Abstract
AbstractCulture models and facilities for large‐scale, commercial production of popular Gulf of Mexico species are unavailable. The spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) is one of the most popular recreational fishes in the Gulf of Mexico. Seatrout culture techniques were adapted from red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) protocols developed in the 1970s. Broodstock husbandry, spawning, and extensive pond rearing techniques using fertilized and bloomed brackish ponds were well‐established by the 1980s. By 2018, approximately 80 million 25–30‐day old seatrout had been produced, mainly for stock enhancement. Cannibalism and poor nutrition hindered intensive tank culture. Between 2005 and 2015, an intensive tank‐rearing protocol that reduced cannibalism and intracohort variability and increased average survival to almost 50% was developed using algal concentrate, rotifers, brine shrimp (Artemia sp.), and microencapsulated feeds. Preliminary results suggested that a 500 g fish could be produced in approximately 10 months. Nevertheless, interest in commercialization has remained low. Zootechnical performance throughout the latter stages of culture, the economics of production, consumer preferences/perceptions, and market capacity must be documented to complete the assessment of the spotted seatrout as a species for commercial aquaculture. The optimization of aquafeeds specific for seatrout and a domestication program is warranted to further facilitate industry growth.
Highlights
Fish currently accounts for almost 20% of the protein consumed by humans (FAO, 2018)
Aquaculture, which has increased its share of overall fisheries production from 9% in 1980 to more than 50% today, has the potential to meet the growing demand
The high survival rate during larval rearing and growout of spotted seatrout discussed earlier would be compatible with common-garden breeding designs where families are mixed in the same tanks for evaluation in the same conditions, and parentage information is recovered at the end of the culture period using molecular pedigrees (e.g., Saillant, Ma, Wang, Gatlin, & Gold, 2007)
Summary
Fish currently accounts for almost 20% of the protein consumed by humans (FAO, 2018). The average spawning frequency is 18 spawns per month (30 days), and the average fecundity per spawn is 150,000 eggs Because both TPWD and USM produce seatrout for stock enhancement purposes, 25% of the broodfish are exchanged with wild fish annually to maintain genetic diversity. Induction methods using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) were attempted via intramuscular injection (Thomas & Boyd, 1988) and oral administration (Thomas & Boyd, 1989) Both approaches led to ovulation and production of viable eggs, spotted seatrout brooders appeared sensitive to stress, which impacted the response to injection treatments. Within 36–40 hr post-hatch, larvae have developed mouthparts, distinct eye pigmentation, and a complete digestive tract These first-feeding larvae, which average 2.1 mm total length (Fable Jr., Williams, & Arnold, 1978), are transported from an incubator tank to rearing ponds for stocking via fiberglass transport boxes. This allows the temperature within the bag to equal that of the water at the stocking site
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