Sustainable Marine Aquaculture

SPAWNING AND LARVAL-REARING TECHNIQUES
FOR SELECTED MARINE FINFISH SPECIES

The control of fish reproduction in aquaculture is essential for the development of an efficient, cost effective and intensive industry. However, the lack of techniques for sustained production of seed stock for grow-out operations is one of the foremost bottlenecks of marine finfish aquaculture development. HBOI and USDA researchers are working to develop year-round spawning strategies for captive broodstock and larviculture methods for sustainable seed production of high-value marine finfish species, including southern flounder, Florida pompano, and black seabass.

Research goals include the identification of nutrient and energy requirements for broodstock and the development of broodstock diets to increase egg and larval quality resulting in enhanced reproductive success. Researchers also are working to achieve year-round reproduction of target broodstock species using techniques such as hormonal induction, photothermal manipulation and cryopreservation of gametes.

Poor survival through the larval rearing period has been one of the major barriers to sustainable aquaculture production of marine finfish. HBOI, USDA, and FSU researchers are working to developing an understanding of the nutritional and environmental requirements of larval marine finfish so that survival rates can be improved. Specific areas of study include larval nutrition and feeding techniques, environmental and water quality requirements of marine fish larvae, and identification of optimal stocking densities.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Tolerance Of Florida Pompano And Black Sea Bass Juveniles To Nitrite At Various Salinities

Collection, Handling, And Refrigerated Storage Of Sperm From Southern Flounder And Florida Pompano

Spawning And Larval-Rearing Of Florida Pompano

Hybridization Of Gulf Flounder And Southern Flounder

Effectiveness Of Copepod Nauplii As A Live Feed Alternative For First Feeding Of Southern Flounder Larvae

Ammonia And Nitrite Tolerance Of Florida Pompano Juveniles