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
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