Project: Identification of broodstock performance indicators and markers to boost the aquaculture of emerging fish species
| Acronym | BESTBROOD (Reference Number: 40) |
| Duration | 01/09/2020 - 31/08/2023 |
| Project Topic | Appropriate broodstock management is essential for supporting reproductive function and reliable and consistent production of gametes and high-quality eggs, critical for the rapid increase in juveniles supply and turn aquaculture into a profitable industry. In all species commercialized to date, this has been the first significant challenge to overcome and it is still so for many emerging species. The BESTBROOD project aims to build upon state-of-the-art from previous EU and National projects and, evolve biotechnologies that significantly improve broodstock management methods and enhance reproductive performance of selected emerging species (Senegalese sole, greater amberjack, spotted wolffish and lumpfish). All these species are in an early commercial stage, but all have showed suitability for farming, high economic value and market demand. To create the BEST BROODstocks the project plans to: 1) develop genetic markers and bioindicators; 2) create knowledge on the best rearing conditions; 3) improve the control of the maturation cycles; 4) test hormonal therapies and artificial fertilization methods and; 5) reduce dependence on wild fish for egg production. As a result, the BESTBROOD will lead to a more stable and predictable supply of high volumes of high-quality eggs for the production of juveniles to meet market demands for sustainability, and increase Europe’s aquaculture competitiveness. The BESTBROOD brings together a multi-disciplinary consortium of partners with established expertise in fish breeding and reproductive biology to develop, validate and up-scale to the industry new tools and technologies and ensure research efforts are targeted to overcome the main reproductive bottlenecks affecting the project’s focus species. The BESTBROOD Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) is oriented to the needs and demands of the aquaculture industry, improving knowledge exchange, innovation, communication and dissemination and thus increasing the final impact of the projects. |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
Main expected results include new adapted tools, biotechnologies and protocols specific for the 4 focus species covering: - Genetic markers and gamete quality bioindicators to assist in broodstock selection and identification of the best hatchery practices; - Deeper knowledge on the species’ reproductive biology; - Adapted broodstock feeds according to the species specific nutritional needs; - Protocols for improved rearing conditions that ameliorate welfare status and reproductive performance; - Hormonal therapies to increase gamete production and quality; - Sperm cryopreservation protocols to facilitate broodstocks management. |
| Website | visit project website |
| Network | BlueBio |
| Call | 1st BlueBio Joint Call |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nord University | Coordinator | Norway |
| 2 | Akvaplan-niva | Partner | Norway |
| 3 | Hellenic Centre for Marine Research | Partner | Greece |
| 4 | Instituto Andaluz de Investigación y Formación Agraria, Pesquera, Alimentaria y de la Producción Ecológica | Partner | Spain |
| 5 | University of Bari Aldo Moro | Partner | Italy |
| 6 | Argosaronikos SA | Partner | Greece |
| 7 | Cultivos Piscícolas Marinos S.A. | Partner | Spain |