RECENT PROGRESS IN EXPERIMENTAL SALTWATER 

 TILAPIA CULTURE IN THE CARIBBEAN 



Wade 0. Watanabe 1 , Robert I. Wicklund 1 , Bori L. 011a 2 , 



and Douglas H. Ernst x 



1 Caribbean Marine Research Center 



100 E. 17th Street, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, and 



Lee Stocking Island, Exuraa Cays, Bahamas 



Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies 

 National Marine Fisheries Service 

 Hatfield Marine Science Center 

 Newport, OR 97365 



ABSTRACT 



The Caribbean Marine Research Center is conducting research 

 aimed at developing technology for mariculture production of 

 tilapias (a euryhaline finfish group) as an inexpensive food 

 source for Caribbean Islands and similar regions where freshwater 

 resources are limiting. Florida red tilapia hybrids ( Oreochromis 

 urolepis hornorum x 0^ mossambicus ) , found highly adaptable to 

 seawater, were selected for mariculture development, and studies 

 are underway to develop hatchery, nursery and growout methods. A 

 pilot-scale hatchery supporting experimental research and 

 extension projects has been in operation since April 1987 on Lee 

 Stocking Island ( Exuma Cays, Bahamas). 



Experimental studies have included: 1) the determination of 

 the effects of salinity on growth and reproduction in Florida red 

 tilapia; 2) the development of seawater acclimation methods which 

 minimize the requirement for freshwater during the hatchery phase 

 of production and which maximize survival and growth in seawater; 

 3) an assessment of the utility of organic fertilizers (i.e., 

 chicken manure) in lieu of prepared feeds for fingerling 

 production in seawater tanks; and 4) the assessment of survival 

 and growth of Florida red tilapias reared in floating cages at a 

 marine site in the Bahamas. A feasibility study on saltwater 

 cage culture of Florida red tilapia in Haiti is also in progress. 

 Results of completed studies and preliminary findings of 

 experiments in progress are summarized. 



INTRODUCTION 



The Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC) is a private, 

 non-profit research organization located on Lee Stocking Island, 

 Exuma Cays, Bahamas. Since July 1984, CMRC has undertaken a 

 program of research aimed at developing technology for marine 

 aquaculture of tilapias (a euryhaline, freshwater finfish group), 



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