The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has a long history of mariculture research dating back to the early 1980’s. Much of that research has focused on aquaculture species with promising commercial potential or of conservation concern, as well as innovative techniques and strategies determined to be practical and cost-effective. During this time, the Waddell Mariculture Center was developed and became the primary location for extensive larval production of important game fish species for the state’s saltwater stock enhancement program. Recent and planned remodeling of Waddell’s intensive and extensive infrastructure is also paving the way for strong continued stock enhancement and applied aquaculture research programs as well as an increased capacity to collaborate and address additional state and regional aquaculture research priorities.
Marine stock enhancement research in South Carolina has focused on multiple species including red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), cobia (Rachycentron canadum), and striped bass (Morone saxatilis), with the most long-standing and current efforts focused on red drum and cobia production. Additionally, new efforts focused on southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) culture for stock enhancement have begun. SCDNR staff have outlined an eight year plan to conduct aquaculture, fisheries, and genetic research to ensure a responsible management approach for restocking state waters and have received a substantial contribution of state funds to remodel extensive infrastructure at Waddell and provide yearly support for staff and research costs.
In addition to stock enhancement research, efforts at the Waddell are now also focused on other applied aquaculture research. Recent renovations to intensive facilities at Waddell now provide multiple recirculating aquaculture systems with multiple tanks to allow for high levels of replication. Currently, there are efforts to evaluate the potential for Artemia replacement with artificial diets in marine, larval baitfish feeding regimes. Artemia are being replaced at varying levels with commercial, artificial larval feeds such as Otohime and Artemac to determine their effectiveness for spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), and pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera). The potential for tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) aquaculture through development of spawning and larval culture protocols is also underway. Populations of tripletail have been established to assess the potential for volitional spawning, multiple spawning hormones and varying dosages are being examined for induced spawning in tripletail, and extensive larval production in saltwater ponds may be concurrently cultured with oysters.