SBIR-STTR Award

Sablefish (black cod) is a promising species for marine aquaculture in Washington State because of strong demand, high prices, ease of culture from juvenile stage on, availability of large areas for commercial grow out and interest from commercial, tribal and fisheries cooperatives. But the physiological ecology of sablefish is only partially known, which hampers commercialization and the ability to forecast environmental effects. We propose to determine sablefish metabolic response to conditions of low oxygen and swift currents, similar to those found during late summer in available grow out areas in Washington State. This species lives in and adapts well to low dissolved oxygen, but he response to differing current velocities at varying oxygen tension is unknown. We will collect other data to construct a mass balance estimate of carbon and nitrogen use and discharge, similar to available for salmon budgets. These data will be used to alter existing mariculture impact software that is potentially very useful for eventual planning, permitting and coastal management.

Potential Commercial Applications:
Results will allow appropriate site selection for commercial fish farms and the impact prediction model tools ill likely expedite the permitting process for commercial fish farms, Tribes and fishermen’s coops presently interested in commercialization

Metabolism and physiology research on the sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) conducted in Phase I of this research established that this fish is highly suited to culture conditions typically found in the Pugent Sound or Straight of Juan de Fuca waterways of the state of Washington. In this research, we will examine techniques to improve spawning of captive brood fish, increase fertilization success, enhance incubation and hatching results, and define early feeding requirements. Additionally, we will further examine the particular physiological and metabolic issues important to grow-out in net pen aquaculture settings (particularly fecal settling rates and C/N ratios), and incorporate data generated into a modeling system developed to assess aquaculture dynamics.

Potential Commercial Applications:
The development infrastructure already existing in the Pacific Northwest as salmon net-pen sites represents a unique opportunity since the grow-out side of the industry is already in place. The salmon net-pen industry in Washington is in great need of a higher value fish, such as sablefish, that they can grow in order to diversify and compete with lower cost growers in Chile, Canada and Norway. Success in Phase II of this project will enable a reliable supply of US grown juveniles from locally adapted stocks to be made available to the industry