Species from MARE "enchant" at FCUL Open Day

MARE researchers were present at the FCUL Open Day. They brought their latest acquisition - the only electric fishing boat in Portugal - the Cumba, sea cucumbers, a crab, some cards and a lot of knowledge.

Several students from different parts of the country arrived, all looking for something similar: a "light" that confirms their choice or a path that helps them discover what to write on the first option. At MARE, they found researchers willing to tell their academic and life stories as workers, whether they spend more time in the laboratory or in field work, such as diving.

What does the boat do? It's easy! It helps researchers deal with the 30% of exotic species that exist in our rivers. They need to be caught, studied, and...not returned to the river. Species such as catfish, bleak, and European perch are invasive species that degrade ecosystems. With this new boat, researchers can fish for larger, more selective species in a safer way. Their work is thus focused on improving the quality of rivers and ensuring the survival of native species.

If you "land" at the Exotic table, the issue of exotics is also very clear. The researchers took the students to "play cards" and test their knowledge: Where do exotic species come from? How did they get here? What is the problem with these species? These are some of the questions that are answered together. All of this to understand that these species are dangerous because they compete with our species and are aggressive.

The researchers also introduced the Chinese mitten crab, which came from Asia in ballast water (water that empty ships use to compensate when there is no cargo). They also introduced Wakame, one of the algae used for sushi - the seaweed that wraps around the outside of Temaki - also an exotic species in Portugal.

But it was also possible to touch a live sea cucumber. It is not considered a beautiful animal, but it is important for ecosystems. This species ends up being a vacuum cleaner for the bottom of the oceans and reduces ocean acidification. The problem? There has been a lot of fishing for exotic markets! What is being attempted in the Newcumber project is to produce this species in aquaculture to meet demand, and try to repopulate.

The Mini-Saia fish also had its place, with its otolith exposed to understand a little more about this fish. Otoliths - equivalent to crystals - are little stones that serve for the fish's hearing and balance. It grows as the fish grows.

What is important through these is to understand if the fish reaches 30 years or only four years, to know when to fish sustainably. Researcher Rita discovered that the fish only reaches 15 years and grows a lot in the first few years!

Even the Director of MARE, Pedro Raposo de Almeida, stopped by at the Open Day.. Don't miss the presence of researchers at various events. Follow them and you can learn much more about aquatic systems!