Tarpon farming is a commercial and sustainable alternative in Argentina

On a provincial scale, Santa Fe exports approximately 6000 tonnes of tarpon a year, but excessive fishing led INTA Monte Vera –Santa Fe– to look for alternatives so that the activity becomes a sustainable practice. "Tarpon is an autochthonous fish that crosses Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina, and it is well known in artisanal fishing," said Ariel Belavi, a researcher at INTA Monte Vera. Based on different tests, and in conjunction with two companies and a local meat processing plant, they seek to generate knowledge about the captive production of the species. "The trial consists of evaluating the weight and growth rate at controlled densities, during a calendar year, with the aim of obtaining information and achieving the commercial export weight, which is 500 to 600 grams," explained the researcher. To generate a comparative analysis with different nutritional modalities, three tests were carried out: "All contain organic fertilization, two contain added balanced feed (powder and ...