Thailand, first country to induce mackerel spawning with hormone

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Chalermchai Suwannarak, director-general of the department, said the success was the latest development after its previous research to breed mackerel in 2011 – at that time, bred mackerel were weak.

Researchers of the Department of Fisheries made the world’s first successful attempt to induce spawning in mackerel with hormone injection and the country will not have to wait for the fish’s annual spawning anymore.

Chalermchai Suwannarak, director-general of the department, said the success was the latest development after its previous research to breed mackerel in 2011. At that time, bred mackerel were weak.



Since then researchers of the department have gathered data on the biological nature, spawning season and ecosystem of mackerel to support their plan to stimulate mackerel spawning for the sake of conservation and commerce.

Mackerel breeds were collected and kept in closed systems. Hormone was injected to induce their spawning which then happened more frequently. There is a good sign that mackerel lays as many as 30,000 eggs. This can substitute mackerel catching, Mr Chalermchai said.



Praphat Kosawatphat, director of the Phetchaburi Coastal Fisheries Research & Development Center, said that the center was raising baby mackerel and would develop special feed to increase their survival. (TNA)