Corvina farming in RAS facilities shows encouraging results
CHILE
Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 09:30 (GMT + 9)
After two years of farming and fattening, more than 1600 specimens of corvina drum (Cilus gilberti) were successfully harvested at the Tongoy Aquaculture Center under the Corvina Program, promoted by Corfo and led by Fundación Chile.
The harvest marks a milestone for the program and the regional aquaculture industry, since it is the first of these volumes that is obtained in Tongoy and 100% produced with a recirculation system, which stands out for a high reuse of water, production of less waste and because it can be connected to renewable energy sources.
According to Cristóbal Cobo, director of the Corvina Program, "the harvest through recirculation systems demonstrates the strength of this species, which is also cultivated in open flow systems and cage rafts in Iquique."
Cobo stressed that the harvests began with small volumes that allowed tests in the market for a few months. "During this stage, eight shipments of between 10 and 300 kilos were made. Then a 1.5-ton harvest was carried out, which mostly became frozen filleted products without skin or spines to be marketed in the coming months."
The program is currently in its commercial phase, arriving with various products through the channels of Friosur, company that at the end of 2019 announced a contribution for CLP 400 million committed for this initiative, with which it seeks to enhance the capacity of breeders and genetic material for juvenile availability in all seasons of the year.
Eduardo Bruce, general manager of Friosur Alimentos del Mar, the company responsible for marketing the product, is very optimistic about the development in the market.
"The reaction has been very positive. Customers who have received our corvina value their quality, texture and color. It is a very good product and with great versatility at the time of cooking. Additionally, another favorable element is to have a stable supply over time. The wild corvina is generally a seasonal resource, with long periods of the year in which its catches are very low. Our corvina, being farmed, allows a regular and scheduled supply. "
Photo: FCH
During 2020, the program considers the harvest of another 3 tons of corvina drum in the Tongoy Aquaculture Center, coupled with a strong production of juveniles and reinforcement of breeding stocks for subsequent sale.
Meanwhile, in Iquique, where the activity has the support of the Arturo Prat University and the UNAP Development Corporation (Cordunap), Cristóbal Cobo points out that it is expected to harvest about 10 tons of corvina drum, and stock some 30,000 juveniles in cage rafts.
Source: El Economista
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