August 11, 2010

 

Spain, Japan join effort in bluefin tuna domestication

A Japanese scientist from Kinki University will collaborate with experts from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) to work on the domestication of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and other scombroid fish such as Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda).

 

Tuna farming specialists from the IEO, led by researchers at the Oceanographic Centre of Murcia, have participated in and coordinated numerous research projects, three of them within the Framework Programmes of the EU.

 

Spanish investigators were able to increase their understanding of bluefin tuna reproduction, larval rearing and feeding. Specifically, they obtained a large amount of information, related to the life cycle of the Atlantic bonito in captivity and the development of formulated diets that are more respectful to the environment.

 

The recruitment of Japanese expert Manabu Seoka was made possible thanks to the agreement signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Water and the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT).

 

Last June, scientists at the Institute were able to obtain large quantities viable eggs laid by bluefin tuna in captivity without hormonal induction. This scientific breakthrough was achieved in the facilities of the Oceanographic Centre of Murcia.

 

Until now, experts had only managed several layings of over five million viable eggs of bluefin tuna by hormonal induction in the facilities located in El Gorguel, Cartagena (Murcia).

 

The research was carried out under the European project Selfdott (Self-sustained Aquaculture and Domestication of Bluefin Tuna), which studies the progress of cultivation of bluefin tuna in captivity, under the coordination of Fernando de la Gandara.

 

This time, the laying of more than 10 million viable eggs in one day was achieved, they said.