The cod were hatched at Great Bay Aquaculture in Portsmouth, N.H., the only commercial hatchery that rears cod in the United States. There, UNH researchers collaborate with the proprietors to refine the science and business of incubating, hatching, and rearing cod fingerlings.

The cod were the offspring of wild Gulf of Maine brood stock, collected by local fishermen and still in residence at Great Bay. Because cod can be raised at high densities, it is good candidate for culture. However, there are well-known challenges to the process—even for an operation that has reared about 1.5 million young cod.

To address these challenges, Great Bay has been honing its management practices. They carefully screen the wild brood stock, disinfect the eggs, and minimize hatchery stress. Since tiny cod are only willing to eat live feed, Great Bay is also in the business of growing algae to feed crops of microscopic rotifers and brine shrimp for the young cod to eat. To combat disease, each fish is vaccinated with Vibrogen, a practice that reduces the need for antibiotics in the future. No antibiotics were used during the offshore cod culture experiment.

Watch a video of the cod in tanks at Great Bay Aquaculture

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