce Mortality in Marine Ornamental Fish


CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University researchers are working to help more aquarium fish survive the often hazardous journey from where they’re collected until they arrive in pet shops and home aquaria.

The result may not only be healthier fish and happier pet owners, but significant environmental and economic benefits.

Jerry Heidel, director of OSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and Tim Miller-Morgan, an OSU veterinarian with the Oregon Sea Grant Extension, have partnered with Hollywood Aquariums in Lake Oswego and Sea Dwelling Creatures, Inc., a Los Angeles-based fish importer and distributor, in the project funded by Oregon Sea Grant.

The collaboration allows the researchers to examine causes of mortality at all stages of the supply chain, from the fish capture on tropical coral reefs to purchase by hobbyists. SDC, Inc. provides fish to retailers and aquaria throughout the United States and internationally, including Monterey Bay Aquarium, SeaWorld and the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

The marine fish aquarium hobby is growing by approximately 1 percent a year, Miller-Morgan says, faster than any other pet ownership sector. And nearly 99 percent of the fish are caught in the wild, not raised in captivity. Typical mortality rates for the more commonly shipped species range from about 5 percent to 12 percent, according to previous studies conducted by Heidel and Miller-Morgan.

The OSU researchers conducted broad mortality surveys of all fish species imported by SDC, Inc., and in their newest study will focus on a few key species, including the popular green chromis and the false percula clownfish, of “Finding Nemo” fame. The most expensive fish they will study is the Imperator angelfish, which can retail for $200 or more.

Preliminary observations suggest that water quality and handling, rather than parasitic or bacterial infections, are the biggest problems faced by marine fish shipped to the U.S. for the pet trade.

“These animals are hit with multiple stressors throughout the chain of custody, and water quality may be the thing that pushes them over the edge,” said Miller-Morgan.

In particular, Heidel and Miller-Morgan have noted that water in which marine ornamental fish have been shipped typically has low pH – the water is more acidic than normal – and high ammonia levels, both of which can cause stress to the animals.

They also suspect that high carbon dioxide in the water is responsible for some fish deaths. In high concentrations, CO2 can cause acidosis – a condition that limits the amount of oxygen the fish can carry in their blood.

Miller-Morgan traveled with partners from SDC, Inc. to Indonesia in 2005, where they examined exporters’ animal husbandry practices and storage and shipping facilities. He noted that once the fish are collected from a reef, they commonly sit on a boat in water-filled plastic bags for as long as three weeks. The longer a fish is held on the boat, he theorizes, the more likely it is to be stressed if it is eventually shipped.

The first step of the new project is to collect baseline data on fishes’ blood chemistry, comparing fish shipped from the South Pacific to SDC Inc.’s Los Angeles facility with cinnamon clownfish at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport that will serve as control fish. Carl Schreck of OSU’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, an expert in stress response in fishes, will assist with the blood work.

The investigators will also measure water quality and analyze stress during shipping. They expect to recommend measures that exporters can take to reduce shipping stress, most likely through improving water quality and changing fish handling prior to shipping.

Heidel and Miller-Morgan will share the study’s results as widely as possible to the industry.

“We’d like to focus on ‘train the trainer’ efforts by which we can achieve an exponential dissemination of this information,” said Heidel.

The benefits of their findings should be both economic and environmental. Shipping mortality significantly decreases the profit margin of all involved in the process.

“In general, ornamental fish importers’ two biggest business costs are labor, which is fairly fixed, and fish mortalities,” Miller-Morgan pointed out.

In addition, Heidel said “if fewer fish die in transit, the industry won’t have to go back to the reef quite as often to collect more,” thereby lessening the industry’s impact on tropical reef systems.

“Our goal with all of this work is conservation through quality health management,” said Miller-Morgan.
Media Contact
Nancy Steinberg,
541-574-0908

Source
Tim Miller-Morgan,
541-867-0265

 

[dizzy]

This won't help: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/27/news/co ... 2008062714



NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- As oil prices continue to break records, the nation's six leading airlines have announced capacity cuts for 2008, trimming flights in major hubs and cutting off service to dozens of discount destinations.

All told, the industry will cut capacity by 9% in 2008, according to James Higgins, analyst for Soleil-Solebury Research.

Experts are also expecting more fare increases. Tom Parsons, travel pricing expert at BestFares.com, said airlines have imposed about a dozen fare increases or fuel surcharges since the end of last year.

"I think we'll continue to see fare increases," said Philip Baggaley, fixed income analyst at Standard & Poor's. "The question is how high they'll go."

On Friday, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines all added fare increases, ranging from $5 to $40.

"The goal is to get just the right mix of capacity cuts and higher prices and fees to keep planes packed this fall and winter," Farecompare.com Chief Executive Rick Seaney wrote on his site.

In addition, the industry has added numerous fees for services that were once provided for free, such as American Airlines' newly imposed $15 charge for travelers' first checked bags.

The skyrocketing cost of fuel is the biggest culprit to the money-losing airline industry. Oil prices broke a new record on Friday, rising above $142 a barrel. Fuel expenses are expected to rise to $61.2 billion in 2008, compared to $41.2 billion last year, according to the Air Transport Association. Meanwhile, the Amex Airline Index has plunged more than 50% this year.

Florida gets fried in capacity cuts
In cutting capacity, airlines are targeting their most financially-inefficient flights, and filling their remaining flights to maximum capacity.

In June, the airlines with the most annual sales - including AMR Corp.'s (AMR, Fortune 500) American Airlines, Delta Air Lines (DAL, Fortune 500), UAL Corp.'s (UAUA, Fortune 500) United Airlines, Continental Airlines (CAL, Fortune 500), Northwest Airlines (NWA, Fortune 500) and US Airways (LCC, Fortune 500) - each announced capacity reductions. With the exception of Northwest, all of these airlines provided details of which hubs will be affected and which flights will disappear.

American Airlines was the most recent carrier to detail its cuts.

On Wednesday, American said it would eliminate 189 additional flights by the fourth quarter, with up to a 12% reduction in domestic capacity.

American will no longer fly into Oakland, Calif., London's Stansted airport, and Barranquilla, Colombia. American Eagle, the carrier's shuttle service, is discontinuing service to Albany, N.Y., Harrisburg, Penn., Providence, R.I., and other cities. American is also trimming flights at major hubs, including Chicago, St. Louis and Dallas/Fort Worth.

With other airlines, many of the service cuts are in Florida, a popular destination for discount flyers. These low-cost flights are no longer considered worthwhile for the money-losing carriers.

United said it would no longer offer service to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Delta is also cutting point-to-point service between Orlando and 11 other cities, including Key West and Panama City, both in Florida, and New Orleans. Delta is cutting direct service between Pensacola, Fla. and two other cities in that state - Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, as well as point-to-point flights between Boston and Jacksonville, Fla. The airline said these cities can still be accessed, but only through hubs.

Continental is also trimming Florida service by ending point-to-point flights between Sarasota and three major hubs, and between Houston and Tallahassee.

"I think Florida is at the top of the list [of cuts and potential cuts], and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more cuts in Las Vegas," said Higgins.

In addition, Delta is eliminating point-to-point flights between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. U.S. Airways also said it is drastically reducing flights to the gambling hub.

Parsons of BestFares.com said that Hawaii is no longer considered a discount destination for West Coast flyers, and that fares have doubled since last year. Also, American Airlines eliminated its Chicago-Honolulu flight, and two of the airlines that used to service Hawaii - Aloha Airlines and ATA - have gone out of business.

"Hawaii is probably taking the biggest beating," said Parsons. "Hawaii is almost being treated like an international destination."

Southwest fills the vacuum
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines (LUV, Fortune 500) - the only profitable U.S.-based major airline - has increased service, albeit by a small margin. Southwest, which successfully hedged its fuel costs and therefore avoided the current high prices, is using its increase in flights to service areas that have been abandoned by competing carriers.

Southwest said on Thursday that it was cutting 31 flights but adding 40, for a net gain of nine. Southwest is adding flights to the Denver hub, where United Airlines announced cuts, and to Albany, where American Airlines is discontinuing service. Southwest is also adding service to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Las Vegas.

Also, Southwest is less aggressive in imposing extra fees than many of its competitors. Parsons said that this, combined with Southwest's ability to operate in airports that other airlines have abandoned, increases the airline's ability to compete.

"Southwest may end up being the biggest winner of them all," said Parsons.

The airlines will probably announce the next big wave of capacity cuts next year, said Higgins, who projects that they'll cut capacity in 2009 by the "mid-single digits."

"We're going to have to see what the economy looks like and we're going to have to see what oil prices look like," said Higgins.

But experts said that trying to estimate which hubs and flights are slated for cuts is a tricky business, partly because the airlines base these decisions on complicated hub juggling.

Said Baggaley of Standard & Poor's: "The airlines don't have perfect flexibility to slice off capacity like salami."

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Delta was ending service to certain airports, when it was actually ending point-to-point service, which means those airports can still be accessed through hubs.

First Published: June 27, 2008: 11:17 AM EDT

Hawaii suffers a tourism blow

Fuel costs could 'devastate' airlines

Five ways to fly for cheap

Nickel and dimed: airlines' fee-for-all

 

[JennM]

I've never seen anybody I deal with touting "light" shipping. I rarely order damsels except for chromis, but they are always packed one per bag, suitably sized, IMO and with suitable water/O2. It's not unusual for me to have 0 DOA on a typical order, 1-3 on a "large" order for me (which may or may not be large by others' standards). Our DAA rate is fairly low too - the occasional one doesn't make it - some species "travel well" and some don't. By and large, we have much better numbers than we did when we first opened, that's for sure. Better practices once they arrive don't hurt either It's all for nothing if the retailer (and hobbyist) put 'em in putrid water, right?

I guess I'm luckier than I realize to be in a hub city - I can usually get my fish in as little as 12 hours from when they were packed, and at the most 18-20 hours from when they were packed. Direct flight so no transfer issues. Worst that rarely happens is they get bumped to a later flight, sent "Priority First" on Delta.

I got some rock this morning sent US Air, that should have been here yesterday. It was booked on a scenic route (cheaper - rock is not nearly as time-sensitive)... but somewhere around about LAS it got "lost"... turned up in Charlotte yesterday afternoon and arrived in ATL late last night. No damage done, but glad my fish don't come that way

Given a choice, I'd rather have an appropriate/ample amount of water, larger bag with more oxygen. A few saved dollars on freight still don't compare. The most expensive fish, is a dead fish.

Jenn

 

[sdcfish]

Finally catching up on reading this thread....I had heard that there was some talk about the new packing methods.

To those of you who are SDC customers...you all know we have been promoting this as a big savings. I sent out an email two weeks ago outlining the savings, and also explaining that this "tighter pack" might not work well for everyone.

This is nothing new for us as everyone can see from above posts. We have done what may have been the first and largest study of shipping stress and effects with the Oregon State people. It was a large undertaking and costly for us, but well worth the time and money spent.

Over the last 3-5 years...maybe longer, we have been packing certain fish in much smaller bags than what most would consider normal. This had been going on for specific customers that had always requested "TP" tight pack on certain items.

Because of the success we have had over the years with this type of packing, along with the research results done, and with the economy in the state it's in, we have always looked out for our customers and try to find ways to save money.

We are now offering three different packing styles. Like the fish sizing, we offer small, medium and large packing styles. The sales reps are making notes on the orders which method is preffered....and we are getting mostly very happy customers pleased with the results.

We have had a few problems, and nothing is perfect...even if shipped all in larger sized bags. We don't really know what causes poor shipments, but we do know that we have been very successful for a long time. Our National average of doa's are tracked every week, and I can report that we have actually lowered our over-all doa's since saving customers money. Maybe it's the new pack, maybe it's because of all the other things we do that others don't.....but bottom line is that if we can save our customers money, without sacrficing the animal...why not?

I can tell everyone that no amount of water or ice packs are going to save a stranded shipment sitting on the tarmack for 24 hours in Phoenix or Las Vegas! But, by shipping less boxes on the airlines because we are getting more fish per box, we are actually making more room for freight and also making it easier on the airlines to get our shipments to arrive on time!

As previously mentioned by other posts...there are many factors that lead to success. I will not disclose what makes that success, but there ARE certain factors.

One thing I will mention that is often over-looked, is how to properly acclimate a shipment. Over the years, I have spoken with thousands of retailers who so often over-look one simple step in acclimation....which is Ammonia neutalizer! As many know, ammonia has built up in the bag during shipping. Our incoming shipments from over seas have always had ammonia readings off the readable charts. It's also no secret, but not always thought of, that when adding high Ph water, to low Ph water with high Ammonia...leads to immediate poisoning of the fish, resulting in unnecessary losses after 2-3 days. Fish that are eating, and swimming normally just suddenly perish....and retailers along with others have not known why.

Neutralizing the ammonia in the water or bag, BEFORE adding any water, is the first step of proper acclimation. I implore everyone to add this simple step and I promise that better results will happen. There are many products out there on the market that neutralize ammonia...it's safe, cheap and easy to use.

As far as the light or pack tight method.....it's a huge money saver for many of our customers right now. I am very pleased with the phone calls, emails, and voice mails that our reps and myself have received thanking us for the savings. Like I said...it's not for everyone! We are constantly working VERY HARD to improve and find the right balance for all our customers. Keeping everyone in business is our main goal, along with doing what's right for the animal as well.

With all the hard work we have done and are doing on the research side, conservation and business side as well....I hope people will have some faith in us before jumping to conclusions or forming the wrong impression. Please trust that we are always evolving and we will continue to do so. This industy is such that we will never be satisfied, EVER, with our methods, and we will always, always, always be looking for better ways to improve on our product and service. Yes...it's tiresome

Best regards.....

Eric

PS...A word to our competitors.....Despite all the nasty rumors that you continue to spread about us (You know who you are and what a joke it's been hearing all this stuff), we will continue to forge ahead and work our arses off to be the best we can be. And while you continue to spread viscious rumors, we are charging forward to best serve our customers.....Onward Prancer, Dancer, Donner etc....Put the time into the product....not the b/s!

 

[Anonymous]

PS...A word to our competitors.....Despite all the nasty rumors that you continue to spread about us (You know who you are and what a joke it's been hearing all this stuff), we will continue to forge ahead and work our arses off to be the best we can be. And while you continue to spread viscious rumors, we are charging forward to best serve our customers.....Onward Prancer, Dancer, Donner etc....Put the time into the product....not the b/s!

Ugh I hate rumors.....some one told me that one recently and I couldn't believe it. I've been hearing the same type of rumor about a local wholesaler to the Bay Area. For 10 years now the same guy (ex partner IIRC) keeps saying they are soon to be no longer yet they still continue to do business and stay on top of bills

 

[sdcfish]

Gresh,

At some point, it just becomes comical. Not much you can do though. Maybe the ones that speak the rumors are just deflecting it off themselves? Can't really figure out the motives other than pure nasty business tactics. This is an area I would rather leave out of my life....don't want to live in the negative...I think you know me personally enough to know I am more of a lover than a fighter

Have a good one!

 

[dizzy]

We have had a few problems, and nothing is perfect...even if shipped all in larger sized bags. We don't really know what causes poor shipments, but we do know that we have been very successful for a long time. Our National average of doa's are tracked every week, and I can report that we have actually lowered our over-all doa's since saving customers money. Maybe it's the new pack, maybe it's because of all the other things we do that others don't.....but bottom line is that if we can save our customers money, without sacrficing the animal...why not?

Eric,
Ever hear the term garbage in, garbage out? Although it is most often associated with data entry, I believe it can also be used to explain some poor shipments. The consequences of turning and burning previously stressed livestock needs to be studied. Years ago I tried my hand at getting in transshipped orders, and I've been to enough wholesalers and seen orders unpacked to understand how severly stressed some of the livestock is. I don't care how long you take in acclimating, I don't think fish completely recover from near death in a matter of hours. If you guys really want to reduce loses then start taking the fish that come in severly stressed and hold them back for a week or two and I'm pretty sure you will see DOA rates drop. Just putting a previously stressed fish in a larger bag of water is not the same as allowing it to recover from the ill-effects of poor handling. That's my 2-cents.
Mitch

 

[bobimport]

Something I see missing here is the "cube" rate that all airlines charge.
Airlines rate ALL shipments with a cube rate. That is they dim the box to see if it is heavy enough. For a double Florida box (17x17x20) the dim is about 35 lbs. That means if you go "light" and pack less than 35lbs the airlines will charge you for a minimum of 35 lbs anyway due to the fact that you are taking up cargo space that they could make more money on something more dense. As most airlines are getting rid of wide body aircraft to save on fuel space is now a premium.
Airlines used to treat freight as 100% profit. Example the plane is going anyway so a little extra weight wont cost that much more in fuel. That was at $30 a barrel oil. We are now somewhere around 70% profit.
We are about to see a major sift in the way air traffic works in this country and by extension air cargo. More and more airports are being dropped by airlines. Smaller planes are being used cutting back on cargo.
as an example American pulled out of Port o Plata for cargo in the Dominican Republic. We were able to change to another airport in the center of the country but I fear that airport may lose service also. That will necessitates a 12 hour round hour trip to the capital with $6.50 gas prices. At that point I will have to close the station.
One other point of information fish go as a perishable on the same level as frozen fish or fruits. They are about 3rd in line for priority. #1 is human remains. ( when you are dead the airlines does a better job of getting you somewhere than when you are alive) #2 the mail. Fish are kind of tied with flowers but get bumped at valentines day and mothers day for flowers