StriperHub is a Sea Grant (NOAA) consortium of diverse academic, government, and private sector partners and stakeholders that aims to overcome barriers to develop and expand striped bass (Morone saxatilis ) aquaculture in the U.S. through demonstration and promotion of commercial-level culture, economics, and marketing. By value, 90% of seafood products consumed in the U.S. are imported, total ing a $16 billion seafood trade deficit, and half of these imported fish are reared in aquaculture operations. The recently funded Sea Grant StriperHub centered in North Carolina will address this deficit by developing striped bass as a candidate aquaculture species to strengthen the domestic seafood industry and boost the economies of coastal and rural communities of the U.S.
Currently, there is no appreciable aquaculture of white-fleshed marine fishes in the country--a candidate species in this regard would command a premium price, have high consumer demand, and adapt well to localized production environments. Research conducted over several years shows that striped bass meets all of these criteria. While hybrid striped bass (striped bass x white bass, Morone chrysops ) is a successful freshwater aquaculture species, particularly in the South and Midwest ($50 million farm gate value 2018), there is an untapped demand for (pure-strain) marine striped bass by consumers in coastal states. However, both striped bass and hybrid striped bass see high demand from lucrative ethnic markets, seafood restaurants, and sushi bars. Culturing striped bass allows for diversification of the industry to “open” systems (coastal areas) as the fish can live in fresh or saltwater, unlike hybrid striped bass.
The StriperHub is coordinated by North Carolina Sea Grant and integrates with other Sea Grant programs, industry partners, government researchers, policymakers, and university scientists to consolidate and streamline striped bass commercialization efforts. This collaboration will define striped bass markets and economics of production, develop education and training programs, clarify regulatory permitting and licensing procedures, and promote comprehensive outreach and visibility among likely producers and consumers of this new seafood product, which will be available in markets along the Eastern U.S. Coast. Specific program goals are to:
1) Identify domestic producers for commercial production and provide an adequate supply of fish to consistently supply markets;
2) Demonstrate profitability through production, marketing and economics;
3) Clarify regulatory permitting and licensing procedures; and
4) Promote comprehensive extension, marketing, training, and educational visibility to consumers and stakeholders.