Exploring larval development and applications in marine fish aquaculture using pink snapper embryos

Abstract

This biology investigation on Pristipomoides filamentosus larval development, survival, and aquaculture research was developed with three educational objectives: to provide high school students with (1) a scientific background on the biology and science of fisheries as well as overfishing, its consequences, and possible mitigations; (2) exposure to field and laboratory techniques in marine science; and (3) practical skills in scientific inquiry and investigation. We teach this investigation at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, where we have access to captive broodstock of the pink snapper, P. filamentosus. During this investigation students follow several steps scientists take to study aquaculture: collecting spawn from outdoor fish pens, quantifying the number of eggs, determining the percentage of fertilisation, and estimating the time of spawning and hatching. Additionally, students perform hypothesis-driven science activities with the embryos to test the effects of water quality on their development and survival. In this paper we discuss background information of aquaculture, specifically of P. filamentosus, and thoroughly describe the several components of delivering the investigation. Lastly, we provide possible outcomes of students’ performances in the laboratory activities, and discuss how effectively the exercise met its educational objectives.