Groundbreaking Achievement: World's First Success in Fish Farming Technique
Wowza, Taiwan just pulled off a groundbreaking feat in the world of aquaculture! The Fisheries Research Institute has managed to artificially raise and mature narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, smashing previous records. Some of these magnificent creatures even ended up weighing a whopping 7 kilograms and stretching over 80 centimeters!
Back in April and May of 2023, they made waves globally with their breakthrough in artificially fertilizing mackerel larvae. This remarkable achievement marked the world's first successful land-based larviculture of this species.
After the initial batch of fry matures in land-based tanks, they faced a tough challenge with a high mortality rate – a common issue among these aggressive fish prone to tank collisions and escape attempts.
But fear not, researchers from the institute have since optimized conditions for their survival, keeping the population alive for over 600 days! The fish samples even displayed signs of reproduction, hinting at the feasibility of land-based breeding in captivity.
This research sets the stage for full-cycle artificial breeding of this species for farming purposes, bringing us one step closer to having a sustainable, reliable source of these popular, high-value fish. The research findings have been published in the esteemed journal Aquaculture International, showcasing Taiwan's innovative prowess in aquaculture technology.
Oh, did we mention that narrow-barred Spanish mackerel is a treasure in Taiwanese cuisine? During the Lunar New Year, these fish are so coveted that a single one can fetch over NT$10,000! The wild catch has been on the decline, though, dipping down from 6,600 tonnes in 2002 to just 522 tonnes in 2023. Factors including overfishing, habitat degradation, and fluctuations in the maritime environment contribute to this decline.
Alarmingly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified the species as "near threatened" in 2023. This breakthrough in aquaculture can help to ease the pressure on wild mackerel populations and, ultimately, contributes to sustainable seafood production. Keep your eyes peeled for this tasty delicacy soon reaching market shelves near you!
Scientific advancements in aquaculture have come to light as Taiwan successfully inseminated and raised narrow-barred Spanish mackerel larvae, marking a world-first for land-based larviculture of this species. The survival of these fish samples for over 600 days, even exhibiting signs of reproduction, vouches for the feasibility of land-based breeding in captivity. This research could pave the way for sustainable and reliable farming of these high-value fish, contributing to the health-and-wellness sector by easing the pressure on wild mackerel populations and promoting environmental-science practices.
