Status of Artificial Propagation of Mutton,. Yellowtail, and Red Snapper (family Lutjanidae) in the Southeastern United Statesq. D. ALLEN DAVIS AND R~NALII P.
American Fishcries Society Sylnpnsium 46517-540. 2005
02005 hy lhc Antcrican Fisheries Sociely
Status of Artificial Propagation of Mutton, Yellowtail, and Red Snapper (family Lutjanidae) in the Southeastern United Statesq
D. ALLENDAVIS AND R ~ N A LP.I IPHELPS De/~a~-fn~rrrr oJ' Fisherirr and Allied Aqurrculrlires. Aabrt,,? llrrivcrsiry. Aubunz. Alabnrrra 36849.5419, llSA
Introduction Snapper, of the family Lutjanidae, are considered premium food fish in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In the United States, domestic landings of snapper (4,832 metric tons [mt]; 1 mt = 1,000 kg) are inadequate to meet market demand; thus, importation of snappers has dramatically risen from 1.1 mt (valued at US$4,289) in 1989 to 11,374 mt (valued at $38.7 million) in 1998. An excellent potential exists for replacing imported snapper with a cultivated, domestic product. In the southeastern United States, three species that occur in near and offshore waters of the tropical western Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico are candidates for aquaculture: mutton snapper L~rtjanus analis, yellowtail snapper Ocylrrus clrr!ys!lsrrrzrs, and red snapper L. cnmpeckntirrs. Wild-caught adults of these species adapt quickly to captivity and accept both fresh and commercially prepared diets. Under phototlierma1 conditioning, yellowtail snapper spawn naturally in captivity, and viable embryos have been produced year round. Susceptibility of gonadal maturation to handling stress and territorial behavior has hampered the develop-
