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CenSE researchers: Heidi Arnouts, Jimmy Cattrysse, Jurgen Adriaen, Stef Aerts, Thomas Abeel, Wouter Meeus
Contact: Jurgen Adriaen
Duration: January 2016 – December 2018
The Aqua-ERF started in 2009 with research into the breeding of freshwater cod. From these AquaVlan and EFF studies we have gained a lot of knowledge and experience about this fish in its various life stages.
The Aqua-ERF started in 2009 with research into the breeding of freshwater cod. From these AquaVlan and EFF studies we have gained a lot of knowledge and experience about this fish in its various life stages. The sector itself is looking for new fish species suitable for Belgian aquaculture, with the aim of providing our country with its own consumption fish as much as possible. Freshwater cod may be a suitable candidate for this. Its low feed conversion and potentially rapid growth as a cold-water species are important assets that our studies have shown. His high scores on taste tests combined with his history as an ingredient in “Gentse Waterzooi” make this fish a culinary must.
However, to date, potential breeders lack real production and market data to start breeding freshwater cod. To fill this gap, Aqua-ERF wants to guide growers from the breeding and production of freshwater cod.
Aqua-ERF will provide fry and know-how to growers who participate in the project. The growers are supervised and the cultivation to market weight is monitored by the Aqua-ERF. In cooperation with KU Leuven, derived products will be created and tried out by a taste panel. This product diversification should lead to increasing the market potential of farmed freshwater cod. Fish sales and consumer appreciation will also be analyzed during the project.
The line of research on larval culture at Aqua-ERF is also being continued in this project. By optimizing the grazing protocol, Aqua-ERF not only wants to increase the production of fry, but also to guarantee stable and high-quality production of fry to the sector.
The follow-up of the complete rearing of freshwater cod and associated investigations must provide a clear overview of the various aspects (consumer appreciation, production parameters, profitability, etc.) that determine the feasibility of commercial rearing.
A profitability study will be conducted based on the research results. This should be a support for potential breeders, with which we want to pave the way for the fully-fledged commercial breeding of freshwater cod in Belgium.
