COBIA (Rachycentron canadum)

(DHA) and vitamin E levels compared to other marine cultured species (Shiau 1999). About 60percent is edible. The white meat is highly suitable for sashimi and other Chinese cuisines becauseof its tender but firm texture (Liao 2003). Cobia culture in Taiwan began in the early 1990s and thetechnology for mass fry production was completed in 1997 (Chang et al. 1999). It has stood out as apopular species for cage aquaculture compared with other marine fish species, including grouperand snapper. Total cobia production increased from 1,800 tons in 1999 to 3,000 tons in 2001, butplunged to 1,000 tons in 2002 because of a high incidence of disease and losses from strongtyphoons. Production recovered to almost 3,000 tons in 2003 and is projected to reach 5,000 tons in2004 if favorable culture conditions can be maintained and problems minimized. Cobia produced inoffshore cages were mainly for export but as domestic consumer acceptability increased localdemand accelerated. This has, in turn, resulted in higher market prices. With the increasing interestof cage farmers in Taiwan in the culture of cobia, technology improvements for mass larval rearing,nursery and growout production were recently introduced to meet the increasing demand in bothdomestic and international markets.144. Liao, I.C. & Leaño, E.M. (eds.) (2007). Cobia Aquaculture: Research, Development andCommercial Production. Asia Fisheries Society, The Fisheries Society of Taiwan, WorldAquaculture Society and National Taiwan Ocean University, 178 pp.This book provides a great deal of information in all aspects of cobia aquaculture and utilization,which will be useful for individuals interested in research or those interested in putting up smallorcommercial-scale operations. As an added spice, a list of wonderful cobia recipes is included inthe Appendix, where consumers will be guided on the proper way to prepare delicious cobiadishes.145. Liu, S.M., Hsia, M.P. & Huang, C.M. (2006). Accumulation of butyltin compounds in cobiaRachycentron canadum raised in offshore aquaculture sites. Science of the Total Environment,355(1-3), 167-175.Butyltin residues (monobutyltin, MBT; dibutyltin, DBT; tributyltin, TBT; tetrabutyltin, TeBT) inthe sea water and in the cobia (Rachycentron canadum) from aquaculture sites located offshore ofPenhu island, Taiwan, were collected and quantified. The average concentrations of MBT, DBT,TBT and TeBT in sea water were n.d. – 28 ± 3, 4.0 ± 0.6 – 88 ± 13, n.d. – 43 ± 4, and n.d. – 7 ± 1ng -l , respectively. The total butyltin (sum of MBT, DBT, TBT, TeBT) residues in the skin, dorsalmuscle, ventral muscle, dark muscle, and liver of the cobia were in the range of 72 ± 12–2270 ± 85,79 ± 11–688 ± 33, 82 ± 14–1715 ± 104, 93 ± 13–803 ± 47, and n.d. – 52,745 ± 252 ng g -1 (wetweight), respectively. Although in this study in most cases, the highest concentration of totalbutyltin residues was found in liver or skin, in some cases, the highest concentration was found inmuscle tissue. The crude lipid content in the skin, dorsal muscle, ventral muscle, dark muscle, andliver of these cobia was in the range of 7.9 ± 0.1–28 ± 1%, 11.7 ± 0.8–29 ± 1%, 11.5 ± 0.3–44 ±3%, 24.2 ± 0.4–48.4 ± 0.4%, and 55.7 ± 0.1–87.7 ± 0.4% (wet weight), respectively. Theconcentrations of crude lipid content, and the concentrations of total butyltin residues in thesetissues were not correlated.146. Morales, A.G., Alfaro, M., Cabarcas Nuñez, A. & Alston, D.E. (2006). Effects of two openwatersubmerged cages stocked with cobia Rachycentron canadum and red snapper Lutjanus analison the benthic macroinvertebrate population at Culebra, Puerto Rico. Proceedings of the Gulf andCaribbean Fisheries Institute, 57:1024-1025.Two sediment core samples were taken bimonthly from (October 2002 at October 2003) southwestof Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. At each sample site (cage center and 40 m north, south, east andwest) near two open-cages stocked with cobia (Rachycentron canadum) or red snapper (Lutjanusanalis), and at a control site. Macroinvertebrate were separed with a 0.5 mm mesh sieve. Meanabundance of total soft-bottom inverte brates from all stations varied from a minimum of 694ind/m 2 during October to 3.336 ind/m 2 during april 2003. A total of 72 families were identified fromcollections in project site, Culebra, Puerto Rico. Polychaetes (29), Mollusks (21) and Crustaceans(22). No general pattern of distribution between stations at both cages and control station has beenobserved in the soft-bottom macrobenthic communities in relation to he organic inputs. Only,central stations at both cages showed significant differences with respect to the other stations.147. Quintana, R., (2011). Overview of aquaculture in Belize. In: A. Lovatelli and S. Sarkis (eds). Aregional shellfish hatchery for the Wider Caribbean: Assessing its feasibility and43