UCN has collaborated with educational institutions in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions.
Universidad Católica del Norte
The Aquaculture Department of the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) in Chile has developed a project whose ultimate goal is to support the repopulation of Chilean pejerrey through aquaculture activities.
This research and technological development (R&D) work includes a cultivation prototype for maintaining Chilean pejerrey (Basilichthys microlepidotus) and Argentine pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) broodstock in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS).
'Implementation of a broodstock of Chilean pejerrey and Argentine pejerrey as a strategy to promote small-scale inland aquaculture, based on reproduction management and water recirculation (Fondef ID23I10189)' was funded by the Fondef IDEA I+D Scientific and Technological Development Promotion Fund in 2023.
UCN also collaborated with educational institutions in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions that work with bio-integrated aquaponics systems. Researchers covered all stages of the process, from capturing the species in rivers and reservoirs, transportation, acclimation to captivity, reproductive development, and obtaining eggs and larvae.
Additionally, Dr. María Cristina Morales explained: "The research also provided an opportunity for the early involvement of students in the Aquaculture Engineering program who wanted to learn beyond their regular classes. In addition, students from the School of Engineering participated, working on projects applying AI in aquaculture, in our case, focused on water quality control."
