Poster 17: Burbot (Lota lota), a neglected predator fish in Flanders - a case study for its restoration

The burbot (Lota lota) is the only fresh water member of the cod family (Gadidae). Habitat loss through changes in river design, management and pollution have resulted in the disappearance of this fish since twenty years from inland water of Flanders. Burbot is a toppredator of lowland rivers and may play an important role in establishing an ecological equilibrium within an aquatic community. Therefore, it is important to re-establish them in Flanders. Due to an increasing attention of the government to restoration of the aquatic environment, a preliminary research for a reintroduction program for burbot has been started at the Institute of Forestry and Game Management (IBW) and the Institute of Nature Protection (IN). This program contains three phases: the preliminary phase, the reintroduction and the monitoring. In the preliminary phase a population genetic study, performed by the K.U.Leuven, investigated if there are still some similar strains of burbot living in other countries that are closely related to the one that has disappeared from Flemish waters [²]. In another project, the IBW examined the possibilities of culturing burbot under controlled conditions [¹, ³, ⁴; Shiri Harzevili et al., unpublished data] since a lot of animals are needed for a successful reintroduction. In a habitat study, that is now under investigation at the IN, researchers examine which habitats burbot require during their life and if this kind of habitat is still present in Flanders. If the result of this study is positive, cultured burbot of the right genetic strain can be re-introduced in Flanders. In the monitoring phase, the success of this reintroduction and the impact on the ecosystem will be closely monitored.

[¹] Dooremont I., A. Shiri Harzevili, D. De Charleroy, P. Quataert, I. Vught (2001). First feeding of burbot (Lota lota L.) under different temperature and photoperiods conditions (manuscript). Poster presentation in Aqauculture America 2002. San Diego, California (USA) January: 27-30 p.
[²] Maes G., J. Van Houdt, J. Pinceel, P. Baret, C. Flamand, D. De Charleroy, F. Volckaert (2001). Populatiegenetisch onderzoek van een aantal zeldzame of bedreigde vissoorten in het Vlaamse Gewest. IBW.Wb.VR.2001.84
[³] Shiri Harzevili A., D. De Charleroy, J. Auwerx, I. Dooremont and J. Van Slycken, P. Dhert and P. Sorgeloos (2000). Larval rearing of burbot (Lota lota L.) using rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus as start food. Poster presentation. In: Fresh water fish conservation: options for the future. International Symposium, 30 Oct.- 4 Nov. 2000, Algarve-Portugal. p. 52.
[⁴] Shiri Harzevili A., D. De Charleroy, J. Auwerx, I. Dooremont, J. Van Slycken, P. Dhert and P. Sorgeloos (2001). Larval rearing of burbot (Lota lota, L.) using rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus as start food. Journal of Applied Ichtyology (under review).