Development of technology for the predictable, natural spawning of captive Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) utilizing photoperiod and temperature manipulation is propose, along with the subsequent larval rearing and fingerling production through a joint effort between HarvestFresh Seafoods, Inc., and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University. The pompano is a highly desirable marine foodfish, considered a delicacy wherever it is sold. It commands one of the highest wholesale prices of any fish species with unrealized aquaculture potential, selling for up to $8.00 per pound in the round. Past commercial efforts to culture pompano have failed, and most attempts at spawning the fish, successful or otherwise, involved the use of hormone injections. In Phase 1, we propose to establish a protocol for spawning pompano naturally, without the use of exogenous hormones, and rearing the eggs through the juvenile stage. Phase 2 of this project will demonstrate the ability to intensively culture pompano in indoor, hyperintensive recirculating systems and establish quantitative nutritional requirements to overcome one of the largest stumbling blocks of previous attempts to culture pompano, the lack of an acceptable artificial diet. Positive results from both phases will invigorate closed-system technology by providing a new, high-value fish species to culture commercially. Commercial applications:Successful completion of Phases 1 and 2 of this proposed project will have direct commercial applications at HarvestFresh and potentially at other commercial mariculture enterprises. The project will establish reliable production of a new, high-value marine species in the aquaculture industry and also possibly encourage further development of indoor recirculating systems which may be located remote from coastal areas, thus providing opportunities for franchising. These systems require a more profitable culture species than those currently available.
