Objective SELFDOTT proposes to implement knowledge already obtained on the artificial control of reproduction of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT), Thunnus thynnus, to obtain viable eggs, and study embryonic and larval development for the production of fry (juveniles). At the same time, suitable and environmentally performing feeds for the growout of BFT will be developed, thus reducing or eliminating the practice of raw fish importation and feeding by the fattening industry. Wild juvenile and mature BFT will be reared in captivity at two sites in the Mediterranean, and will be used to study puberty, gametogenesis, and the influence of diet on reproductive maturation and gamete quality. Mature fish will be induced to spawn using hormone implants and the eggs will be collected using devices designed specifically for cages. To establish the knowledge-base for controlled development of BFT larvae, the mesocosm and artificial larval rearing methods will be employed. The ontogenesis of essential biological functions will be studied, including environmental perception, digestion, immunity and behaviour. A protocol for the commercial-scale larval rearing of BFT will be recommended at the end of the project. Whole body and stomach composition of wild fish will be analyzed and serve as a guide to formulate nutritionally complete artificial feeds for BFT. Juveniles will be captured from the wild, adapted to captive conditions and used to carry out weaning and feeding experiments, using moist and dry pelleted diets. The environmental impact of the formulated feeds will be examined and compared to existing raw-fish practises. SELFDOTT will produce the basic knowledge necessary for the development of a self-sustained aquaculture industry for the BFT in the Mediterranean, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the EU aquaculture industry, while at the same time reducing the pressure on the wild BFT stocks and ensuring the conservation and recovery of this magnificent fish. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesfisheriesmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants Keywords Aquaculture Bluefin tuna Conservation Fisheries Larval rearing Nutrition Reproduction Thunnus thynnus Programme(s) FP7-KBBE - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology Topic(s) KBBE-2007-1-2-09 - From capture based to self-sustained aquaculture Call for proposal FP7-KBBE-2007-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator INSTITUTO ESPANOL DE OCEANOGRAFIA Address Corazon de maria 8 28002 Madrid Spain See on map Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Fernando De La Gándara (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 613 250,00 Participants (13) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH Greece EU contribution € 383 603,00 Address Leoforos athens sounio 46 7km 19013 Attikia anavissos See on map Region Αττική Aττική Ανατολική Αττική Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Stylianos Kastrinakis (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLOITATION DE LA MER France EU contribution € 287 149,00 Address 1625 route de sainte anne zone industrielle de la pointe du diable 29280 Plouzane See on map Region Bretagne Bretagne Finistère Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Marie-José Clement (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window HEINRICH-HEINE-UNIVERSITAET DUESSELDORF Germany EU contribution € 137 080,00 Address Universitaetsstrasse 1 40225 Dusseldorf See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Uwe Droste Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window TUNA GRASO SA Participation ended Spain EU contribution € 466 614,43 Address Carretera de la palma km 7 30593 Cartagena See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact David Martínez Cañabate (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Malta EU contribution € 91 281,00 Address 6 qormi road SVR 1301 Santa venera See on map Region Malta Malta Malta Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Robert Vassallo-Agius (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window ISRAEL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND LIMNOLOGICAL RESEARCH LIMITED Israel EU contribution € 308 443,00 Address Tel shikmona 31080 Haifa See on map Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Meir Arieli (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window UNIVERSIDAD DE CADIZ Spain EU contribution € 44 900,00 Address Centro cultural reina sofia paseo carlos iii n9 11003 Cadiz See on map Region Sur Andalucía Cádiz Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Javier Izquierdo Antón (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI BARI ALDO MORO Italy EU contribution € 119 618,00 Address Piazza umberto i 1 70121 Bari See on map Region Sud Puglia Bari Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gregorio De Metrio (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France EU contribution € 63 500,00 Address Rue michel ange 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jocelyn Mere (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window SKRETTING AQUACULTURE RESEARCH CENTRE AS Norway EU contribution € 50 500,00 Address Po box 319 4016 Stavanger See on map Region Norge Vestlandet Rogaland Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Karl Sveinsvoll (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window UNIVERSITE MONTPELLIER 2 SCIENCES ET TECHNIQUES France EU contribution € 39 512,00 Address Place eugene bataillon 2 34095 Montpellier See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Aurore Marcos (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window MFF LTD Malta EU contribution € 242 521,00 Address Elbros triq l industrija kirkop KKP9042 Kirkop See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Simeon Deguara (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window CALADEROS DEL MEDITERRANEO S.L. Spain EU contribution € 131 994,57 Address Andres cegarra cayuela s/n 30360 La union See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact David Martínez Cañabate (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window