We developed a mathematical model to find the perfect depth of water that is required in a copepod culture in order to increase the egg harvest yields. This provides a more cost-effective alternative to intensive experimental work. Using this model can also help to define biological traits, which in turn influence the selection processes.
The intensification of live feed production is affected by the biology of the cultured organisms. The copepod
Acartia tonsa is recognised as the optimal prey for high value fish larvae species such as grouper, cod, tuna and so on. However, the culture systems of this copepod species are limited by factors inherent to the biology of this organism.
Acartia tonsa release their eggs freely in the water column and tend to cannibalise them if they encounter them.
Using modelling to improve productions is a well-known process in other industries, but has never been used in the production of live feed. We developed a unique mathematical model in conjunction with the Oceanographic Laboratory of Villefranche sur mer (France) and as part of the Ung Elite Forsk Grant from the Danish Ministry of Independent Research., The model uses data from published literature and helps to find the perfect conditions in order to increase the egg harvest yields.
Finding the proper zoo-technical conditions to produce copepods intensively is important to hatcheries all around the world. Our mathematical model can help to do just that. Modelling is much cheaper than experimentally testing all possible densities of copepods and tank sizes to follow egg harvest yields over weeks of intensive study.