Aquaculture species selection method applied to marine fish in the Caribbean

A five-phase method for the evaluation and selection of tropical marine fish for intensive culture is proposed and the application of the first four phases is presented for the Caribbean region. In phase-1, an initial list of 50 species was prepared from 2175 present in the Western Central Atlantic, based on their commercial importance, and certain relevant biological features. Phase 2 includes economic and technological development considerations. Eleven preselected, four non-preselected, and six traditionally cultivated species (controls) were evaluated in phase-3 using a score and weighting factor method with four categories, established according to the point score. Species preselection by environment and culture system (phase-4) was carried out according to estimated performance at the site and culture system under Caribbean conditions, as well as the species' tolerance to environmental factors and the total score obtained as final criteria. To be finally selected, species must be subject to practical pilot-scale (phase 5) trials with technical, financial and ecological feasibility analyses. Yellowtail amberjacks, Seriola spp., and cobia, Rachycentron canadum, ranked first for open water cage and supra-littoral tank culture. Ranking in the second category were Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, pompano, Trachinotus falcatus, and common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, which were selected for ponds and floating cages on estuarine and coastal waters, and Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus and mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis, which were selected for cages on coastal or offshore clear waters. Two of the exotic tropical species: barramundi, Lates calcarifer and mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, as well as one of the subtropical control species: red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, were highly scored and ranked in the first two priority categories, thereby confirming the effectiveness of the selection method applied.