Offshore production of Seriola species have proven to be successful ventures across the globe but losses continue to mount and cost of production are inflated due to a small skin fluke with an extraordinarily efficient life cycle.
Blue Ocean Mariculture has been producing Seriola rivoliana
for 15 years in warm Hawaiian waters where the
monogenean skin fluke, Neobenedinia
girellae , thrives. During that time Blue Ocean has instituted several infrastructure, operational, and biological mitigation efforts to reduce the impact that these ectoparasites can have on warm water Seriola production. With new net technology, steady monitoring, and the right tools Blue Ocean has managed to increase survival on cohorts up to 92% while substantially reducing bathing costs per cycle. Discussed here are the mitigation technologies and techniques that have proven successful in offshore culture conditions. While mitigation efforts and success will vary based on location and species further research and investment is needed for the continued success of Seriola culture.