QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL / HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF RED DRUM Sciaenops ocellatus CULTURED FOR STOCK ENHANCEMENT

Red Drum  (Sciaenops ocellatus) are a warmwater marine finfish species cultured at SCDNR's Waddell Mariculture Center (WMC).  Red drum are used for aquaculture research as well  releases as juveniles as part of stock enhancement research. Until recently, fish health quality assessment/quality control protocols have not been developed or implemented at WMC that evaluate the health of fish being released into estuaries along the South Carolina coast. A primary objective over the next production season is to develop and put in place hatchery operation methods that include a health assessment and QAQC component for fish that are cultured and released. This, in addition to conservation of genetic diversity through broodstock rotation, aims to produce and release healthy fish which have a higher chance of contributing to the natural population. The present study aims to document and quantify variations in physical features of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) that can be used to sort or cull poor quality fish before they are released for stock enhancement purposes.

Seven genetically different groups of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) varying in age and size grown extensively in ponds were evaluated for both malformations and deformities of bony structures and soft tissue damage to eyes, gills and fins. The most prevalent malformations and deformities can be viewed in Figure 1. Additional malformations and deformities include loss of pelvic fins, severe fin erosion, cross bite (lateral displacement of the lower jaw), and vertebral axial deviation (i.e. scoliosis).

This study is ongoing with a goal of quantifying malformations and deformities of fish with different ages, sizes, and genetics. Additionally, information gathered will be used to produce a QAQC health assessment manual for SCDNR stock enhancement research. Early detection and sorting will produce fish that have a higher probability of surviving to adulthood after release and exhibit a wild type body conformation. Future goals aim to compare wild caught fish with hatchery fish to document natural phenotypic variations in Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus).