Technical advances in fattening, feed and fry are among recent successes in farming of octopus, sole, bass, bream, croaker and goby by Andalucía-based Grupo Andalmar.
Comprising Andalmar Biotech S.L and Proman S.L., the group’s octopus fattening program has reached growth rates of 1 kilogram per month. A matching program of sea bass, sea bream and croaker focuses on improving fry quality for new markets, in addition to microalgae research as additives or supplements to feed the fish for transformation to fillets and packaged presentations.
“We’re developing viable aquaculture species in our 11,000 square meter ground facilities at Carchuna Beach in Granada, presenting industrial development projects in octopus and sole fattening with an uptake of the best quality Mediterranean seawater,” said managing director Francisco Manuel Ruiz. “Our technology, know-how and innovative research are ripe for biotechnology and marine aquaculture investment, laying the foundations for future performance and profitability.”
In collaboration with the University of Málaga, the group secured a biological patent for an alternative to goby (Aphia mimuta). The new species has its origin in the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affini) — a fast-growing freshwater variety “much easier to develop at larval and growth stages than goby, which is more complex for cultivation and less profitable,” explained Ruiz.
“The changes we’ve brought about produce an edible species with excellent flavor, texture and quality, marketed as a perfect added-value replacement for goby whether fresh, frozen or in protective atmospheric packaging for export to European and American markets,” added Ruiz.
“We’re also developing technology in machinery to achieve greater energy cost efficiencies of land-based aquaculture installations. We value the potential to advance pioneering worldwide industrial research by improving existing species to reduce costs and fattening periods.”
