Tripletail, Bermuda chub, spadefish, and Atlantic croaker are all species that have unique characteristics that may make them suitable for commercial aquaculture production. Tripletail are a highly desirable sport and foodfish that is popular among recreational anglers due to the texture and quality of their flesh, yet a unique live style of floating among debris at the surface severely hinders any substantial commercial wild harvest. Bermuda chub are somewhat unique among marine fish in that they are primarily herbivorous, feeding on brown algae, and this means they have potential to be grown commercially using sustainable, non-animal protein sources. Spadefish are an abundant but underutilized marine species that has regionally devoted followings as a foodfish, so much so that wild stocks are considered overfished in several countries, yet most of the U.S. population has never heard of them let alone had the chance to eat one. Atlantic croaker is unique in that it is a popular foodfish, but are also extremely popular as a marine baitfish and have great market potential for both purposes.
Join us for a brief overview of these fish species, their potential in culture, and insights gained during their investigation as potential commercial production species for Texas and elsewhere.