Open AccessPROGRESS AND PROBLEMS OF NETCAGE CULTURE OF GROUPER ( Epinephelus tauvina F) IN SINGAPORE
Author(s) -
Chen F. Y.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
proceedings of the world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0748-3260
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1979.tb00025.x
Subject(s) - grouper , hermaphrodite , epinephelus , fishery , economic shortage , biology , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics)
The development of netcage culture of grouper ( Epinephelus tauvina ) and other expensive fish species in Singapore, a densely populated island state with inherent physcial limitation, is aimed at maximizing production and economic returns per unit area or effort. Studies on netcage culture are conducted at the floating experimental fishfarm. The floating structure with 32 cage units, and its effect on current movement are described. Cost‐benefit analysis based on a production of 40 kg/m 2 /year demonstrates the economic viability of grouper culture in Singapore. Large‐scale production is, however, hampered by a shortage of fingerlings and feeds (trash fish). Scientific breakthrough on the breeding of the protogynous hermaphrodite has been achieved in early 1977. It is largely due to the success in inducing sex inversion of adult females to functional males. Technical details and problems of induced sex inversion, spawning and larval rearing are discussed at length. Research into substituting trash fish with dry pelleted feeds in the weaning of juveniles is encouraging. This is discussed briefly together with the diseases encountered.