Introduction.
According to the European Union (EU) strategic guidelines (COM/2021/236 final), the long-term sustainability of the aquaculture sector passes through both the diversification of species and implementation more environmentally friendly systems. Thus, the share of farmed crustacean has risen over time and nowadays they are in second position of the global trade in aquatic animal products in 2022, making up 23 percent of the total value (FAO, 2024). Penaeus (Melicertus) kerathurus (Forskål, 1775) is a benthic species native to the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean, with a distribution range extending from the coasts of Portugal to Angola (Zitari-Chatti et al., 2008). During the 1970s, P. kerathurus was considered a promising candidate for intensive aquaculture in southern Europe, however, several issues reduced its commercial exploitation in favor of other species. Despite its economic and ecological significance, knowledge regarding the species’ biology remains limited, and data on population structure are scarce. This lack of information hinders the development of effective cultivation methods for commercial purposes. The present study seeks to expand our understanding of the biology and ecology of P. kerathurus, with the aim of establishing an optimal and economically viable aquaculture methodology.
Materials and Methods.
In this work, a comprehensive literature search about P. kerathurus was conducted, focusing on enabling its cultivation under controlled conditions and ultimately achieving full life cycle closure in captivity. In addition, data from both extractive fishing activity and fattening practices in recent decades were obtained from the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Spain. Literature review carried out using the electronic databases Scopus and PubMed to identify relevant scientific publications on the biology and ecology of the species. For this, ‘Penaeus (Melicertus) kerathurus’ AND ‘aquaculture’ were used as keywords, restricting publication time between 1980 and 2024. Initial screening focused on studies addressing the species biology and ecological characteristics. Subsequently, a more refined search was conducted to identify literature related specifically to breeding techniques and captive rearing practices attempted to date. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the scope of the review, prioritising those that presented empirical findings, practical methodologies, or reviews of aquaculture strategies applicable to the target species.
Results and Discussion.
At present, the culture of P. kerathurus in countries such as Spain is confined to the fattening phase within coastal lagoon systems (Figure 1).
Studies confirm that specific environmental conditions are required, such as a salinity range between 28–35 for reproduction and larval development, although standardised protocols for captive breeding remain underdeveloped. Experimental trials have achieved partial success in broodstock conditioning and early-stage larval rearing, but survival rates remain inconsistent. Major limitations include the scarcity of long-term studies and fragmented data across regions. Despite these gaps, current evidence supports the feasibility of closing the species’ life cycle in captivity with further targeted research. Contemporary technological advancements in system design and intra-family nutrition (FAO, 2022) present renewed opportunities to critically reassess its agricultural potential.
Acknowledgments.
This study is part of the project ‘Culture and use of marine invertebrates in aquaculture system with low environmental impact (CAMBIA)’ which was developed with the collaboration of the Biodiversity Foundation (Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge) through the Pleamar Programme, co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
References.
COM/2021/236 final (2021). Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030.
FAO. 2022. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 – Towards Blue Transformation. Rome.
FAO. 2024. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 – Blue Transformation in action. Rome.
Zitari‐Chatti, R., Chatti, N., Elouaer, A., & Said, K. (2008). Genetic variation and population structure of the caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskäl) from the eastern and western Mediterranean coasts in Tunisia. Aquaculture Research, 39(1), 70-76.