From capture based to SELF-sustained aquaculture and Domestication Of bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus

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 sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › fisheries
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › nutrition

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

Activity type

Research Organisations

EU contribution

€ 613 250

Administrative Contact

Fernando De La Gándara (Dr.)

Participants (13)

HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH

Greece

EU contribution

€ 383 603

Address

Leoforos Athens Sounio 46 7Km
19013 Attikia Anavissos

Activity type

Research Organisations

Administrative Contact

Stylianos Kastrinakis (Mr.)

INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLOITATION DE LA MER

France

EU contribution

€ 287 149

Address

1625 Route De Sainte Anne Zone Industrielle De La Pointe Du Diable
29280 Plouzane

Activity type

Research Organisations

Administrative Contact

Marie-José Clement (Ms.)

HEINRICH-HEINE-UNIVERSITAET DUESSELDORF

Germany

EU contribution

€ 137 080

Address

Universitaetsstrasse 1
40225 Dusseldorf

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Uwe Droste

TUNA GRASO SA

Participation ended

Spain

EU contribution

€ 466 614,43

Address

Carretera De La Palma Km 7
30593 Cartagena

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

Administrative Contact

David Martínez Cañabate (Mr.)

Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Malta

EU contribution

€ 91 281

Address

6 Qormi Road
SVR 1301 Santa Venera

Activity type

Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)

 

Administrative Contact

Robert Vassallo-Agius (Dr.)

ISRAEL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND LIMNOLOGICAL RESEARCH LIMITED

Israel

EU contribution

€ 308 443

Address

Tel Shikmona
31080 Haifa

Activity type

Research Organisations

 

Administrative Contact

Meir Arieli (Mr.)

UNIVERSIDAD DE CADIZ

Spain

EU contribution

€ 44 900

Address

Centro Cultural Reina Sofia Paseo Carlos Iii N9
11003 Cadiz

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Javier Izquierdo Antón (Mr.)

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI BARI ALDO MORO

Italy

EU contribution

€ 119 618

Address

Piazza Umberto I 1
70121 Bari

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Gregorio De Metrio (Prof.)

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS

France

EU contribution

€ 63 500

Address

Rue Michel Ange 3
75794 Paris

Activity type

Research Organisations

Administrative Contact

Jocelyn Mere (Ms.)

SKRETTING AQUACULTURE RESEARCH CENTRE AS

Norway

EU contribution

€ 50 500

Address

Po Box 319
4016 Stavanger

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

 

Administrative Contact

Karl Sveinsvoll (Mr.)

UNIVERSITE MONTPELLIER 2 SCIENCES ET TECHNIQUES

France

EU contribution

€ 39 512

Address

Place Eugene Bataillon 2
34095 Montpellier

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Administrative Contact

Aurore Marcos (Ms.)

MFF LTD

Malta

EU contribution

€ 242 521

Address

Elbros Triq L Industrija Kirkop
KKP9042 Kirkop

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

 

Administrative Contact

Simeon Deguara (Dr.)

CALADEROS DEL MEDITERRANEO S.L.

Spain

EU contribution

€ 131 994,57

Address

Andres Cegarra Cayuela S/n
30360 La Union

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

 

Administrative Contact

David Martínez Cañabate (Mr.)