Goliath grouper larvae. (Photo: Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia)

Goliath grouper managed to be bred in captivity

COLOMBIA
Tuesday, June 23, 2015, 01:50 (GMT + 9)

A team of scientists from the Research, Education and Recreation Centre (CEINER) "Rosario Islands Oceanarium" achieved unprecedented progress: to reproduce Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) specimens in captivity, a fish that is highly prized in the world and an endangered extinction.

This scientific breakthrough was achieved about 40 days ago, after having conducted research and practical work for two decades. The studies performed are part of one of the research project 'Programme for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Colombian Caribbean."

"We were ready, but it was a big challenge as it is a new species for science in this process, and we could not have a technology transfer from experts on the Goliath grouper because there are none," pointed out the marine biologist Jaime Rojas, a scientific director of the Rosario Islands Oceanarium.

The researcher explained that after adapting adult specimens to captive conditions, different females and males were selected, of which samples of eggs and sperm were extracted, respectively, to determine when they were ready to breed, El Universal reported.

After over 50 trials, the team selected more than 15 reproducers, among males and females, and from them the best of each sex was chosen. The reproducers were placed in a tank, and it was expected until the eggs and sperm release took place.

"That reproduction could not have been successful due to infertile eggs or because they were of poor quality, and if so, trials had to be continued, but in this case it was a very successful spawning, with very high fertility, which led to the collection of eggs and place them in the laboratory," stressed Rojas.

Fertile eggs were deposited in two places: the Rosario Islands Oceanarium and Research Aquaculture Centre of Colombia (CENIACUA), in Punta Canoa.

Once in these places, the development of eggs continued and just as they hatched larvae, entered larva farming phase and started feeding them.

According to Andrés Suárez, CENIACUA director general, "one of the bottlenecks of larva farming is the food because the marine fish mouth at this stage is very small and they consume only live food, then it is necessary to breed and produce a species called rotifers and microalgae to feed them, and it is not easy."

"They must be available all the time, 365 days a year, even if there is no spawning," he added.

Suarez stressed the importance of this scientific progress made by Colombia and its positive impact, as the Goliath grouper "is the world's second largest species of groupers, has great commercial interest and is known worldwide for its delicious meat, and it is an endangered species."

The next step will be to develop a protocol that can be replicated.

"What is important is that further spawning occurs so the process can be repeated once and again, make corrections in both laboratories and enter details with a replicable technology package", concluded the scientist.

By Analia Murias
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
 

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