Innovative Approaches to Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) Aquaculture
Abstract:
The aquaculture potential of Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) within the southeastern United States has yet to be realized mainly due to challenges with their aggressive behavior with fellow tank inhabitants, limitations in space for adequate long term broodstock holding, and success in simulating natural spawning conditions. The Col lege of the Florida Keys Southernmost Marine Aquaculture and Research Training (SMART) center located in the heart of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has worked with the M. bonaci species since awarded grant funding by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2020. Titled: ‘From Guts to Glory’, the project focuses on housing and maturing female brood (45 cm-75 cm) in an indoor recirculating aquaculture system equipped with natural spawning stimuli (photoperiod control, temperature regulation, and audio stimulus with male courtship calls) and using cryogenically preserved male M. bonaci gametes for in-vitro fertilization. Progress in advancing innovative hatchery procedure, husbandry, and best management practices continues with diet formulation and re f ining system technology in preparation for spawning. Alternating between diets for our inhouse female broodstock, we saw an average growth of 0.16 mm per day since their initial acclimation into our indoor recirculating aquacul ture system in early April 2022. The broodstock maturation diet alternates between threadfin herring (Opisthonema oglinum), pink shrimp (Penaeus Duorarum), and "maturation sausages" developed as a prototype alternative feed using manual processing techniques.
