Reproduction of ancient fish species could be the beginning of a new, non-traditional export product

A Chilean scientist announced last week that after 15 years of research and failed attempts, he has successfully reproduced white sturgeons – an ancient fish species – in captivity.

Chilean scientist successfully reproduces sturgeon in captivity, opening the door to a possible, new export industry. Photo Source:MERCOPRESS

The event is a milestone in perseverance for Dr. Juan Carlos Uribe, a University of Los Lagos aquaculture researcher who has been working for years in the project with resources from Chile’s Office of Development and Promotion.

The research and tests began in 1996 with the purpose of developing technology to permit industrial production of sturgeon and the much-coveted caviar, which is extracted from fish eggs.

“After fifteen years of investigation, we had these specimens here and finally they managed to reproduce,” said Uribe from Parral, where the experimental farms are located. “The project is very interesting for Chile, given the price of caviar and of sturgeon filets, and even more interesting since it’s a species in on the way to extinction.”

Sturgeon is a considered a living fossil: they have survived since the time of dinosaurs, having conserved their prehistoric aspect. Fossilized remains have been found in rocks dating back 54 and 40 million years, according to Dr. Uribe.

Chilean researchers believe that sturgeon could repeat Chile’s experience with salmon. “Now we can move into the commercial stage,” said Uribe, who was also one of the promoters of the commercial success of salmon for Chile.

“Caviar can cost anywhere from US$1,000 to US$2.000 per kg. A sturgeon can grow to weigh 200 kg, but the harvest of caviar begins when the fish weighs ten kilo,” he additional. “The ratio is more or less one kilo of caviar for ten kilos of sturgeon.”

SOUCE: MERCOPRESS
By Santiago Times Staff ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )