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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #185026

Title: DESIGN AND OPERATION OF A MARINE RECIRCULATING SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLED SPAWNING OF FLORIDA POMPANO AND BLACK SEA BASS

Author
item RILEY, KENNETH - HBOI
item Weirich, Charles
item WEBB, JAMES - HBOI

Submitted to: Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/2/2006
Publication Date: 2/2/2006
Citation: Riley, K.L., Weirich, C.R., Webb, J.B. 2006. Design and operation of a marine recirculating system for controlled spawning of Florida pompano and black sea bass [abstract]. Aquaculture America 2006 Book of Abstracts. p. 248.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The development of marine fish aquaculture in the United States is challenged by a number of complex issues; however, the most commonly cited constraint to this emerging industry is the inability to achieve natural spawning of captive broodstocks and subsequent production of seed stock in commercial quantities. Researchers from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and the USDA Agricultural Research Service constructed a new Center for Reproduction and Larviculture for year-round production of seed stock from Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus and black sea bass Centropristis striata. The goal of this research program is to develop consistent and reliable procedures to produce healthy, high quality juveniles. The Center for Reproduction and Larviculture was constructed within a modified greenhouse structure (425 m2) with insulation and aluminum siding. The facility is divided into a broodstock conditioning and spawning room and an intensive hatchery. The broodstock room contains six 15-m3 recirculating aquaculture systems. Each system consists of two round 2.4-m fiberglass culture units (5.7 m3) that are stocked with 8 to 12 adult fish. Tanks are insulated with a combination of 19-mm styrofoam and 6-mm closed-cell nitroprene. The tank lid is outfitted with a fluorescent lighting package for photoperiod control. Culture units are placed on 55-cm elevated stands to permit gravity drainage and easy cleaning and harvest. Water flows from the center drain through an external standpipe assembly to the egg collectors and the sump. Three ¼-hp pumps circulate water through separate pathways to the tanks and filtration components. The first pathway circulates water from the sump though 20-µm cartridge filters and an ultraviolet sterilizer and then returns water to the culture units. Flow to individual tanks is 32 L/min and the tanks turnover every 3 hours. The second pathway circulates unrestricted water through the sump and to a chiller unit for temperature control. The third pathway circulates water through a 0.1-m3 floating bead bioclarifier at a rate of 68 L/min. The use of multiple pumps and circulation loops allows for greater flexibility and more reliable control of water quality. Each culture unit is aerated to maintain safe dissolved oxygen levels.