APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO INTENSIVE HYBRID STRIPED BASS AQUACULTURE

¹ Kent SeaTech Corporation, 11125 Flintkote Avenue-Suite J, San Diego, California, 92121, USA

A rapidly developing sector in U.S. finfish aquaculture is culture of hybrid striped bass (HSB). HSB is now fifth in volume and fourth in value of cultured finfish. Large-scale, intensive aquaculture in semi-closed recirculating tank culture systems is an approach to production of HSB that has evolved in response to limited water availability and increased environmental regulation. The economics of intensive HSB production in the U.S. requires maximizing production efficiencies, especially those related to feed conversion ratios and nutritional requirements. High-density production systems are also biologically stressful to HSB that are prone to outbreaks of infectious bacterial diseases. These factors have led to our adoption of genomic and molecular genetic approaches to help address these issues. Opportunities involving genomic approaches for genetic improvements of HSB include the use of MAS, linkage mapping, QTL identification, and transgenic techniques for: 1. improving reproductive performance and larval quality, 2. increasing stress tolerance to culture densities, physical environment, and handling stress associated with grading and harvesting, 3. enhancing disease resistance and innate/adaptive immune responses, 4. enhancing growth rates and feed conversion, 5. lowering nutritional protein and lipid requirements, and 6. increasing fillet yield and quality. In addition, we have applied molecular genetics approaches to characterize antimicrobial peptides and their regulation in HSB. These studies may lead to novel approaches for manipulating innate immunity. We also have used signature-tagged mutagenesis for development of prototype live-attenuated vaccines for prevention of Streptococcus iniae infections. These applications of biotechnology show great promise for maximizing production efficiencies in intensive HSB aquaculture.