ARS | Publication request: Update on the USDA-ARS and HBOI Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Research Program

Submitted to: Fish Farming News
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 22, 2007
Publication Date: December 20, 2007
Citation: Wills, P.S., Riche, M.A. 2007. Update on the USDA-ARS and HBOI Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Research Program [abstract]. Fish Farming News. 14(3):26-28.

Technical Abstract: In 2001 the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (UDSA-ARS) and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) began a joint program to develop sustainable marine aquaculture technologies in closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) at the HBOI facility in Fort Pierce, Florida. The research program is structured with four primary areas of research, each dependent upon the others, giving an integrated and all encompassing approach to the development of these technologies. The four areas are aquaculture systems engineering, marine fish nutrition, reproduction and larviculture, and market-size food fish production. The work being conducted by the USDA-ARS/HBOI Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Research Program is already establishing technologies for inland culture of high-value marine fishes. The progress that is being made will further advance the low salinity culture of marine fish such as Florida pompano toward commercialization. The commercialization of these low-salinity technologies and eventual expansion of aquaculture will provide jobs, especially in inland rural areas, and will lead to new opportunities for supporting industries.