OCEAN LECTURE SERIES

"The Promise of a Blue Revolution: A Florida and Caribbean Aquaculture Connection "
• Ken Riley & Dr. Megan Davis

About the Lecture - 2006

Millions of people in the United States, the Bahamas, and the 39 nations of the wider Caribbean share the rich natural resources of one of the world's most diverse and productive marine ecosystems. This vast area, ranging from the western Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, supports thousands of species of marine plants and animals while providing food, jobs, and government revenue through commercial fisheries and a multi-billion dollar tourism industry. Although once viewed as an inexhaustible supply of goods and services, the marine resources of the Caribbean are now threatened by a number of human and natural forces.

The Aquaculture Division at Harbor Branch is instrumental in discovering technology for species that can be farmed in the warm waters of Florida, southeastern United States, and the Caribbean. Our speakers explore the issues supporting the sustainable use of marine fisheries and how aquaculture can contribute to restoring fisheries and producing high-quality seafood. In their interactive presentation, they will present new technologies for farming pompano, cobia, conch, lobster, and seaweeds. They will take you through high tech processes, cottage industry practices, and commercial potentials. Any environmental concerns and mitigation steps associated with these species will also be addressed. The audience will learn a true appreciation of why wild fisheries and aquaculture seafood are an important part of your every day life.

About the Speaker

Ken Riley is the Director of Aquaculture Education. He is responsible for developing aquaculture training workshops and coordinating the aquaculture degree programs with Indian River Community College. He also works with middle and high school teachers to develop curricula and plan field experiences for students visiting Harbor Branch. As a graduate of Louisiana State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Mr. Riley's education and research background has focused on the culture of freshwater and marine finfish with emphasis on broodstock management, genetics, and larval culture. His current research focuses on maturation, spawning, and early life history of marine species, such as the southern flounder, Florida pompano, and black sea bass. His goal is to develop and transfer to commercial producers cost-effective and environmentally sound culture techniques for high-value species.

Dr. Megan Davis is Division Director of Aquaculture. She has actively worked in the field of aquaculture for the past 25 years. Dr. Davis was the co-founder of a conch farm in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she developed commercial applications for culturing queen conch from the egg to juvenile stage. Her research focus is on development of warm-water species for Florida and the Caribbean region, specifically conch and lobster. She also assists on development of feasibility and business plans for potential new ventures in the Caribbean. Dr. Davis received her Ph.D. from the Department of Biology at the Florida Institute of Technology in 1998.