GROWBASS

Research Directions:

Reproduction and physiology

Fish nutrition and feeding

Production technologies

Description:

The purpose of this project was to develop a new holistic approach to European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) cultivation that takes into account the interrelated factors of growth, vigor / fat content of the body and reproductive maturation of the population. To achieve this goal, the research effort was organized in three main areas: a) Production of female sea bass individuals, b) Suspension / Postponement of the reproductive maturation of the population through change of photoperiod and food management and c) Increase in growth rate through qualitative change which includes eight sections of work.

Specifically, GROWBASS investigated:

1) Effect of rearing temperature during larval rearin on sex differentiation, and subsequent growth,

2) Difference in the reproductive function (quantity and quality of sperm) of males between early precocious (1st year) and normal (2nd year) reproductive maturation,

3) Effect of early precocious (1st year) and normal (2nd year) reproductive maturation on body growth,

4) Comparison of intensive rearing and mesocosm rearing in regards to the female percentage of the population,

5) Management of feeding for the purpose of postponing / inhibiting reproductive maturation,

6) Photoperiod management with the aim of postponing / inhibiting reproductive maturation and increasing body growth,

7) Effect of food fat percentage on body growth and feed conversion and on reproductive maturation,

8) Economic and technical study of sea bass rearing under the new management model.