September 01 – October 06, 2022, Chimbay, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan | ECO-ARAL in partnership with the State Unitary Enterprise “Aral Artemia Prom” under Khakimiyat of Muynak district of Karakalpakstan and BVBA Sorgeloos4Aquaculture company led by Prof. Patrick Sorgeloos from University of Ghent, Belgium set up the first pilot pond in Uzbekistan for sustainable cultivation of Artemia. To provide technical support for the new pilot pond ECO-ARAL invited Mr Huynh Thanh Toi from Can Tho University (CTU) in Vietnam.

ECO-ARAL in close collaboration with Prof. Patrick Sorgeloos and the local government of Karakalpakstan, has explored the potential for environmentally friendly and sustainable farming of Artemia (brine shrimp), that live in salty water, on the shores of the Aral Sea. The aim is to diversify the livelihood strategies of the people in the Aral Sea region and create new income opportunities as well as to make use of abandoned and highly degraded land. In two missions Professor Sorgeloos assessed the feasibility for Artemia cultivation in Karakalpakstan.

Following up the study on creating a pilot pond for breeding artemia in Karakalpakstan Mr Toi travelled to Muynak, to oversee the launch of the new pond, discuss with partners and stakeholders the issues related to cultivation of artemia in the conditions of Karakalpakstan.

In addition, Mr. Toi trained local technicians on all steps along the cultivation of artemia, including water testing and Artemia hatching. It is crucial to assess the microalgae in the pond and whether it can be utilized by artemia or not. During his stay Mr Toi examined that the artemia population was very active, which shows the technical feasibility of artemia cultivation in the region.

Prior to Mr. Toi´s visit, ECO-ARAL in partnership with CTU successfully supported the participation of four specialists from Karakalpakstan in a six-week vocational training programme in Vietnam in March and May 2022. These specialists are involved in the piloting and accompany the pilot pond technically and scientifically.

Photo: ©GIZ, ECO