{
  "id": 8618128,
  "title": "Aquatic Research Centre strengthens food security drive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/aquatic-research-centre-strengthens-food-security-drive",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-20T05:23:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/09/2026/aquatic-research-centre-strengthens-food-security-drive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nHead 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.",
  "summary": "<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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Aquatic Research Centre boosts local fish production",
    "Released 64,000 young seabream into Qatar waters",
    "Produced 2.6 million fish in 2025 program"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Aquatic Research Centre's expanded local fish production and marine stock replenishment efforts mark a significant step towards bolstering Qatar's food security, leveraging both in-house breeding programs and private sector partnerships.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}