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Marine fish enhancement and aquaculture research
Marine fish enhancement and aquaculture research
Problem Statement
Wild harvesting of seafood currently meets or exceeds sustainable levels and many
stocks are well below levels that can be rebuilt in a timely manner. Aquaculture
is the only way to increase production of seafood and may be an important tool for
rebuilding severely depressed stocks. However, a number scientific and technical
obstacles must be overcome before aquaculture of most marine fish species is viable.
Critical factors
- Many commercially- and recreationally-important Pacific marine fish stocks
are seriously depleted, yet demand for these fish is increasing.
- Seafood is the third largest component of the U.S. trade deficit after oil
and automobiles.
- The experimental use of artificially-propagated juveniles to rebuild
depleted marine fish stocks has shown promise and is an active area of
research worldwide.
- The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has targeted several marine
fish species for commercial aquaculture development. This new industry
could potentially provide thousands of re-source-friendly jobs in
economically-depressed areas and increase the supply of domestically-produced
seafood.
- Research is needed on critical biological and environmental factors that
affect fish reproduction, development, growth, nutrition, and survival
in order to develop aquaculture systems for most marine species.
Status of research
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is conducting research to develop
laboratory aquaculture techniques for targeted marine species. This research includes
studies in aquacultural engineering, fish physiology, nutrition, pathology, and
developmental biology. Once the NWFSC develops successful laboratory aquaculture
techniques, it will start developing techniques for large-scale culturing of
fish species to market and it will begin experimental releases of marked juveniles
to determine their potential for accelerating stock rebuilding.
Initial studies focus
on 1) establishing captive broodstocks of marine species to provide offspring
for research, 2) determining appropriate conditions for using hormonal
and environmental manipulation to stimulate and synchronize spawning,
3) developing egg incubation, larval culture, and juvenile rearing technologies,
4) developing environmentally-sound aquaculture techniques, feed and health-management
practices for rearing juveniles to maturity and spawning, 5) developing
rearing technologies that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly,
and 6) investigating the genetic and ecological effects of released fish on
wild populations.
Since 1998, two species (lingcod and brown rockfish) have
been raised from spawning to the juvenile stage. NWFSC scientists can now
raise enough lingcod to examine the potential for restocking depleted
populations. In addition, captive Pacific halibut and sablefish broodstocks
have been established and spawned. Broodstocks of Puget Sound groundfish
species that the NMFS is considering for listing under the Endangered Species
Act are being established as well.
Future considerations
The NWFSC will continue to 1) establish and maintain captive broodstocks for
future research, 2) raise sablefish, rockfish, and halibut broodstocks under
photoperiods that have been shifted to provide offspring out of season
(doubling the amount of research that can be done on critical larval stages),
3) develop sustainable low-pollution feeds and transfer diet formulations and
manufacturing methods to the private sector for commercialization, 4) train
state biologists, tribal members and entrepreneurs in large-scale rearing technologies,
5) disseminate information through scientific publications, presentations and
facility tours, and 6) conduct stock-enhancement and market-oriented
aquaculture trials in cooperation with state and tribal fisheries agencies.
Key Players
Resource Enhancement & Utilization Technology (REUT) Division, NWFSC
Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
University of Bergen, Norway
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Bozeman Fish Technology Center)
Oregon State University
University of Washington
University of Idaho
Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife
Washington State University
International Pacific Halibut Commission
Makah Tribe
Northwest Indian College
Contact: Dr. Walton Dickhoff, Director, REUT Division (206/860-3234)
Research Issue Paper REUT 6203 (HQ ID 283)
Issue Papers Home
last modified 2002-07-30
Web site owner: Northwest Fisheries Science Center
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