Building the foundations for nutrient-sensitive and sustainable small-scale aquaculture of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and red bellied pacu (Piaractus brachypomus) in Bolivia

Summary

The nutritional value of fish is essential for addressing dietary deficiencies and ensuring food safety. This initiative will examine the nutritional profiles of rainbow trout and red-bellied pacu in farmed and wild populations in Bolivia, where fish consumption remains low and protein intake is largely dominated by cattle. This research will assess nutrient composition across multiple fish tissues, reflecting traditional consumption habits, and evaluate metal contaminants (mercury, arsenic) in fish, water, and the food web. Comparing bioaccumulation patterns between wild and farmed fish will clarify dietary and ecological influences, while stable isotope analysis will reveal seasonal and environmental impacts on wild populations. This initiative integrates nutrition and contamination data to improve food security, ensure fish safety for human consumption, and support sustainable and nutrient-sensitive aquaculture.

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