GRANT NUMBER:  NA76FD0143          NMFS NUMBER:  96-NER-128

REPORT TITLE:  Development of Commercial Aquaculture of Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata)

AUTHOR: Terence Bradley

PUBLISH DATE:  September 15, 2000

AVAILABLE FROM:  National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.  TELEPHONE:  (508) 281-9267

ABSTRACT

All of the objectives of this research project were successfully completed. The results of this investigation demonstrated that commercial aquaculture of black sea bass is feasible and desirable. The adults and juveniles were robust, tolerated captivity, and grew well on formulated feeds developed for other marine species. Adults were readily spawned in captivity, and culture of metamorphosed larvae was consistent with that of other marine species. The potential for commercial culture was demonstrated on a pilot scale in studies conducted at Great Bay Aquafarms in Newington, New Hampshire, in which juvenile black sea bass were cultured to market size. The results of these investigations provided sufficient evidence for the firm to begin small-scale commercial culture of black sea bass at its facility.