Protection from the Legal Risk Involved in the use of Hormones in Aquaculture Spawning

LIFE and RMH Hawaii teamed up with program partners, CTAHR Aquaculture and Aquaponics Program to deliver a workshop on the use of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone to control the maturation and spawning of fishes in Hawaii.The workshop was held on March 31, 2012 at Hale Tuahine, in Manoa, Oahu. 

One of the most widely used hormonal products for controlling maturation and spawning in fishes is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). In Hawaii it is used primarily by farmers who culture Chinese Catfish as this species does not spawn in captivity and final maturation and spawning must be induced by hormonal intervention. Farmers learned about the mode of action of HCG by Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Ph.D, Aquaculture Specialist, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. 

LIFE, RMH and CTAHR Aquaculture and Aquaponics program covered risk management strategies available to growers and focused on the legal and human risk factors involved in working with the HCG hormone. HCG is a prescription product restricted to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Farmers and program stakeholders had the opportunity to meet with the veterinarian , Dr. Michael Wong, DVM, University of Hawaii Laboratory and Animal Service, to receive education about the use of HCG and coordinate arrangements to obtain this prescribed drug.