Abstract

The marine recreational fishing industry in Florida has an economic impact of $7.6 billion dollars, which includes the expenditures of its 2.4 million licensed anglers. Interest in developing aquaculture techniques for marine baitfish species have served as an impetus for recent research; however, market data in Florida has not been investigated and described in over two decades. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate and describe the live marine baitfish market for cultured pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) and pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera) in Florida. A survey was designed and distributed to 280 bait retailers in 37 coastal counties of Florida. The survey was developed to gather information vital to market evaluation. Survey questions focused on baitfish species sold, shortcomings of wild baitfish, preferred baitfish characteristics, perception of aquaculture and cultured bait, and specific questions with an emphasis on quantities and purchasing habits for pinfish and pigfish. A total of 119 surveys representing 31 counties were returned for a 42.5% response rate. The results of this market survey will serve as a valuable resource for current and potential producers who market live marine baitfish to retailers throughout coastal Florida.

摘要

佛罗里达州的海洋休闲捕鱼业产生了 76 亿美元的经济影响，其中包括 240 万持牌垂钓者的支出。对开发海洋饵鱼品种的水产养殖技术的兴趣已成为近期研究的推动力；然而，佛罗里达州的市场数据在过去的二十多年里没有被调查和描述过。本次调查的目的是评估和描述养殖针鱼 ( Lagodon rhomboides ) 和猪鱼 ( Orthopristis chrysoptera ) 的活海洋饵鱼市场。) 在佛罗里达州。一项调查被设计并分发给佛罗里达州 37 个沿海县的 280 家诱饵零售商。该调查旨在收集对市场评估至关重要的信息。调查问题的重点是销售的饵鱼种类、野生饵鱼的缺点、偏好的饵鱼特征、对水产养殖和养殖饵料的看法，以及强调针鱼和猪鱼的数量和购买习惯的具体问题。共返回代表 31 个县的 119 份调查问卷，回复率为 42.5%。这项市场调查的结果将成为当前和潜在生产者的宝贵资源，这些生产者向佛罗里达州沿海地区的零售商销售活的海洋饵鱼。