Weekly Overview: Personality Test Could Help Improve Sole Farming

News

Weekly Overview: Personality Test Could Help Improve Sole Farming

16 November 2016

ANALYSIS - Researchers in Spain and Scotland have made a discovery that may help sole reproduce better in captivity, and in turn help improve aquaculture production.

Aquaculture experts from the University of Stirling and the Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA) in Catalonia found the way Senegalese sole cope with stress is determined by their personality and remains consistent regardless of the situation they are in.

Experts hope the first study to test stress copying styles in mature Senegalese sole will help farmers screen fish from a young age to help the species reproduce in captivity.

Dr Sonia Rey Planellas, Research Fellow in the Institute of Aquaculture, said: “Senegalese sole is a very valuable fish farmed across Europe, however first generation males’ failure to reproduce is still a problem affecting production of the species. Animals who are proactive and try to explore are likely to reproduce in captivity so it’s important these fish can be identified at a young age."

In other news this week, the US is wondering what the election of Donald Trump as President might mean for the seafood industry.

Economic reports already are pointing to his platform of opposing trade and pulling out of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), as well as stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership and implementing trade protectionist policies. Global economists fear this could tip the economy into a recession.

According to Laine Welch in her weekly column, Mr Trump also has vowed to place a 45 per cent tariff on Chinese imports and declare China a currency manipulator on his first day in office. How this will affect the millions of pounds of Alaska seafood that are sent to China for reprocessing and then shipped back for sales in the US is anyone’s guess.

Lucy Towers
News Team - Editor

After graduating from The University of Sheffield, Lucy joined 5M in 2011 as part of the News Desk team. In 2012, she was promoted to editor of TheFishSite. With previous farming experience and a love for the great outdoors, Lucy has a passion for wildlife and the environment.