Project Number: 3655-31000-019-02
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 16, 2004
End Date: Apr 27, 2006

Objective:
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) are the traditional backbone of the Friday night fish fry in many Great Lakes shore line communities, and the market demand has always been high, indicating a strong consumer preference for this fish. Our goal is to use state-of-the-art aquaculture technology to field test the commercial production of Yellow Perch. We will assist in completing a portion of the objectives that form the research initiative being conducted by USDA/ARS and UW-Milwaukee Great Lakes WATER Institute (GLWI). The objectives of that initiative are to: 1) Develop genetically improved domesticated brood stocks of Yellow Perch with traits for year-round reproduction; 2) Develop optimal culture technology for year-round fingerling production and one-year grow out utilizing a variety of aquaculture systems; and, 3) Develop environmentally compatible and sustainable aquaculture systems for year-round viable production of Great Lakes species.

Approach:
Specifically, the UW-Superior Aquaculture Demonstration Facility will assist in applying state-of-the-art technology to the commercial production of Yellow Perch comparing growth, food conversion, cost, survival, etc. as a function of production systems such as flow-through tank and recirculation aquaculture system technology. Fingerling Yellow Perch will be reared to market size using different diet formulations and production systems to evaluate the cost/profit issue of Yellow Perch aquaculture.