Performance of Striped Bass reared at mid‐Atlantic and Gulf coast photothermal regimes

Abstract Objective Investigate Striped Bass Morone saxatilis growth in different photothermal environments and generate an interest in strain‐specific broodstock development for marine net‐pen culture. Methods In this effort, Striped Bass strains from Atlantic (Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland) and Gulf Coast (Florida and Texas) states were cultured in recirculating aquaculture systems, simulating a full‐production cycle to early market size in each respective region's photothermal environment. The Atlantic and Gulf strains were initially maintained in recirculating aquaculture systems “nurseries” until 400 and 160 days postspawn, respectively, when offshore conditions (temperature) were conducive for stocking juvenile fish. Individuals from all strains were implanted with PIT tags and stocked (“common garden design”) into a pair of identical recirculating systems (three 5000‐L tanks/system). One system received 48 Atlantic fish/tank (16 fish/strain; Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland), and the second system received 48 Gulf fish/tank (24 fish/strain; Florida and Texas). Salinity was maintained at 30‰, and photothermal regimes corresponded with ambient ocean conditions at selected locations off the mid‐Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Studies were conducted for up to 2 years, and production parameters (feed conversion, absolute growth rate, survival) were compared. Result The final weights of ungraded fish in both simulated locations averaged approximately 900 g by 600 days postspawn and early market size (~1.3 kg) by 800 days postspawn. Conclusion Growth rates differed by strain in both nursery and grow‐out phases, but the results indicate high potential for production of Striped Bass in U.S. coastal waters.