Increased restrictions on wild live-bait shrimp catches combined with significant annual increases in demand suggest that the supply problem of this industry will continue if no alternative source of live bait shrimp is established. The major obstacles in the development of the farm-raised live bait shrimp industry is the lack of a reliable source of pathogen-free postlarvae (PL) needed for stocking the production systems. The proposed study seeks to isolate pathogen-free captive breeding populations ofFarfantepenaeus aztecus collected from the wild. These founder populations will be quarantined and screened for infectious viruses. Upon receiving the laboratory disease approval, females will be induced to mature and spawn using eyestalk ablation techniques. The offspring produced will be used to develop a pond raised brood stock of F. aztecus as well as provide a source of pathogen viral-free postlarvae for commercial production of live bait shrimp. The second phase of this project involves closing the life cycle of this species in captivity. This objective will be achieved by raising the offspring produced in Phase I to adult size.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research: The maturation techniques and larval rearing protocols developed for the consistent production of pathogen viral-free postlarvae will provide the necessary information for reliable seed stock production and criteria for the evaluation of pond raised F. aztecus broodstock. The pond-raised broodstock and technology generated by these efforts provide a base on which Lone Star Farm will develop its commercial hatchery. The reliable supply of pathogen viral-free postlarvae developed through this project will allow the development of live bait shrimp farming on the Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coasts of the United States.
