Development of efficient techniques for promoting early maturation, detection of sex and maximization of growth in shortnose sturgeon for aquaculture production

鲟鱼蛋，也被称为鱼子酱，和鲟鱼肉是世界上最有价值的鱼类产品之一。全世界共有27种鲟鱼，几乎所有物种都受到威胁或濒临灭绝。对鱼子酱和肉类的需求非常高，随着库存的继续捕捞，需求将会增长。在过去的15年里，鲟鱼的水产养殖业已经成为鱼子酱和鱼肉的重要贡献者。鲟鱼肉的高价值，甚至在市场增值装扮之前，鱼子酱的极高价格，以及我们在循环系统中种植鱼子酱的能力，使这些物种成为加拿大水产养殖发展的理想人选。在大西洋地区发展鲟鱼用于水产养殖一直有相当大的兴趣。Breviro Caviar Inc.是唯一一家在大西洋加拿大的水产养殖环境中成功生产鱼子酱的公司，他们也是世界上唯一的短鼻鲟鱼鱼子酱生产商。大学研究人员和具有这方面经验的工业伙伴之间的合作为促进加拿大的水产养殖和鲟鱼肉和鱼子酱的生产提供了一个独特的机会。Breviro Caviar已经投入了大量的投资和部分设施来承担这个项目中提出的工作。通过这一合作努力开发的实验和模型的结果将用于加快加拿大短吻鲟鱼的发展，并通过允许多样化、扩张和可持续发展来鼓励加拿大水产养殖业的增长。该项目的目标是：1)开发经济高效的技术和技术，以刺激鱼子酱的早熟，在发育早期进行性别检测，并确定物理和生物条件，以最大限度地促进用于鱼子酱生产的短吻鲟鱼的生产；2)培训高素质的人员；以及3)向Breviro Caviar传输信息，以便他们能够完善和进一步发展其鱼子酱生产的经济生产模式和战略。

Sturgeon eggs, also known as caviar, and sturgeon meat are among the most highly valued fish products in the world. Worldwide there are 27 species of sturgeon and almost all are threatened or endangered. Demand for caviar and meat is extremely high and will grow as stocks continue to be fished. Over the last 15 years, aquaculture production of sturgeon has become an important contributor of caviar and fish flesh. The high value of sturgeon flesh, even before value added dress-up for market, the extremely high price of caviar, and our ability to grow them in recirculation systems makes these species ideal candidates for aquacultural development in Canada. There has been considerable interest in developing sturgeon for aquaculture in the Atlantic region. Breviro Caviar Inc. is the only company to successfully produce caviar in an aquaculture setting in Atlantic Canada and they are also the only producer of shortnose sturgeon caviar in the world. Collaboration between university researchers and an industrial partner with this experience presents a unique opportunity to advance the science of aquaculture and production of sturgeon meat and caviar in Canada. Breviro Caviar has dedicated a large investment and portion of their facility to undertake the work proposed in this project. The results of the experiments and models developed through this collaborative effort will be used to accelerate the development of shortnose sturgeon in Canada, and encourage growth of the Canadian aquaculture industry by allowing for diversification, expansion and sustainability. The objectives of the project are to: 1) develop economically efficient techniques and technology to stimulate early maturation, detect sex early in development, and determine physical and biological conditions in order to maximize growth for production of shortnose sturgeon for production of caviar; 2) train highly qualified personnel; and 3) transfer information to Breviro Caviar so they can refine and further develop their economic production models and strategies for their production of caviar.