Hence the idea of developing a Walloon shout. Double advantage: from the room in short circuit and a diversification of the aquaculture in Wallonia, which would not be limited to trout and other carp. Behind the fun name of “Wallicrevette”, there is a very serious university research project carried out by the Ugeraa (Research unit in aquatic resources and aquaculture) within the University of Liège. Bassins welcome specimens of white leg shrimp, tropical species originating in the departure of shallow coastal waters from the Pacific.
No sea in Wallonia but a work on water
“Obviously, there is no access to the sea in Walloniaexplains Jiri Bossuyt, researcher at the Uliège, in charge of the Wallicrevette project. Our research aims to study the possibilities of culture of shrimp in the pool by working on water. ” Two options are possible. Either by adding salt in precise proportions to fresh water or using the natural flocculant, that is to say the material being found in water. “This technique is cheaper, continues the researcher. A method that has Already used for Tilapia and which is also used in Asia. The water is more troubled but the process is natural. “
Only constraint, given our climate, unthinkable to imagine the culture of large Walloon shrimps in the open, since the pools must keep a temperature of 25 degrees all year round. This “Wallonia Gambas” diversification track is not so utopian. The Wallicrevette project, launched at the end of 2023, benefits from subsidies from the European Union and Wallonia.
“We would like to offer Walloon fish farmers a kind of vade-mecum to use bio-floc in a pool and offer a quality product”concludes Jiri Bossuyt. The expected deadline to see the project maturing is at the end of 2026.
