Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

Overall project objective: To reduce the transfer of parasites between wild fish populations and fish reared in open ocean nurseries.

Specific objectives of the project:

O.1. Know the species of wild fish associated with aquaculture farms.
O.2. Know the parasites shared by wild species associated with aquaculture farms and the species raised in them.
O.3. To study parasitic interactions and potential hazards to wildlife from the transmission of parasites from animals reared in cages in the open sea.
O.4. To study the presence of parasitic forms in structures of aquaculture farms.
O.5. Develop recommendations to minimise the impact of aquaculture farms on wild
species O.6. Disseminate project results

Activity 0: Management, coordination and administration

Activity 1: Population study of the fauna around the nurseries and measurement of environmental parameters

Activity 2: Parasitological study of intracage and extracage species

Activity 3: Study of the presence of parasitic forms in structures of aquaculture farms

Activity 4: Study of parasitic interactions

Activity 5: Recommendations and training of staff to minimize the risk of spread of pathogens

Activity 6: Dissemination events of the project results

Photo trapping system:
In order to evaluate the synanthropic species around the aquaculture cages, a photo-trapping system for the capture of periodic images designed in previous editions of Parapez was installed on the outside of them. This system consisted of the installation of three underwater cameras at different heights (2.5, 10 and 15 m), which took images every 20 seconds.
In addition, a photo trapping system has been designed capable of taking images for periods of more than 24 hours, even in dark conditions.
In total, more than 11,000 underwater images were evaluated, of which about 1,800 were nocturnal, from which it was possible to study the presence of species in the vicinity of the farms. The presence of bogas, pomfrets, breams, alachas, horse mackerel … as well as predators such as tuna, barracudas or dolphins.

Analysis of aquaculture and synanthropic species:
More than 500 fish have been sampled throughout the project, from aquaculture farms – sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) – and from synanthropic species caught in the participating farms and from fish markets in the Valencian Community. Among these synanthropic species are alachas, jacks, snappers, sea breams, bogas, mullets… Samples were taken from all individuals, both from the intestinal bundle and from the gill arches, for subsequent analysis in search of parasites and their identification. Analyses were carried out for the determination of microsporidia in these fish species by applying molecular techniques.

During this study , no parasitic interactions between wildlife and aquaculture fish have been detected. Even so, a report was prepared for each farm with the results of the study in their facilities and the recommendations on preventive measures to be adopted in order to minimize the risk of parasite transmission between wild and farmed species, and vice versa.

Dissemination of the project:
The project included the organisation of training workshops for aquaculture professionals, in order to convey the results of the project and to inform about the epidemiological situation of the farmed species and the environment surrounding them. The dissemination of the project was channelled through the beneficiary’s website, newsletter and social networks, as well as through scientific-technical conferences for the dissemination of the project results.