Methods for reproductive sterilization are broadly needed in marine aquaculture due to biosafety concerns associated with escapement of farmed fish and potential genetic contamination of wild stocks. Current methods for sterilization have been primarily tested in freshwater fishes and are often ineffective, particularly in males. The proposed activity builds upon our recent success in producing the first-ever monosex female stocks of sablefish for aquaculture and seeks to develop eco-friendly, non-GMO methods for reproductive sterilization. We will use sablefish as our model marine species for sterilization and continue to collaborate with University of Maryland faculty with expertise in cutting-edge techniques for sterilization. Development of sustainable marine aquaculture is a high priority at the local (NWFSC), regional (WCR), and national levels (NOAA, DOC, Congress). Our sablefish sex control/sterilization project was also highlighted as a critical priority and outstanding area of research in the NOAA Aquaculture Science Review published 28 Feb 2019. We ultimately aim to transfer a sterilization technology to the US sablefish aquaculture industry and expand our methodology to other important species, with the goal of improving sustainability of marine aquaculture and mitigating impacts on the environment. Fish in experiments are often PIT tagged and regularly checked for growth in fork length and body weight.

Methods for reproductive sterilization are broadly needed in marine aquaculture due to biosafety concerns associated with escapement of farmed fish and potential genetic contamination of wild stocks. Current methods for sterilization have been primarily tested in freshwater fishes and are often ineffective, particularly in males. The proposed activity builds upon our recent success in producing the first-ever monosex female stocks of sablefish for aquaculture and seeks to develop eco-friendly, non-GMO methods for reproductive sterilization. We will use sablefish as our model marine species for sterilization and continue to collaborate with University of Maryland faculty with expertise in cutting-edge techniques for sterilization. Development of sustainable marine aquaculture is a high priority at the local (NWFSC), regional (WCR), and national levels (NOAA, DOC, Congress). Our sablefish sex control/sterilization project was also highlighted as a critical priority and outstanding area of research in the NOAA Aquaculture Science Review published 28 Feb 2019. We ultimately aim to transfer a sterilization technology to the US sablefish aquaculture industry and expand our methodology to other important species, with the goal of improving sustainability of marine aquaculture and mitigating impacts on the environment. Data on the expression of various genes in the gonads of sablefish during sex differentiation are collected.

Methods for reproductive sterilization are broadly needed in marine aquaculture due to biosafety concerns associated with escapement of farmed fish and potential genetic contamination of wild stocks. Current methods for sterilization have been primarily tested in freshwater fishes and are often ineffective, particularly in males. The proposed activity builds upon our recent success in producing the first-ever monosex female stocks of sablefish for aquaculture and seeks to develop eco-friendly, non-GMO methods for reproductive sterilization. We will use sablefish as our model marine species for sterilization and continue to collaborate with University of Maryland faculty with expertise in cutting-edge techniques for sterilization. Development of sustainable marine aquaculture is a high priority at the local (NWFSC), regional (WCR), and national levels (NOAA, DOC, Congress). Our sablefish sex control/sterilization project was also highlighted as a critical priority and outstanding area of research in the NOAA Aquaculture Science Review published 28 Feb 2019. We ultimately aim to transfer a sterilization technology to the US sablefish aquaculture industry and expand our methodology to other important species, with the goal of improving sustainability of marine aquaculture and mitigating impacts on the environment. In these experiments sablefish sex ratio data are collected using gonadal histology and a genetic sex marker.

Our experience with juvenile sablefish and long term rearing of broodstock indicate that salmon grower feeds currently used by commercial sablefish farmers for grow out are not optimally formulated to support maximum growth and efficient feed conversion. However, there are no published studies examining the effects of dietary nutrient balance on productive performance and growth at any post larval life-history stage for this species, and there are currently no commercial diets specifically formulated for sablefish in the marketplace. Because of the large impact of feed cost on the economic viability of farming sablefish, we are focusing on grow out diets intended for use during the post larval stages of development when the fish are being reared to harvest size. In this research, we use a novel statistical mixture model and response surface analysis method to determine the optimal level of dietary protein, lipid and digestible carbohydrate for testing. This approach permits simultaneous testing of diet formulations encompassing the full range of protein, lipid and digestible carbohydrate that can be produced commercially using today’s most advanced extrusion feed manufacturing technology. Raw data on rearing densities, tanks, water temperature, mortalities, ration and feed size may be available.

This is a database of a variety of biological, reproductive, and energetic data collected from fish on the continental shelf in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Species sampled in this database thus far include winter flounder, yellowtail flounder, summer flounder, haddock, cusk, Atlantic wolffish, and Atlantic herring. Data are collected from fish provided principally from fishermen participating in the NECRP Study Fleet. Some fish are taken from other NECRP research studies, and a small number from NEFSC surveys and surveys by MADMF and URI GSO. The catch location data is provided in views from the relevant FVTR, SVDBS, or other tables for a few cooperative research or external programs. The biological data includes general physical data (weights, lengths, organ weights, macroscopic maturity stage), age data, and other reproductive data. Measures collected from preserved gonad samples includes data for estimation of fish fecundity (oocyte counts and diameters) and from grading gonad histology for determination of maturity and seasonal reproductive status. In addition, relative measures of energetic condition are collected (including tissue wet weight and dry weights and bioimpedance data), and for some fish food habits data were collected in the first 18 months of data collection.

Feed costs and time to harvest are key factors affecting the economic viability of domestic sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) aquaculture. Use of fast growing all-female monosex stocks dramatically reduces time to harvest, but our research to date indicates that the commercial salmon feeds typically used by industry are not optimally formulated for sablefish and there is still a high degree of potential for improved growth and feed conversion. The effects of dietary balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrate on productive performance, growth and feed conversion at any post-juvenile stage of development are unknown, and there are no commercial diets specifically formulated for sablefish aquaculture in the marketplace. Dietary nutrient imbalances combined with inappropriate feeding schedules and strategies contribute to poor nutrient utilization and are unlikely to fully support the growth potential of this species, impeding continued efforts to improve performance during grow-out to harvest. Thus, research activity focuses on establishing performance optimized diets and feeding strategies that support maximum growth, efficient feed conversion and other economically important traits such as fillet yield. Raw data on rearing densities, tanks, water temperature, mortalities, ration and feed size may be available.

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) have a wide distribution along the Pacific coast, extending from Baja California to Alaska, the Bering Sea and through to the eastern coast of Japan. A unique feature of these fish is the wide variation in temperature and depth that sablefish experience throughout their life cycle, extending from depths 200m as adults to the surface as larvae and juveniles. While the landed weight of sablefish in the commercial fishery is relatively small, the exceptionally high value of this species ranks it 3rd in economic value to walleye pollock and Pacific cod. As such, sablefish are highly managed throughout the Pacific, and understanding the biology of this species is essential for proper management. The aim of this project is to characterize the reproductive life history of two populations of sablefish in coastal Washington and California. Fish will be collected from the same geographical location on a monthly basis for one year. The reproductive status will be determined from gonadal histology and plasma sex steroid levels, and age will be determined from otoliths. It is expected that data on size, age, rate of gonadal development, seasonal timing of spawning, fecundity, frequency of reproduction, and potential shifts in distribution of sexes will be obtained. This study applies directly to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, because the data will be used to improve stock assessments and estimates of spawning biomass in this commercially important species. This project is a cooperation with the commercial fishing industry and scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). Size, sex, gonad stage, fecundity.

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) have a wide distribution along the Pacific coast, extending from Baja California to Alaska, the Bering Sea and through to the eastern coast of Japan. A unique feature of these fish is the wide variation in temperature and depth that sablefish experience throughout their life cycle, extending from depths 200m as adults to the surface as larvae and juveniles. While the landed weight of sablefish in the commercial fishery is relatively small, the exceptionally high value of this species ranks it 3rd in economic value to walleye pollock and Pacific cod. As such, sablefish are highly managed throughout the Pacific, and understanding the biology of this species is essential for proper management. The aim of this project is to characterize the reproductive life history of two populations of sablefish in coastal Washington and California. Fish will be collected from the same geographical location on a monthly basis for one year. The reproductive status will be determined from gonadal histology and plasma sex steroid levels, and age will be determined from otoliths. It is expected that data on size, age, rate of gonadal development, seasonal timing of spawning, fecundity, frequency of reproduction, and potential shifts in distribution of sexes will be obtained. This study applies directly to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, because the data will be used to improve stock assessments and estimates of spawning biomass in this commercially important species. This project is a cooperation with the commercial fishing industry and scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). Size, sex, gonad stage, fecundity.

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) have a wide distribution along the Pacific coast, extending from Baja California to Alaska, the Bering Sea and through to the eastern coast of Japan. A unique feature of these fish is the wide variation in temperature and depth that sablefish experience throughout their life cycle, extending from depths 200m as adults to the surface as larvae and juveniles. While the landed weight of sablefish in the commercial fishery is relatively small, the exceptionally high value of this species ranks it 3rd in economic value to walleye pollock and Pacific cod. As such, sablefish are highly managed throughout the Pacific, and understanding the biology of this species is essential for proper management. The aim of this project is to characterize the reproductive life history of two populations of sablefish in coastal Washington and California. Fish will be collected from the same geographical location on a monthly basis for one year. The reproductive status will be determined from gonadal histology and plasma sex steroid levels, and age will be determined from otoliths. It is expected that data on size, age, rate of gonadal development, seasonal timing of spawning, fecundity, frequency of reproduction, and potential shifts in distribution of sexes will be obtained. This study applies directly to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, because the data will be used to improve stock assessments and estimates of spawning biomass in this commercially important species. This project is a cooperation with the commercial fishing industry and scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). Size, sex, gonad stage, fecundity.

Conduct captive brood stock gene rescue program for Elwha River odd-year class pink salmon. Raw data on rearing density, loading density, water temperature, ration, and feed size may be available. Raw data on administration of therapeutic drugs may be available.