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Our Journey: Decades of Aquaculture Innovation

Since its inception in 1978, Dagon has been a pioneer in aquaculture, consistently pushing the boundaries of fish breeding and cultivation. Over the decades, we have developed and refined our expertise, establishing ourselves as leaders in the industry. Numerous milestones mark our journey, each reflecting our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in fish breeding. Here is a chronicle of our significant achievements.


Dagon aquaculture

 

Dagon is Founded


Dagon's journey began more than 40 years ago, in 1978, with the establishment of a freshwater facility dedicated to the breeding and cultivation of tilapia and various carp species. From the outset, we demonstrated exceptional proficiency in maintaining the health and breeding of Koi fish, setting the stage for future innovations.


A groundbreaking chapter in our history, the Hybrid Striped Bass Program, commenced in 1989. This initiative marked a new era of innovation as we tackled the challenges of breeding a species that required sophisticated and complex breeding methods.


In 1995, we achieved a significant milestone by establishing the Barramundi Broodstock program. Expanding our expertise allowed us to cultivate a diverse range of fish species, furthering our commitment to aquaculture excellence.



Barramundi broodstock
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) brooodsock

Marine Finfish Hatchery Establishment


Dagon's dedication to innovation was evident in 1998 with the establishment of our Marine Finfish Hatchery. The facility, designed with live feed systems, and specialized Broodstock departments underscored our resolve to lead in the fish breeding industry.


The turn of the millennium saw us broaden our expertise by successfully establishing the Red Drum Broodstock program. This addition enriched our repertoire of cultivated fish species.


Marine Finfish Hatchery
Dagon's Marine Finfish Hatchery

Focusing on the Mediterranean basin, we established Broodstock for both Gilthead Seabream and Seabass in 2002. This achievement marked a significant diversification of our breeding initiatives.


In 2005, we celebrated a notable achievement with the first spawning in our White Grouper R&D program. This landmark showcased our unwavering commitment to continuous innovation in fish breeding.


Our pursuit of excellence continued with the first spawning in the Grey Mullet R&D program in 2007. This development further cemented our position as leaders in fish breeding and research.


Gilthead Seabream  (Sparus aurata) broodstock
Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) broodstock
White Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) broodstock
White Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) broodstock

Advanced Greenhouse with RAS

Dagon constructed an innovative greenhouse in 2010, featuring advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for our nurseries. This facility represented a significant leap forward in sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices.


In 2011, we established a dedicated indoor facility for the White Grouper, enhancing our capacity for controlled and efficient breeding operations.


Continuing our specialization, we developed a distinct space for the Grey Mullet Broodstock in 2012, furthering our research and breeding capabilities for this species.

Dagon's new nurseries
Dagon's new nurseries
 

The New Hatchery Facility

The introduction of our upgraded "new hatchery" facility in 2015 marked a modernized approach to fish larvae cultivation, significantly improving our operational efficiency and output quality.


In 2019, we expanded our nursery capacity with the addition of a new greenhouse. This expansion facilitated increased production and enhanced our ability to meet growing market demands.


A major achievement in 2020 was the successful initiation of mass production of Grey Mullet fish fingerlings. This accomplishment demonstrated our capability to scale operations while maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability.


The Grey Mullet All-Female Project

Dagon, in collaboration with the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, launched the Grey Mullet All-Female Project. Managed by expert teams from both organizations, this initiative created a single-sex, all-female fish population using males with feminine genotypes from our distinctive Broodstock. The result has been significantly improved growth rates in fish fingerlings, showcasing our commitment to innovative and sustainable aquaculture practices. This partnership highlights the power of collaboration in advancing scientific breakthroughs in the industry.


Grey Mullet (mugil cephalus) all-female program
Grey Mullet (mugil cephalus) all-female program


 

Dagon's journey through decades of aquaculture innovation reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability. From our humble beginnings to our current status as industry leaders, we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in fish breeding and cultivation. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to advancing aquaculture practices, ensuring the health and sustainability of aquatic species for generations to come.


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