Hybrid striped bass are a major part of the aquaculture industry. Striped bass are found naturally along the Atlantic coast, but most aquafarmers raise the hybrid, due to their fast growth rate, increased harvest size and vigorous offspring. These hybrids are produced by breeding the white bass with the striped bass.
Southern states breed stripped bass in mud ponds. They generally will purchase fingerlings from hatcheries and then use their facility as a grow out. At about 18-24 months the bass are at a marketable size of 1-2 pounds. The fish are then harvested by seining the pond.
In colder, northern regions, the bass are generally raised in tanks. The water must be monitored and the perimeters must be kept in order to successfully breed this fish.
The hybrid stripped bass is a food fish. Most of the trade exists between aquaculturists and restaurants and supermarkets. They are very popular and many are exported out to European countries as well as sold locally. As of 2005, the production of stripped bass was at approximately 11 million pounds annually, which translates into total sales of about 27.7 million dollars.
Interestingly, the production of stripped bass was down during 2007 in all areas of the United States, except for the southeastern region, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. In these states, the production increased by 28%. Obviously, there is a lot of potential for the Tennessee aquaculturist to develop a successful hybrid stripped bass operation.