Aquatic Research Centre strengthens food security drive
<p>Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Aquatic Research Centre is playing a growing role in strengthening the country’s food security by increasing local fish production, supporting private aquaculture projects and replenishing marine stocks, with around 64,000 young seabream recently prepared for release into Qatar’s waters.</p> <p>The latest release is part of a wider programme at the centre that combines…
Doha, Qatar: The Aquatic Research Centre is enhancing food security through increased local fish production, private aquaculture support, and marine stock replenishment. Recently, 64,000 young seabream were prepared for release into Qatar's waters as part of a broader program that includes fish hatchery production, scientific breeding, and marine-stock enhancement.
In 2025, the program released 1.2 million Hamour and 1.4 million Sha'm, totaling 2.6 million fish, to bolster fish stocks. The centre also produced 7 million fish fingerlings and 1 million shrimp larvae, with private sector partnerships yielding 8.8 tonnes of shrimp and 19.9 tonnes of fish.
Head of the Aquatic Research Centre at the Fisheries Department, Ibrahim Salman Al Muhannadi, explained the scientific process for producing young fish. It begins with cultivating live feed like phytoplankton and zooplankton, such as Artemia, or brine shrimp, which are crucial for young fish development. Hamour breeding involves spawning mature fish, collecting and incubating eggs, and raising larvae in controlled tanks for about two months.
Release sites are chosen based on scientific assessments and habitat requirements, with seagrass areas providing shelter and feeding opportunities.
Written by urgent.news from The Peninsula Qatar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
