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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384595
Research Project: Establishing Seedstocks for the U.S. Marine Finfish Industry

Location: Subtropical Plant Pathology Research

Title: The status of Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus as a commercially ready species for U.S. Marine Aquaculture

Author
item WEIRICH, CHARLES - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
item RILEY, KENNETH - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
item RICHE, MARTIN - Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
item MAIN, KEVAN - Mote Marine Laboratory
item WILLS, PAUL - Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
item ILLAN, GONZALO - Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
item CERINO, DAVID - Carteret Community College
item Pfeiffer, Tim

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2021
Publication Date: 6/1/2021
Citation: Weirich, C., Riley, K., Riche, M., Main, K.L., Wills, P.S., Illan, G., Cerino, D.S., Pfeiffer, T.J. 2021. The status of Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus as a commercially ready species for U.S. Marine Aquaculture. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 52(3):731-763. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12809.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12809

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Due to their high value, in the 1950s researchers and commercial ventures began investigating the potential of Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, for aquaculture, however initial efforts did not result in commercialization. In the early 2000s a renewed interest in pompano as a candidate for aquaculture occurred and over the last two decades protocols have been developed that have allowed commercialization of pompano aquaculture. Florida pompano broodstock can be readily conditioned to spawn (26-28°C) to produce large numbers of fertilized eggs year round via hormonally-induced volitional tank spawning. Larval rearing is straight forward using a standard feeding regime of rotifers, then Artemia, followed by co-feeding and weaning to microparticulate diets with metamorphosis occurring at approximately 18-25 days post hatch. Pompano readily consume formulated diets and growout of juveniles to produce marketable fish for consumption is fairly rapid (< 12 months) and has been achieved mainly via recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and ocean net pens. To expand industry development, there is an ongoing need for research directed towards topics including broodstock domestication, selective breeding, and genetic improvement; delayed maturation; diet development and refinement; disease management; economics and business planning; and marketing strategies.