Over the years, Tropic Seafood has invested extensively into Aquaculture research to find the best candidate species for commercial fish farming in The Bahamas. The most important criterion is that the species selected would be based on a strong global market demand, that commands a relatively high price. Secondly, the technology for raising that species must be well understood, have great survival and must also be available as fingerlings or be able to be successfully cultured in an onsite hatchery, within the specific environmental conditions found in The Bahamas.
Early on, Yellowtail Kingfish (also known as “Hamachi” in the sushi and sashimi restaurants) were grown at Tropic Seafood with great success. They attained a size of 10-12 lbs., in two years.
Following this success, Japanese/Korean Olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceous) were cultured at Tropic Seafood. This species exhibited excellent growth and resilience, and were even able to be packed live for shipping at 3 to 5 lbs.
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) broodstock were held at Tropic Seafood for many years to acclimate this wild caught species to spawn in captivity. The Nassau Grouper acclimated exceptionally well, and we saw multiple spawns of millions of eggs. After working with this species for many years, the wild-caught grouper were released back into the ocean, and had grown much larger in our care than when they were caught.
Our latest project has focused on the American Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), which has seen tremendous success in every aspect, from their growth and survival to the market response of the final product. Snapper fingerlings weighing 3 grams were received at our land-based facility, and now weigh 28 pounds! Cli
