14 MARCH 2016 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG The Angra dos Reis region has a variety of positive characteristics for mariculture, including a tropical climate with an average water temperature of 25 C, ranging from 19 C in the winter to 30 C in the summer, and favorable geomorphological and oceanographic factors, including sheltered and open areas with good water quality and circulation, essential requirements for successful mariculture. The initiative takes a unique, alternative approach to mariculture production, with the principal objectives of promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, providing an alternative source of income for the local community, and delivering a high-quality product to the market. The initiative is underpinned by principles of sustainability and ecological efficiency, in keeping with the pristine nature of the environment. Production is characterized by low stocking densities and an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) approach, combining mollusks, seaweeds, and fish to maximize trophic efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Due to the nearshore location of the site, combined with its limited depth, ranging from 7-15 m based on tide, an intensive approach is not practical and would likely result in noticeable local environmental impacts, including reduced marine biodiversity and pollution of adjacent waters. It would also be detrimental to tourism, which is currently the main economic activity in the region. Production System Fingerling supply. Cobia was selected as the principal marine finfish species for mariculture in Brazil because of its favorable aquaculture characteristics, such as fast growth, good adaptability to confinement (cages), high-quality flesh and regional availability of fingerlings. Currently there is a marine finfish hatchery in the State of Rio de Janeiro, operated by AMBIG (Mariculture Although marine finfish culture in Brazil remains in its infancy, in recent years the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has been actively promoting mariculture through several initiatives, including the creation of research and social programs, facilitating regulatory policies and publicprivate partnerships, and subsidizing regional hatcheries to supply the mariculture sector. In Brazil, cobia Rachycentron canadum has been selected as the principal candidate species for marine finfish production due to the availability of husbandry protocols, including reproduction, larval culture and grow-out technologies, the suitability of this species to local environmental conditions, and its excellent aquaculture characteristics. Several research projects and pilot-scale initiatives for cobia cage culture have been successfully implemented around the world, with the exception of a few offshore operations. Hatchery production and offshore cage culture of cobia has proved feasible in locations where sufficient technology, supply of specialized products, and investment capital exists. However, in locations such as Brazil, where marine fish culture is still developing, it remains a challenge. Lessons learned from around the world show that the availability of specialized equipment and infrastructure, including vessels, cages and nets, combined with the supply of affordable and commerciallyavailable marine fish diets are prerequisites for successful implementation and operation of offshore cage culture of marine finfish. In this context, a small-scale nearshore pilot mariculture initiative was launched in 2009 at Ilha Grande in Angra dos Reis, an island off the Rio de Janeiro coast in Brazil. The initiative was founded by a tripartite partnership between private, academic and government sectors, with the overall goal of promoting sustainable mariculture while respecting the surrounding environment and its biodiversity. Nearshore Marine Finfish Culture: a Small-Scale Pilot Initiative in Southern Brazil Artur N. Rombenso, André L. de Araújo, Georgina Robinson, and Luís A. Sampaio TOP. Three-phase cobia grow-out system in nearshore cages. BOTTOM. Characteristics of the alternative approach to nearshore marine finfish cage culture.
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