Common octopus, Octopus vulgaris. (Photo: IEO)
Advances in octopus larval faming improve commercial viability expectations
SPAIN
Thursday, January 18, 2018, 23:20 (GMT + 9)
Scientists from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), at their centers in Tenerife and Vigo, have carried out a series of tests with common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) paralarvae that have improved the viability of this species under farming conditions.
These tests are part of the Octowelf project coordinated by the IEO and the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), where the universities of Granada, Vigo and La Laguna also collaborate. This project has focused on improving the conditions of the paralarvae cultivation, feeding and nutrition.
The IEO explains that, although now they can not consider closing the cycle in captivity at commercial level, these trials have achieved survival rates higher than those obtained in previous studies through new cultivation and feeding techniques.
Furthermore, a remarkable growth of these larvae has been achieved, which has allowed the reasearchers to begin the settlement phase, a process that takes place when the paralarva leaves the plankton life (freely swimming) and enters the benthic phase (on the seabed) where the juvenile and adult phase takes place.
Cephalopods in general - and common octopus in particular - are an increasingly demanded source of protein and the global fisheries of these species have increased their catches in recent years in a significant way.
The common octopus has high growth rates and a short life cycle, which makes it an ideal candidate for commercial aquaculture. This has led researchers from all over the world to study how to domesticate this and other cephalopod species and raise them in captivity. However, their dietary requirements during the early stages of development are difficult to obtain and scientists have not yet managed to formulate an adequate diet.
Cephalopod species that are fattened in cages after being caught in the sea are commercialized, such as the common octopus in Galicia, the red octopus (Octopus maya) in Mexico and other species in Asian countries. However, much remains to be investigated to achieve the integral culture of these species.
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