INSTITUTE OFAQUACULTURE

HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH

By

M.N. Alexis

SEA BREAM & SEA BASS SECTOR DISTRIBUTION IN MEDITERRANEAN

SPAIN

GREECE

CYPRUSFRANCE

TUNISIA

MALTAITALY

TURKEY

MOROCCO

PORTUGAL

CROATIA

260

3

9

66

4

49

43

2

3

19

175

GREEK FINFISH MARICULTURE12 years of EU / mediterranean leadership (about 50 % of production) thanks to adequate strategical / political / environmental choices

and dynamism of farmers

- Matching technique / species with environment- Low input / density sea cage ongrowing- Low input / density hatchery ==> HIGH MARKET COMPETITIVITY

GREECE260

INSTITUTE OF AQUACULTURE

The Institute is one of the five Institutes of HCMR and has been created by the unification of the Departments of Aquaculture of NCMR and IMBC, in Athens and Crete.

The basic objective of the Institute is to develop original scientific and technological research and also promote applications in the Aquaculture and related areas.

The Research performed concerns the understanding of the biological basis of Aquaculture and the development and optimization of tools and technologies of production for all the stages of the rearing cycle. This Research leads to scientific and technological applications, the development and transfer of technology and know-how as well as the development of new research personnel.

ImprovementValidation

Production Sector

Education Training

ServicesProducts

Pilot scale

Studies Advises

Political Level

Scientific Community

STRATEGY / METHODA classic push / pulled integrated R.T.D. approach

Innovation Knowledge

RESEARCHPROBLEMS / DEMAND

RESEARCH PRIORITIES

1- Fry production1 - Reproduction mechanisms and control2 - Biology and control of fish development3 - Ontogeny of behavior and applications (feeding, etc)

2- Improvements in production parameters and fish quality 1- Fish nutrition and feeding2- Fish pathology stress and immunology3- Fish flesh quality and standards

3- Technologies of production and Technological- Biotechnological products

1- Hatchery technologies and larviculture2- Automations for classical production cycle3- Open sea rearing4- Microalgae

4- Aquaculture and environment

Fry rearing

Reproduction mechanisms and Control

Applications• Production of good quality eggs all year around• New species• Production of fish of improved growth potential

Research subjects• Fish reproductive cycle (maturation, ovulation)• Influence of environment (mainly thermoperiod and photoperiod) • Use of hormonal implants and injections• Sperm and eggs quality (embryonic and pre-larval development)• Special case of Blue fin Tuna and other big fishes (size problem)• Special studies for new species (re-initiation of general approach)• Actions on the cycle (sex differentiation, early puberty and maturation)• Broodstock genetic improvement (HCMR + University and other partners)

Research subjects• Description of normal embryogenesis and larval development • Somatic plasticity and abnormalities (==> absence of deformities)• Links with environment (temperature, currents, etc) and technology• Genetic and gene expression (in collaboration with other groups)• Study of specific problems like:

Coloration (Pagrus)Sexual differentiation (sea bass)Growth and quality of flesh

Fry rearing

Biology and Control of Fish Development

Applications•Production of good quality larvae of optimum growth potential•New species

Fry rearing

Behaviour and Applications

Ontogeny and quality of basic behaviors •Normality - abnormality•Plasticity and adaptation•Relation with age and environment (temperature, light, food, fish density)•Relations inter and intra specific of similar and different sizes•Moments and capacity of learning and conditioning

Target studies of specific important behaviors•Feeding preferences (quantity, size, frequence, color) and adaptations (or not)•Swimming, repartition, schooling•Agressivity and cannibalism

Applications •Previsions of evolution, aetiology, correlations between behaviors•Tank organisation and management•Sorting devices of abnormal animals (swimblader, opercul) and mode of use•Self-feeders and self-choice •Behavioral illness

Collaborations with : labs. of psychophysiology / neurophysiology (brain)

Improvements in production-quality

Fish Nutrition and Feeding

Applications• Formulation of nutritionaly balanced diets for Mediterranean species• Evaluation of quality of commercial diets• Feeding tables, optimization of feeding• Demand feeders

Research subjects• Nutritional requirements (Vitamins, Fatty acids, Protein / Energy levels, Amino acids• Evaluation of raw material quality (Composition, digestibility)• Fish meal and fish oil replacement• Growth inhibitors and their effects on fish• Feed preferences and capacity for adaptation• Effect of feed pellet characteristics on feeding

Improvements in production-quality

Fish Pathology

Research subjects• Stress indices of fish and effect of stress on health status• Antibiotic treatment of sea bass and sea bream• Occurrence of pathogens in Greek Aquaculture• Fish immune system and effects of nutrition

Applications • Prevention: Suitable feeds, good management practice• Treatment: Correct diagnosis, correct use of antibiotics

Improvements in production-quality

Quality of Fish Flesh

Research subjects • Chemical, organoleptic and microbiological changes during storage• Comparison of wild and cultured fish• Effect of diet and feeding on fish composition and organoleptic• Dietary additives to improve quality• Withdrawal time for antibiotics

Applications• Food for tailorisation of fish quality (color, texture, structure, composition) • Healthy fish food• Consumer standards

Technology-Products

Hatchery technologies and larviculture

Research subjects• Larval rearing (extensive, mesocosm and intensive)

endo trophic endoexotrophic, exotrophic phases • Weaning (co-feeding, early weaning , weaning) • Nursery

Applications• new species• SME• possible tool for repopulation

Technology-Products

Automations for all the production cycle

Product development (through other research priorities)

• Self feeders

• Equipment for measuring environmental parameters

• Automated feeding systems for hatcheries (live food) and cages

• Continuous production systems for rotifers

Applications:• Cage farms

• Hatcheries

Technology-Products Microalgae

• Research subjectsMechanisms of photosynthesis

Mixed conditions of feeding

Development of photobioreactors

• Applications• Production in photo-bioreactors

• Biomass for

Aquaculture

Fine chemical Industry- Cosmetics

Human consumption

Technology-Products

Open sea cages

Research subjects• Automated systems for management

Feeding

Fish manipulation

Monitoring of fish populations

• Species specific methodology for large size fish

Applications• Aquaculture diversification

• Reduction of coastal zone conflicts

Aquaculture and Environment

Research subjects• Prediction models and remediation (in collaboration with other

groups)

• Fish feeds with minimal environmental discharges

• Feeding management

• Effect of aquaculture practices on marine microbial load

• Interaction of aquaculture and wild fish populations

Applications• Fish feed Industry

• Aquaculture units

• Public authorities

SERVICES & PRODUCTSBasic activity of the Institute aimed at fish farms, feed companies,

Feed additive suppliers, technology brokers

Needs•Limited ability to perform analytical work by the Industry•Lack of a National Reference laboratory

Type of support1- Provision of essential living material for hatcheries and on growing 2- Diagnostic procedures in pathology, fry quality, flesh quality, water quality3- Special studies needed by individual initiatives ISO, HACCP4- Test of industrial products used in aquaculture 5- Special research programs for solution of local (biological or technological) problems6- Transfer of technology to farms and training of staff

INSTALLATIONS

• Aqualab, Gournes Crete• Experimental Station, Aghios Kosmas Attiki• Aquarium, Gournes Crete• KALYPSO Technological Park, Souda Crete

KALYPSO TECHNOLOGICAL PARKAn infrastructure for optimization of innovations in marine aquaculture,

generation/ incubation of related start up, test of products and training

- HCMR (inst. Aq)- NIREUS S.A.- ZENON S.A.- ANEK lines- Coperative Bank of Chania- Coperative Bank of Heraclion- University of Crete- Polytechnic Chania- Souda community

Partnership

Five activities

New species Feeds Technological Products

Microalgae Blue fin Tuna culture