Technical-economic viability of white snook Centropomus viridis culture in floating cages in a coastal lagoon in northwestern Mexico

Snooks from the genus (Centropomus spp.) are an important fishery resource in the Americas and are a new species for marine aquaculture. Nevertheless, their production potential remains unknown. This study assessed the viability to grow-out Centropomus viridis juveniles raised in marine floating cages. At the nursery stage, 15,000 juveniles (0.8 ± 0.2 g) were stocked in one 235 m3 cage at a mean water temperature of 21 ± 3.4 °C. After 120 days, the juveniles reached an average weight of 43.6 ± 20.6 g. Subsequently, the juveniles were harvested and graded by weight to continue the grow-out process. Three groups were formed for the initial grow-out period: 30 g (G30); 40 g (G40); 60 g (G60). After a period of 270 days, the mean weights of G30, G40, and G60 were 522 ± 84, 565 ± 72, 600 ± 85 g, respectively. The average grow from the three groups showed 0.77 ± 0.18 g day−1 when they were cultured at temperatures 26 °C the mean growth rate was 3.07 ± 0.76 g day−1. Economic simulations, using sensitivity analyses showed that 10 USD/kg is the only final sale price that generates profitability with a production of 20 tons and survival of 60%. Our work suggests that the grow-out site should be located in an area with a tropical-subtropical latitude, in which water temperatures oscillate between 26 and 32 °C, and that 30 g juveniles should be used in order to improve survival during the rearing conditions in the initial grow-out stage. The results showed that C. viridis culture could be both technically and economically viable. •The aquaculture of Centropomus viridis juveniles in marine cage is feasible.•These results can be used to simulate different escenarios at commercial scale.•The culture success is determined by site selection and juvenile size in the initial grow-out stage.•Temperature of the water culture and final sale price are the most important variables for the project feasibility.