An international research and development project on stock enhancement and hatchery production of grey mullet Mugil Cephalus was approved and financed by the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) program of the USAID. The consolidation of the international team occurred during the AQUAMED project funded by the EU, that promoted coordination of aquaculture research around Mediterranean countries.
The mullet project group included partners from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Israel and coordinated by a partner from Mote Marine Laboratory, USA. During the pre-proposal phase also a representative of an Algerian institute joined the project.
In several Mediterranean countries, and mainly in Egypt, the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus ) is a major species. Mullet production is principally based on inland fisheries in lakes and lagoons stocked with wild fry (caught in the sea). Grey mullets cannot complete their reproductive life cycle in these water bodies and therefore their restocking is based on fingerlings produced elsewhere. Currently the only source for mullet fingerlings in middle eastern countries are the declining wild populations. Restrictions on capturing wild fry are imposed in Egypt and other regional partners, posing concern for food security. Recently controlled and stable reproduction and larval rearing procedures were developed for grey mullet, partly in the framework of a previous MERC projects, opening possibilities for hatcheries to produce fry for aquaculture and for stock enhancement.
The present project goals are: a) to evaluate and optimize stock enhancement methods of hatchery produced fry as a sustainable approach for mullet production in various water bodies around the Mediterranean countries; b ) to advance, improve and disseminate production of high-quality mullet juvenile hatchery production as a sustainable alternative source for wild caught juveniles .
During the project kickoff meeting in Malta (2017) the project partner were trained in tagging procedures allowing the use of similar experimental methodology of stocking mullets in lakes in Egypt, Tunisia and Israel. A second t raining course for students and technicians on mullet reproduction and larval rearing was given in Aqaba (2018) brought together 30 participants from partner countries and Jordan.
The project aims to promote the production of hatchery produced mullet fry for aquaculture and stock enhancement activities, through strengthening regional collaboration of ME and other regional partners.