Belarusians have figured out how to artificially breed river crayfish
Belarusian scientists have developed a technology for industrial breeding of river crayfish in closed pools. Specialists from the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy have created an incubation unit which, according to the developers, allows increasing the survival rate of larvae up to 90%. This can create conditions for growing crayfish in large volumes on specialized farms, writes Fishingby.
Crayfish breeding is considered a difficult task, as these animals are sensitive to temperature and water quality. The scientists' main attention was focused on the most vulnerable stage — the transition from egg to young crayfish.
In nature, egg incubation can last about eight months. Researchers plan to carry out incubation at a temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius and reduce this period to approximately three months. If the calculated indicators are confirmed, the technology will allow faster production of juveniles and a transition to industrial production volumes.
The development has been ongoing for about 20 years, involving several generations of scientists and students from the academy. The technology is currently undergoing patenting, which is planned to be completed in spring.
Initially, researchers focused on breeding the narrow-clawed crayfish, the number of which has significantly decreased in Belarusian reservoirs in recent years. Afterwards, they want to focus on the noble crayfish, which is listed in the Red Book of Belarus. Industrial breeding of these animals can contribute not only to the development of aquaculture but also to the restoration of natural populations.
Another promising direction is the co-cultivation of crayfish and fish in fish farming ponds. This will allow the use of existing farm infrastructure and simultaneously yield additional products.
The next task for scientists is to move from laboratory experiments to the practical implementation of the development. According to their estimates, crayfish grown in Belarus, with the creation of industrial farms, will be able to compete in price with imported products.
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