Octopus Farm Sisal

Octopus Farm Sisal

After nearly 10 years of intense and fruitful research and the work of a group of women from Sisal, on the Yucatan coast, and the first successful farm work in the world of culture Octopus, in this case, Octopus maya species endemic to the region.

"Elsewhere there have been attempts, but focused especially fattening, which is different to raise them from hatching of the eggs," said Guadalupe Villegas Barcenas, graduate of Marine Sciences and Limnology at the Multidisciplinary Unit in Teaching and Research (UMDI) campus Sisal, Yucatan, UNAM.

In aquaculture there is a long list of physical variables, chemical and biological, to consider to cultivate a kind." Diet is probably a crucial factor in the success of the crop. Ensuring the survival and growth with a good nutritional status is a challenge that is maintained throughout the process, "he said.

Breeding in the Wild

These animals begin their courtship reproduction in which the male and female movements unfold, change color facing each other, and at one point, the male leaves his sperm in couples. At the end of the third arm or tentacle of that, there is a structure that introduces the spermatophores or sperm packages in the mantle cavity of his companion.

"The sperm come together, say packed, hence its name. Once you are inside the cavity, the eggs are fertilized, after which the female ejects and takes them to a cave as a shelter prepared to continue its development, "Villegas said Barcenas.

Continental shelf Yucatan specifically Sisal region, there are many calcium carbonate formations, which being perforated by water seeping allow sea caverns are formed. Among these, the female looking and packaged for hanging on the ceiling their eggs around a filament that resembles a bunch of grapes.

During commissioning and embryo development, which lasts about 45 days, from hanging bunches until the animal leaves the egg hatches or-, is dedicated to care. At all times, protecting them from predators, and air resulting in a structure known as siphon kept clean of parasites.

The university indicated that "this process, which is the only reproductive in her life, she stops feeding, and days after hatching starving."

The Harvest

One of the features of Octopus maya is presenting "direct development", ie born with the physical characteristics of an adult. "I do not have a larval stage, and therein lies much of the success of captive breeding, because other species do have, and feed a growing is very difficult," he explained.

The harvest weight depends on its intended market, as some prefer adults or small octopus. Sisal is grown in baby octopus, of average weight 100 grams preferred by a type known as gourmet market.

This size is very ductile in the kitchen, because lets prepare in various ways, and their flesh is very soft. Among the economic benefits to the producer are that need less work and food, and its market price is higher than the adult octopus.

Two Patents for UNAM

Octopus Research in UMDI is divided into two work areas. One is the research itself, the experimental area, and the other is the culture, which is integrated cooperative. The two work closely together.

Cultivation began in the play area, which wild octopuses reach adults, male and female, caught by fishermen. Once she has made with eggs attached filament, the latter are removed and placed in incubators in which you try to recreate the atmosphere of the cave.

The incubators used in its production system are the result of the work of graduate students and researchers UMDI. Since 2010 are patented for UNAM.

Upon hatching, the young are carried to the areas of pre-fattening and fattening on, where they are fed. "In the culture, the process is considered by some researchers as the most important factor, because therein lies the economic viability of the project," he said.

In the wild, they eat mainly crustaceans like crabs, their preferred-, fish and other cephalopods. In captivity, if you do not accept what you are given, or if not nutritious enough, the breeding project does not work.

Octopuses Fed Dog Kibble

In other parts of the world have been used for surimi fish sticks with artificial-ground, frozen chicken, and even dog kibble. "These first attempts were pretty much trial and error," he said.

In 2010, Rosario Martínez (Autonomous University of Guanajuato) developed a food with crab and squid, among other things, which was well accepted. "In the UMDI, experimented on which Octopus maya fed with fresh crab, the best that could be offered, but at a high price. However, as giving good results are used as control diet in experiments "said VillegasBárcenas.

"The work of Rosario Martinez, and many others before yours, are very important because they were the beginning of a series of experiments that allowed us to develop a good quality food at a lower cost, with which the young grow fairly well.

"We did some experiments with ingredients and amounts until it achieved an appropriate formula nutrients and production costs, because one of the problems in the culture is the viability and profitability. Since the patent is in process will allow the UNAM commercialize, "he said.

Birth of the Women's Cooperative

In the community of Sisal is a division of labor in which men mainly go fishing, while women sell the product of fishing for the day, but keep some for home consumption.

Artisanal fishing is the main economic activity, and one of the most important fisheries in the country. However, during the closure period of six months, you can not remove the product, so that in that period, some practiced other trades in neighboring villages or in the city of Merida.

In 2005, with the aim of conserving the species and as an economical alternative that provides income during the closure, the UNAM community invited to join the project.

"From the outset, the men refused to participate, but there is always very entronas women and purposeful, and with them, about six or eight, started the job," recalled the researcher. "Later, some fellow fishermen were integrated. After several years of research and the work of the ladies, is thought to form a cooperative, which is called Mayab Mollusks, which alludes to the biology of the species and the region. "

Although still not much, because although commercial production is still in pilot stage, and there is a gain. At the time that production is a large scale, will be greater. "But this compensation, however small, will work," he said.

Knowledge Production

The crop group consists of researchers from the UMDI and graduate students from various parts of the country and the world, which provide the knowledge gained in their experiments. It forms a dumbbell with the members of the cooperative in a bidirectional flow between science and knowledge of the environment, and experience of the inhabitants of this coastal town.

"Carlos Rosas, Pedro Gallardo, Cristina Pascual, Maite Mascaro, Claudia Caamal (all the UMDI) are some masters of this great crew," he said