Problems and Achievements in Seed Production of the Black Sea Turbot in Russia

O.N. Maslova-2002

Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2: 23-27

Abstract:
This paper summarizes the research done at the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography to develop hatchery technology for the Black Sea turbot Scophthalmus maeoticus and release the juveniles produced into the sea. Quality of eggs and larvae, nutritional value of the live food organisms, and bacterial contamination of rearing tanks were the major factors responsible for the highly variable survival of turbot larvae during the first month of life, and the unpredictable hatchery production. Control of the timing of egg stripping and fertilization and removal of nonviable embryos during incubation helped improve the quality of eggs and larvae. Methods were developed to improve the quality of live food and the rearing conditions. Improved cultivation of live foods, enrichment of rotifers with algae mix, enrichment of Artemia metanauplii alternately with artificial diets and algae, and delaying the transition to feeding on Artemia nauplii helped improve the survival of turbot larvae. Only 5-7% of larvae had abnormal pigmentation. Survival was 80% at the end of the first month of life and 40-65% at the end of two months. Hatchery operation and production were thus stabilized. Regular release of hatchery-reared juvenile turbot into the sea can be an effective method of increasing the turbot population in the Black Sea.

(Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), 17, V. Krasmoselskay St., 107140, Moscow, Russia, Tel.: + 90 007 095 264 93 87; Fax: 007 095 264 93 67, E-mail: olgamasl@cityline.ru)

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