Qatar University (QU) plans to launch an advanced aquaculture research centre by the beginning of 2016, a report said.

QU recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Environment (MoE) for developing the centre and updating its labs to meet the requirements of both the bodies, reported The Peninsula.

Work on the centre, which will cover an area of 110,000 sq m, started in March 2014, the report cited a QU statement.
The centre, specialising in environment and marine research and fish hatcheries, will be equipped with the latest scientific labs for studying the marine environment.

The hatcheries are designed and equipped with the best of hatcheries and latest technologies in order to make the center a pioneer in this sector in the region.

The centre will be a major contributor in the development of the fish hatcheries sector in Qatar through special field experiments and choosing the most suitable aquatic species with economic benefits, the report said.

It will also participate in the process of guidance and orientation of investors in the private sector in fish hatcheries, it added.