SELFDOTT REPORT 2008
SELFDOTT project 2008 Periodic Report One way to alleviate the pressure on the wild fishery of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, BFT) and aid in its conservation would be the domestication of the BFT and the development of a self-sustained industry. This aquaculture industry will propagate...
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| Format: | Other/Unknown Material |
| Language: | English |
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2009
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10508/355 http://hdl.handle.net/10261/313591 |
| Summary: | SELFDOTT project 2008 Periodic Report One way to alleviate the pressure on the wild fishery of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, BFT) and aid in its conservation would be the domestication of the BFT and the development of a self-sustained industry. This aquaculture industry will propagate the BFT in captive conditions, rear the larvae and produce fingerlings for further grow-out on suitable, scientifically formulated and environmentally performing feed, as it is done successfully in the EU for species such as the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Therefore, the overall objectives of SELFDOTT are to further study the reproductive biology and larval rearing of this species in captivity, and develop formulated feed for the ongrowin of the produced juveniles to commercial size. The above studies will also result in a better understanding of the life history and physiology of the BFT, which is necessary for the successful management of the wild stocks. In the area of reproduction, the objectives of SELFDOTT are to (a) enhance the existing knowledge on the reproductive biology (onset of puberty, gametogenesis, and gamete quality) and artificial spawning-induction of BFT; (b) optimize microsatellite markers to genotype BFT and their progeny, with applications to broodstock management and fisheries populations; (c) obtain fertilized and viable eggs, and ship them to larval rearing facilities for the production of juveniles; (d) develop appropriate broodstock diets for the support of reproductive maturation and gamete quality; and (e) study the behaviour of long-term reared wild broodstock and establish monitoring procedures; in order to develop the knowledge for a self-sustained aquaculture of the BFT. During Y1, two BFT broodstocks were established in Marsaxlokk Bay (Malta) and Cartagena (Spain). The broodstocks were fed according to an optimal diet of frozen fish and squid. Tags and muscle biopsies were obtained from the Malta ... |
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