Abstract

A proof of concept for the rearing of Florida pompano from imported fingerlings to harvest size fish from sea cages was undertaken in St Kitts. Fingerlings between 0.5 and 1.0 g were imported from Florida, USA using same day air shipping. Fish were transported in styrofoam boxes in 20L bags containing 7-14 fingerlings/L. Fish were health certified (USDA form 7001) and unpacked by the attending veterinarian of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and the principal investigator of the project to assess survival and viability. Fish were initially reared in an indoor recirculating system comprised off three 500-gallon tanks and fed a commercial feed pellet. Daily feeding rates were set at 5-10% of the biomass of the recirculating system and divided into three separate feeds to allow for optimal satiation and reduce waste. Water quality parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, were constantly monitored using a YSI probe 5200A and additional measurements taken twice daily, such as ammonia and nitrite, using a YSI 9500 photometer. Seawater was exchanged between 10-40% of the recirculating system, every two to three days, depending on ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels, from two 1,000-gallon storage tanks. Fish were relocated to sea cages, from the recirculating system, when they reached between 25-40 g and fed a commercial sinking pellet for 6 additional months, before final harvest. Although survival rates in the sea cage grow out were high, some mortalities did start to occur in the recirculating system during the second rearing cycle. These results will be presented along with the perceived limitations to setting up a Florida pompano aquaculture facility on the island of St Kitts.