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MAJA: Integral cultivation of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (breeding and repopulation)

Pleamar program

MAJA deepens the development of the integral cultivation of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla to the obtaining of commercial-sized individuals for consumption and repopulation of unstructured natural banks of the Vigo estuary, to promote responsible and sustainable production of the species, in addition to the valorization of by-products of the process.

  • Actions for fattening
  • Studies of the anatomy, morphology and physiology of the species
  • Restocking methodologies that maximize the survival of released specimens
  • Exploitation of the by-products generated in their cultivation: new methods of extraction and preparation of preparations for the market
  • Study of the economic viability and evaluation of the circularity of the process, seeking sustainability.

Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Execution date:

2024

End date:

2026

The objective of the MAJA project is to develop an integrated and sustainable system for the cultivation, fattening and repopulation of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla, which maximizes production efficiency and contributes to the conservation and recovery of the species. Likewise, it seeks to generate innovative products and take advantage of the by-products of the process in a circular way, ensuring economic viability and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. The project begins with the optimization of larval culture and pre-fattening aimed at obtaining the largest number of juveniles to achieve the following objectives:

  • Fattening in trough cages using by-products of mussel farming as a food source.
  • Repopulation of unstructured natural banks.
  • New methods of extracting the viands and making preparations for their conservation and marketing.
  • Exploration of sustainable uses of by-products generated during cultivation.
  • Study of the anatomy and physiology of this species in all its phases of development by means of tomography.
  • Analysis of circularity and economic evaluation focused on guaranteeing the environmental and economic sustainability of the project.
programa
linea de actuación

MAJA: Integral cultivation of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (breeding and repopulation)