Tag: Turbot

Reports

Optimization of Icelandic turbot culture / Profitability increase in Icelandic sandeel farming

Published:

01/07/2012

Authors:

Sigurlaug Skírnisdóttir, Kristinn Ólafsson, Eirik Leknes, Jón Árnason, Snorri Gunnarsson, Benedikt Kristjánsson, Sigurbjörg Hauksdóttir, Steinunn Magnúsdóttir, Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir, María Pétursdóttir, Helgi Thorarensen, Soizic Le Deuff, Arnþór Gústavsson, Gunnar Örn Kristjánsson, Trond Bjørndal, Sigríður Hjörleifsdóttir, Albert Imsland

Supported by:

Technology Development Fund

Contact

Sigurlaug Skírnisdóttir

Project Manager

sigurlaug.skirnisdottir@matis.is

Optimization of Icelandic turbot culture / Profitability increase in Icelandic sandeel farming

The main goal of the project "Increasing profitability in Icelandic sandeel farming (MAXIMUS)" was to develop methods to reduce production costs in sandeel farming in Iceland. Sandhverfa is for the most part raised in pots on land and is therefore very suitable for farming in Iceland, in addition to which the market price is high (about 1500 ISK / kg) and stable. Land farming, on the other hand, is costly and therefore new and better technical solutions must be sought to increase the efficiency of farming. The MAXIMUS project worked on the development of a new light cycle control that makes it possible to increase growth by up to 20%. Work was done on the development of new feed types which sought to reduce the weight of sea protein and managed to reduce feed costs by up to 10% compared to conventional feed. This will make it possible to increase the efficiency of aquaculture in the later stages of the aquaculture process. The project also developed a multiplex genetic marker kit for a sandeel that has made it possible to genotype large numbers of juveniles quickly and safely. This genetic marker kit will be used to accelerate genetic progress in sandeel farming in the future. Market research was carried out and an attempt was made to examine the future prospects of the farm. Sandeel production will probably increase considerably in the coming years, but despite an increase in recent years, prices have remained stable. The results of the project strongly indicate that sandeel farming is economical in Iceland and the methods that have been developed in the project will increase the likelihood of development and investment in sandeel farming in Iceland.

The overall aim of this project, MAXIMUS, was to develop methods to significantly reduce production costs in farming of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Production of turbot in Iceland has been growing and therefore it is important to develop technology to lower the production costs. Turbot is an ideal species for farming in land ‐ based stations in Iceland, having many good characteristics as an aquaculture species and high (1500 kr / kg) and stable market value. Rearing fish in land ‐ based farms comes however with a cost and it is important to constantly strive to develop new technology to reduce cost of production. Firstly, methods to use photoperiod control to increase growth rate up to 20% compared to traditional methods were developed. Secondly, it was found that crude protein in turbot feed can be reduced by approximately 10% compared to current level in commercial feed without negative effects on growth. This will make production of a more cost efficient and less expensive feed for large turbot possible. Thirdly, multiplex genotyping systems were developed, making it possible to determine the pedigree of the parent fish during breeding to ensure genetic diversity leading to high growth rate. Finally, the current and future developments in turbot production and markets were analyzed. Production of this species is likely to increase considerably in coming years. In addition, there are important developments in technology that may impact on future supply and cost of production. An estimate of the economic implications of optimized turbot farming system in Iceland, profitability and revenue, was also investigated. Overall the results from this project will make turbot production in Iceland more feasible, and profitable, in the future.

Report closed until 01.12.2013

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Reports

Turbot - a new colonist from the sea / Sandhverfa - a new settler from the deep

Published:

01/06/2012

Authors:

Sigurlaug Skírnisdóttir, Kristinn Ólafsson, Arild Folkvord, Matthías Oddgeirsson, Sigurbjörg Hauksdóttir, Steinunn Magnúsdóttir, Sigríður Hjörleifsdóttir, Snorri Gunnarsson, Hans Høie, Julie Skadal, Agnar Steinarsson, Albert Imsland

Supported by:

Fisheries Project Fund

Contact

Sigurlaug Skírnisdóttir

Project Manager

sigurlaug.skirnisdottir@matis.is

Turbot - a new colonist from the sea / Sandhverfa - a new settler from the deep

The purpose of the project was threefold:

• To obtain information on the distribution, migration and population growth of a sand dune near Iceland.  

• To use the reading of oxygen and carbon isotopes in grinders to assess the ambient temperature and life history of a sand dune near Iceland.  

• To develop DNA genotypes and assess the genetic variability of sandeels in Iceland and compare them with sandeels in nearby oceans.  

In total, samples were collected from 70 sandeels caught in Icelandic waters. The majority of the samples were collected off the southwest coast (67%) and this coincides with the ambient temperature in these areas, which is suitable for a sand dune. Sand turbines were found in the southeast and off the northeast in the autumn when the annual sea temperature in these areas is highest. About 300 samples were taken from the grinders of 25 sand turbines, aged 3 to 19 years, and oxygen (O) and hydrocarbon isotopes were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Using this method, the ambient temperature of the sampled fish was calculated to be in the range of 3-15 ° C. A clear seasonal fluctuation in ambient temperature was observed in the majority of the mills, although individual variability in ambient temperature was also significant. Lower calculated ambient temperatures were found in samples from the northeast compared to samples from the southwest and southeast coasts. The structure of a sand eel in Icelandic waters was studied with 12 genetic markers and it was compared with a sand eel from the northeast Atlantic and the Adriatic Sea. Significant genetic differences were found between all pairs of samples on the Kattegat and the Adriatic Sea, on the one hand, and between Iceland and the Irish Sea, as well as southern Norway and the Irish Sea. This basic study therefore suggests that sand eels in Icelandic waters may have originated in southern Norway. The results of the SETTLEMENTS project indicate that the sand dunes off Iceland are establishing themselves as a special Icelandic stock and that a new settler has arrived from the depths.

The aim of the LANDNEMI project was threefold:

• To collect information about distribution, migration and population growth of turbot in Icelandic waters.

• Use stable oxygen and carbon isotope signals in turbot otoliths to extract information about environmental and life history of turbot in Icelandic waters.

• To develop DNA multiplex microsatellites and determine intra- and inter-population genetic diversity of turbot.

Samples from 70 turbot caught in Icelandic fishing grounds were collected, with majority of the fish caught of the southwest coast (67%) in line with higher sea temperatures in those areas. The turbot caught in other fishing grounds around Iceland (southeast and northeast) were caught during fall when the sea temperatures reach the annual high. Nearly 300 otolith samples were extracted from otoliths of 25 turbot, with age ranging from 3 to 19 years, and subject to mass spectrometry determination of stable oxygen and carbon isotopes. The results from mass spectrometry analysis were then used to calculate temperatures experienced during the life span of the sampled turbot, and were found to be in the range from 3 to 15 ° C. Clear seasonal patterns in experienced temperature were observed in the majority of the turbot otoliths, although the individual range in experienced temperature varied substantially. A lower experienced temperature was indicated from a fish caught off Norðausturhorn compared to those caught off Suðvesturhorn and Suðausturhorn. The stock structure of turbot was investigated with 12 microsatellite markers in North-East Atlantic Ocean and the Adriatic Sea. Hierarchical analysis identified three primary genetic groups; one from the Adriatic Sea, one from Kattegat, and the third composing of samples from Iceland, south Norway, the Irish Sea and the North Sea. The third group was further divided into two clusters; Iceland and south Norway, and the Irish Sea and the North Sea. This pilot study suggests that the turbot in Icelandic waters may originate from southern Norway. Overall the results from the LANDNEMI project indicate that turbot around Iceland is emerging as an Icelandic stock unit and that the species could be considered a new colonist from the sea.

Report closed until 01.12.2013

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