The growth rate of cod in aquaculture can be increased using a natural method, according to results from the European project CODLIGHT-TECH, which is led by scientists at Matvælarannsóknir Íslands (Matís). The results indicate that it is possible to encourage growth and slow down the puberty of cod in aquaculture. These results are innovative and important in the development of cod farming in the world, but they can contribute to shorter farming times, improved feed utilization and more efficient cod farming.
Furthermore, it can be said that the results are interesting because energy prices are low in Iceland and therefore this is a real option for Icelandic farmers.
The research is a joint project of Matís, Hraðfrystihús Gunnvarar and Álfsfell in Ísafjörður, Stirling University and Johnson Seafarms in Scotland, Intravision Group, the Marine Research Institute in Bergen and Fjord Marin in Norway and the Agricultural University of Lund in Sweden. In addition, Vaki DNG participates in the project.
Dr. Þorleifur Ágústsson, project manager at Matís, says that it is very important to be able to prevent sexual maturation in cod in farming. When a cod reaches sexual maturity, it stops growing so that the rearing period is extended with associated costs for the farmer.
Þá sé vitað að þorskur hrygnir í sjókvíunum og því megi telja að frjóvguð hrogn berist út í umhverfið en þó beri að taka fram að ekki hafi verið sýnt fram á neikvæða blöndun erfðaefnis og slíkar rannsóknir séu ennþá á byrjunarreit. Þá sé hér stigið mjög mikilvægt skref í þá átt að gera eldi að umhverfisvænum iðnaði með bættri nýtingu fóðurs sem leiðir til þess að minna fóður fellur til botns undir kvíum. “Samhliða þessum rannsóknum vinnur Matís ásamt samstarfsaðilum að víðtækum rannsóknum á umhverfisáhrifum sjókvíaeldis með það að markmiði að auka sjálfbærni þorskeldis, sem þýðir að ekki sé gengið á auðlindina,” segir Dr. Þorleifur Ágústsson.
"Following the debate in Europe on aquaculture, it is clear that cod farming is generally considered to be the next major aquaculture industry after salmon farming. It is predicted that by 2010 European nations' production of farmed cod will reach around 175,000 tonnes, with a market value of around EUR 880 million. Therefore, producers place great emphasis on defining and solving the problems that can affect the development of the industry, but one of those problems is the sexual maturity of farmed cod, "says Þorleifur.