Seriola lalandi cultivated on integrated system with water recirculation and photovoltaic energy in the coastal area of Atacama desert

ABSTRACT

An integrated recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) was designed and developed using bacteria, echinoderms (Athyonidium chilensis), and mollusks (Mytilus chilensis) to maintain water quality. Photovoltaic panels were employed to reduce the energy costs of the crop. The evaluation of survival and growth of adults (2-month olds) and juveniles (7-month olds) of Seriola lalandi fish, fed with commercial pellets, was carried out. Different water parameters (temperature, humidity, irradiance, oxygen, pH, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, etc.) were recorded. The distribution of trophic levels maintained the quality of the water in the system. The photovoltaic panels allowed autonomy of 4 h of disconnection from the electrical network. The weight gain was optimal in adults for the species (initial 1496 g, final 1698 g) and juveniles (initial 24 g, final 588 g). The survival of 100% of adults and 39% of juveniles was documented. The analysis of the fillet helped ascertain its quality for human consumption. This cultivation system depended only on a reservoir to supply water. Operating the system does not require highly specialized personnel and the use of biofilters/photovoltaic panels reduces operating costs. Finally, the production of commercially important marine organisms in efficient and sustainable cultivation systems may help solve global challenges such as the availability of food.

KEYWORDS:

• Integrated cultivation
• Seriola lalandi
• sustainability
• water recirculation
• biofiltration
• photovoltaic energy

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Fondef-ANID IT16I10038 Project for funding this research and the University to allow enablement of the integrated cultive system at the Universidad de Antofagasta. The authors thank Professor Rodolfo Wilson from the Facultad de ciencias del mar y recursos biológicos of the Universidad de Antofagasta, for providing the juvenile fish for the experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID), Fondo de Fomento al desarrollo Científico y tecnológicos (FONDEF) program, Project IT16I10038.