COBIA (Rachycentron canadum)

government, and research institutes, has survived well through several strong typhoons. Theregained confidence in farmers, supportive government policy, and a favorable international anddomestic market has facilitated significant increase of investment and expansion of this industry.There are about ten high price fishes being cultured in 1,500 offshore cages. Among them, cobia(Rachycentron canadum) is recognized as the most promising species for its fast growth and greatmarket potential. Well-established hatchery industry guarantees stable and sufficient fry supply. A6-8 kg weight gain can be obtained in one year. Production has reached 1,000 mt in 1999, of which450 mt was exported to Japan at a price of US$ 50-60/kg. Being equipped with typhoon-resistantcage systems and possessing with experience and technologies on the suitable cultured species, theindustry is moving on the right track. However, strategies still need to be formulated andimplemented regarding the integration of research and development resources from all sectors toestablish an efficient cage culture model suitable for tropical and subtropical sea and ensuresustainable development of this new industry.131. Chen, Y.S. & Hsu, C.Y. (2006). Ecological considerations of cage aquaculture in Taiwan. Journalof the Fisheries Society of Taiwan, 33(2), 139-146.The success of aquaculture in Taiwan over the years has resulted in tremendous capital investmentand the development of advanced techniques and technologies. However, after the collapse of theshrimp farming industry in the late 1980s, the government has devoted much effort to thedevelopment of modem offshore fish farming as a top priority for its national aquaculture plan. Therecent and continuing expansion of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) cage farming in inshore areas,and the intention to develop offshore potential, has led to questions on the degree of the ecologicalimpact that can be anticipated in the future. In this paper we first briefly review the history ofaquaculture development in Taiwan particularly focusing on marine cage culture. We then outlinethe challenges facing Taiwanese cage aquaculture including potential environmental impacts. Tosolve these problems, some technical solutions for sustainable cage aquaculture are proposedincluding the employment of benthic fauna as environmental indicators, developing new types offeed processing technology to reduce the pollution load, adopting good feeding and managementpractice to reduce feed loss, monitoring the feeding behavior by video camera. It remains ofparamount importance to protect marine resources for the overall fisheries and aquaculturedevelopment. The Taiwan Offshore Aquaculture Association (TOAA) will thereforeenthusiastically support different projects assisting the government in managing the naturalresources and in preserving the environment.132. Colburn, H.R., Walker, A.B., Berlinsky, D.L. & Nardi, G.C. (2008). Factors affecting survivalof cobia, Rachycentron canadum, during simulated transport. Journal of the World AquacultureSociety, 39(5), 678-683.Interest in cobia, Rachycentron canadum, cultured has shown significant growth in recent years, butfew hatcheries are available to support this developing industry. To facilitate the transport of cobiabetween facilities, four 24-h experiments were conducted to examine the effects of density,temperature, and actual versus simulated transport on juvenile cobia (1.5--3.0 g) survival. Mortalityduring actual transport at fish densities of 5, 10, and 15 kg/m 3 (2.9 ± 0.6, 2.9 ± 1.8, and 6.3 ± 0.8%,respectively) did not differ by treatment but was significantly higher than that during simulatedtransport at each density (0%). No differences in mortality were found following simulated shippingat 19, 21, and 25 C at 15 kg/m 3 . Significantly greater mortality occurred when juveniles werepacked at 25 kg/m 3 (10.4 ± 0.7%) than at 20 kg/m 3 (1.9 ± 1.6%) and 15 kg/m 3 (0.1 ± 0.1%).Recovery following simulated and actual shipping was high in all treatment groups. Under theconditions examined, results indicate that transport density should not exceed 20 kg/m 3 .133. Gou, X., Ou, W. & Liao, R. (2007). Present status on studies of cobia Rachycentron canadum inChina. Marine Fisheries/Haiyang Yuye, 29(1), 84-89.Due to the advantages of fast growth, less diseases and high nutrition value, cobia Rachycentroncanadum has become one of the major marine cultivated species and the scale of culture hasexpanded rapidly in recent years in China. This paper reviews the biology, artificial breeding andfry culturing, net-cage farming, nutritional requirement, disease and genetic diversity of cobia. Theprospect for the future study is also presented.134. Hempel, E. (2011). Cobia: the rising star. Infopeca Internacional, 47, 13-17.For some years now there has been talk of a 'new star' in aquaculture. Cobia grows extremely fast,has a mild, white flesh with practically no bones, and it is a marine fish, which gives it an advantage39