Starting date: Month 4 Ending date: Month 21
Name of partner responsible: FUNDP
Person-months per partner: Excelfish (3), Nutreco (6), FUNDP (16), ULG (6)

Objective
The main objective of this work package is to determine the adequate balance of DHA, EPA and AA with or without the reinforcement of phospholipid synergically on improvement of fecundity, egg and larval quality (survival rate and stress resistance) of pikeperch.

Description of work

* experimental broodstock diets
* optimisation of the dietary DHA, EPA and AA ratio

Deliverables
Feeding experiments will be conducted during the 1st and 2nd project years, from Month 2 to Month 7 and from Month 13 to 18. Biochemical and physiological analyses will be performed within the 3 months following the experiment. The 1st annual progress report will be submitted on Month 13, including the first results of WP3, and corresponding milestones required to design optimal ratio of DHA, EPA and AA in broodstock diet will be implemented during year 2. Final report will contain all information about the best ratio of DHA, EPA and AA and recommendations about the formulation of a pikeperch broodstock diet.

Expected results and relevant corresponding milestones
The major expected results of this work package are to establish adequate balance of DHA, EPA and AA in broodstock diet of pikeperch and better understand the role HUFA and phospholipid play synergically in the diets in improving normal maturation and reproductive performance of pikeperch, and enhancing ability of survival and resistance to stress in general. Results from WP3 will be used to define nutrition conditions in the 2nd phase of WP4.