CINEMar/Open Ocean Aquaculture Annual Progress Report for the period 1/01/04 through 12/31/04
Principal Investigator: L. Buckley, D. Berlinsky, T. Bradley
I. Accomplishments
A. Scheduled Tasks
1) Produce high-quality haddock eggs between November and May of years 1 and 2.
2) Optimize husbandry practices and environmental conditions to enhance culture of larval and early juvenile haddock
B. Progress on Tasks
We transferred our cod broodstock to Great Bay Aquaculture and prepared the facility for work with haddock. Seventy-nine adult haddock were acquired form the long-line fishery out of Chatham, MA and added to our existing haddock broodstock. Temperature and photoperiod was manipulated to initiate early spawning and to extend the period of spawning. Viable egg production began in mid-February and extended through June. Eggs were provided to a variety of researchers and juvenile haddock were provided to several public aquaria for display. About 100 juveniles were reared through the summer for studies of stress response scheduled for December. Egg diameter, hatch and viable hatch were monitored through the spawning season. Viable hatch of tank spawned eggs ranged from 10 to 85% with a mean of 47%. Total hatch was slightly higher (range 10 to 91%).
Four experiments were completed on the effects of light intensity, photoperiod and food availability on growth and survival of haddock larvae. Growth and survival of haddock larvae were unaffected over a 5-fold range of light intensities. Photoperiods ranging from 14.5 to 24 hours affected growth but not survival. Food availability affected both growth and survival. Survival in these experiments has been as high as 75% through the first month of life.
Work also was completed to establish the minimum oocyte diameter required for successful induction of spawning in haddock using GNRH. Haddock were induced with GNRH, hand stripped and viable eggs and larvae produced.
C. Important Results or Findings
Egg viability has been improved over previous years. We have established that substantial quantities of viable haddock eggs can be produced either through volitional tank spawning or hormone induction of haddock. Results from the experiments on the effects of light intensity, photoperiod and food availability have helped to establish optimal conditions for culture of haddock.
D. Difficulties Encountered
No particular difficulties were encountered. One attempt to acquire additional broodstock in May after coastal waters had warmed above 12° C helped to establish the upper temperature limits for successful capture and transport of haddock when less than 25% of fish survived. Typically survival is greater than 90%.
E. Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives on Schedule
We anticipate meeting project objectives.
F. Reports, manuscripts, and presentations resulting from the project
Peck, M.A., Buckley, L.J., and Bengtson, D.A. (2004) Inter-individual Differences in Rates of Routine Energy Loss and Growth in Young-of-Year Juvenile Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua). J. Fish. Biol. 64:984-995.
Peck, M.A., Buckley, L.J., O’Bryan, A.E. Lapolla and E. Davies. (2004) Efficacy of egg surface disinfectants in captive spawning Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L. and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus L. Aquacultue Res. 35:992-996.
Peck, M.A., Buckley, L.J., and Bengtson, D.A. (accepted) Effects of temperature, body size, and feeding on rates of metabolism in young juvenile haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus. J. Fish Biol.
Buckley, L.J., J.-D. Dutil, and T. Marshall. (draft submitted to editors) Chapter 5. Cod Growth, ICES Cod and Climate Change Book
Peck, MA, A Temming, LJ Buckley, DA Bengtson, and J-P Herrmann (submitted) Routine metabolism in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae, juveniles and adults. ICES Journal Mar. Sci.
Buckley, LJ and E Davies. Optimum photoperiod for survival and growth of larval cod (Gadus morhua). presented at Gadoid Mariculture: Development and Future Challenges. June 2004, Bergen, Norway.
Peck MA. et al. “Effects of temperature, body size, and feeding level on growth bioenergetics of young juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) presented at Gadoid Mariculture: Development and Future Challenges. Bergen, Norway.
II. Tasks and Activities for Next Reporting period
A. Tasks for the next reporting period
Tasks for the next period are organized around three objectives:
1) Produce high-quality haddock eggs between November and May of years 1 and 2.
2) Optimize husbandry practices and environmental conditions to enhance culture of larval and early juvenile haddock
3) Produce six thousand 1 gm juveniles in year 2
B. Brief work plan to accomplish tasks
We currently hold about 40 broodstock fish. A second broodstock will be established after the first of the year when the fishermen move into shoaler water. Experiments on hormone induction of spawning in conditioned and wild fish will continue. Experiments on temperature and salinity will be completed to establish optimal rearing conditions. Batch-scale larval and juvenile production will commence in February.
C. Anticipated concerns or difficulties
None anticipated.
III. Expenditures
Expenditures were within the expected range.