HADDOCK RESEARCH AT THE MIT SEA GRANT’S  MARINE FINFISH HATCHERY

B.M. Moran, C.A. Goudey, M.T. Watson

Abstract:

MIT Sea Grant College Program Marine Finfish Hatchery is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown, Massachusetts (USA) and became operational in May of 1998. The main goals of this facility are to demonstrate recirculating aquaculture systems, develop protocols for alternative marine finfish and conduct outreach and education programs for the public. The species of concentration at the hatchery are haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and tautog (Tautoga onitis). Our current research focus includes adapting current haddock rearing protocols to our recirculating facility, conducting a contaminant exposure monitoring program with the tautog and experimenting with replacement diets. In an effort to increase the cost-effectiveness of our hatchery operation, we are conducting experiments on live feed replacement diets during the traditional rotifer and Artemia feeding stages. We will briefly describe our recirculating facilities and culture protocols. We will report results from this season’s studies of the utilization of a live feed replacement product for haddock larvae. Survival rates 50% and 100% replacement of traditional feed will be discussed.

(MIT Sea Grant College Program, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

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