Nov
2
Sea cucumber larvae phase succeeds in Galicia
Filed Under EN
GMA facilities. (Photo: Galician Marine Aquaculture)
Sea cucumber larvae phase succeeds in Galicia
SPAIN
Monday, November 03, 2014, 03:00 (GMT + 9)
The Cooperative of Shipowners of Vigo (ARVI) and the farming plant Galician Marine Aquaculture (GMA) are leading a sea cucumber farming project in Galicia.
As part of Hologal project, scientists have been able to successfully complete the larvae stage in the farming process of this invertebrate wormlike species in captivity, which so far has been discarded by the Galician fleet but is highly demanded in the Asian and Mediterranean markets.
Proponents of the initiative described it as “a giant step” in a pioneering process as it is the first time that this invertebrate is grown in captivity.
To the company, it is a great achievement to complete the larval rearing phase in such a short period of time.
From the hatching step of the fertilized eggs until they reach the pentacula larva period (which sits on the substrate), the larvae go through different stages and each has certain nutritional requirements, the newspaper Faro de Vigo reported.
According to Pedro Oscar Santamaria, GMA manager, various species of microalgae are farmed in high-performance systems or photobioreactors to suit them to the needs of every type of sea cucumber larvae.
From now on, the firm faces the larvae sitting stage prior to the fattening phase of the juvenile specimens.
“That’s a new challenge that is ‘sensitive and difficult’,” the executive added.
Hologal project began last year and has the following members: Talleres Josmar, responsible for developing the processing equipment on board; GMA, which investigates the possibility of cultivation and breeding; Portomuiños, in charge of developing gastronomic products based on the species; and Ebiotec, the laboratory that is responsible for developing medical products with components of this product.
In addition, it has the collaboration of the National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Fish and Shellfish (ANFACO-CECOPESCA); of the shipowner Walvisfish, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) in Vigo and the Centre for Network Biomedical Research (CIBER).
Currently, each kilogram of sea cucumber costs up to EUR 150 in the Asian market.
Related article:
– Multitrophic aquaculture reduces organic waste
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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