The Products

Cultured Fish Species

Much has been said about production of both mariculture and aquaculture and their effects on world seafood trade.

We have discussed world market dynamics, production and consumption of aquaculture and mariculture products. A demand has been established for more production of quality finfish. Gulf Marine Institute of Technology and BioMarine Technologies, Inc. have chosen a variety of fish species to culture at our production platform operation off of the Texas Coast. The first priority in our species selection process is to choose species that were indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico. The fish selections were chosen for their marketability, cage-culture growth potential, and profitability. Four fish species have been chosen. They are Cobia, Red Fish, Amberjack and Red Porgy. A description of these fishes and pictures follow.

Cobia (ling, lemonfish)

Family Rachycentridae, COBIA
Rachycentron canadum

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum): Cobia, also known as Ling and Lemonfish is a widely-distributed migratory species of significant commercial and recreational value. Commercial landings of Cobia in the Gulf and Atlantic region from 1991 to 1996 totaled 1,046 metric tons (1151 tons) with an average ex-vessel value of $ 3.54 (NMFS 1998). Commercial-scale culture of Cobia has never been attempted in the United States; however, operations in Korea and South Carolina have successfully produced fingerlings. Cobia can be sold to the Japanese market at $4.88 per pound whole.

Some preliminary studies on growth rates and spawning suggest that Cobia has excellent potential for mariculture (Hasler and Rainville 1975, Calor et al 1994). Given their salinity and temperature requirements Cobia appear to be best suited to coastal cage culture. Cobia grow rapidly according to Dr. Joan Holt of the University of Texas Marine Research Center in Port Aransas, Texas. She stated that ¼-pound. Cobia fingerlings were grown to 21 to 22 pounds in just 18 months and can reach a maximum size of around 132 pounds. Because of their rapid growth rates, excellent palatability and prolific spawning capacity, they offer excellent potential for commercial culture. These characteristics of Cobia have been recognized in Taiwan as well, where they are under development as a mariculture species (Liao et al 1995). Currently, the Gulf Coast market price is $4.00 per pound, whole and round.

Red Drum (Redfish)

Family Sciaenidae, DRUMSSciaenops ocellatus

Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus): Redfish or red drum, have been overfished and its stocks are substantially depleted in the Gulf of Mexico. Some overfishing occurred because of Chef Paul Prudhomme, the well-known New Orleans chef, who created his recipe for "blackened redfish" in 1980. The national Cajun food craze that he started is still popular today. As a result of increased demand for this species, federal waters were quickly depleted by overfishing and were closed by emergency federal regulations in July 1986. Redfish fingerlings are obtainable through U.S. hatcheries in Texas.

As demands on natural fisheries increased and supplies of wild fish decreased, interest in Red Drum culture increased and it was soon recognized as a viable candidate for mariculture (Arnold 1988). Red Drum stocks have rebounded, but conservation organizations have endeavored to preserve them for recreational interests, making the prospects for their culture commercially viable (Feasibility Study-Offshore Mariculture 1999).

Redfish is an estuarine-dependent species, which spawns near tidal passes and inlets along the Gulf Coast in the Fall (September through November) (Matlock 1987). Adults and juveniles tolerate a wide range of water temperature and salinity making them especially well suited to culture in cages and ponds (Neill 1987). Redfish are long-lived and grow reasonably fast as juveniles, thus making it possible to produce a market-size fish in less than two years and possibly in a single growing season if properly managed (Lutz et al 1997). Current market price for redfish whole and round is $3.95 per pound.

Greater Amberjack

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Seriola dumerili

Amberjack (Seriola dumerili): Also called Yellowtail, the Amberjack can be found throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well as in oceans around the world. In the Gulf of Mexico Amberjack are found around reef areas and oil platforms. The Greater Amberjack is the most abundant species caught and is readily accepted as table fare throughout the world. This is a fast-growing fish and grows to four to five feet in length and weighs up to 140 pounds. The Lesser Amberjack (Seriola fasciata) is a much smaller fish that reaches only 18 inches in length. The federal government has now limited Amberjack to a 1000-pound daily vessel limit. The general public view in Florida is that the Greater Amberjack is depleted. Also, the NMFS believes the Amberjack is overfished in the Gulf of Mexico. Amberjack fillets are selling for $8.75 per pound in the Gulf States and, whole, round fish are selling for $4.25 per pound.

Red Porgy

Pagrus pagrus

Red Porgy (Pagrus pagrus): The Red Porgy, also known as the Sea Bream is a valuable fish world wide and easily grown in cage culture. The fish has been popular with sports fishermen and it is on the list of regulated species because of declining population (NMFS 2000). Japan was conducting culture research with this species as long as 70 years ago. Greece has been extremely successful raising these fish in sea-farm enterprises. Recent production was reported to be more than 220,000 pounds and future production is expected to rise significantly. Established markets exist in Europe and the Far East. This fish species is indigenous to areas of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean and one-pound fish are being sold for $5.00 per pound, whole and round.