RESEARCH - Research Summary

Research Summary

Sturgeon eggs (caviar) and meat are some of the most highly valued fish products in the world. Worldwide there are 27 species of sturgeon and almost all are threatened or endangered. Demand for caviar and meat is extremely high and will become higher as stocks continue to be fished. Over the last 10 years, aquaculture production of sturgeon in the world has become an important contributor of caviar and fish flesh. There is no doubt that the high value of sturgeon flesh, even before value added dress-up for market, and the extremely high price of caviar makes these species a candidate for aquacultural development in Canada.

There has been considerable interest in developing sturgeon for aquaculture in the Atlantic region. Gray Aqua Farms Ltd is the first salmon grower to diversify their product lines to include sturgeon. With their experience and resources they are the ideal company to lead the production of this species in Canada. We propose, in collaboration with our industrial partner, a series of experiments and models to hasten the introduction of shortnose sturgeon for aquaculture in Atlantic Canada.

Very little information exists on diet development and husbandry techniques that promote high growth and maximizes production per unit culture volume. However, these are key issues in developing species new to aquaculture. Thus, the objectives of our project are to:

1. develop high growth diets that rely less on fishmeal and fishoils;
2. develop husbandry techniques and technology for promoting rapid growth and maximization of production;
3. develop economically efficient techniques (SOPS) and technology for maximizing growth and health for production of shortnose sturgeon meat and caviar;
4. train HQP’s; and
5. transfer information to our industrial partner so they can develop their economic production models/strategies for development of their sturgeon aquaculture initiative.
   

Network Investigators

Matthew Litvak, Centre for Coastal Studies and Aquaculture, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB
Santosh Lall, Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council, Halifax, NS