Murmansk scientists succeed in reproducing red king crab juveniles from embryo to fry

Some 300,000 red king crab juveniles have been released in the coastal area of the Barents Sea as Murmansk fishery scientists have called for state support to expand the operations to increase reproduction of this valuable shellfish introduced into the area from Kamchatka back in 1950s, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to PINRO fishery research institute.

According to PINRO, in March - June 2012 the personnel of the laboratory of ontogenesis and methods of reproduction of population of crustaceans of the institute based in experimental pool complex in Dalniye Zelentsy of Murmansk Region grew in controllable conditions from embryo to fry stage 300,000 red king crab juveniles.

In 2012 to 2015 the complex plans to optimize the technology of obtaining larva and fry of the crabs and their further cultivation in controllable conditions; to refine the technique of release of young ones in the open sea to reproduce and maintain the population of the species; to study the biology and physiology of crab at earlier stages of ontogenesis.

Scientists believe that state support is required to expand the work on above areas to keep and increase the crab population. The project may become an example of efficient private and state partnership for solution of such large scale issues as preservation of the richness of water biological resources of the Russian Federation.

Also, the results of studies will be used to create crab complexes to receive fry to replenish and maintain the natural crab populations in the Barents Sea and in the Russian Far East.