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is to design a cost effective, energy efficient aquaculture system capable of sustained, year
round production of marine warm-water species in low salinity environments.
The research team will design and test innovative, low-cost recirculating nursery and growout production systems for marine finfish. The designs will incorporate computer systems for controlling solar components, water and air temperatures, and water quality and flow. Findings will allow aquaculture production of saltwater species in new and underutilized locations in the US, resulting in better use of land resources, and reducing the demand for imported aquaculture products. The objective of this collaborative project is to develop and test affordable, energy-efficient systems for the production of marine fish, using the southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) as the model species. These efforts will expand the aquaculture opportunities for subtropical marine species to inland freshwater sites throughout the southern United States. Background There is nothing seafood lovers enjoy more than freshly caught fish served grilled, broiled, or fried as a delicious entree or as a classic fish sandwich. The demand for marine fish has never been greater than it is today. The amount of seafood captured from the ocean each year since the early 1980s reached a maximum yield of approximately 60 million metric tons (MMT). With the world's 
population increasing to 8.5 billion in the next 25 years the need for seafood is
projected at 120 MMT. In recent years, aquacultured fish, shrimp, molluscs, and seaweeds accounted for 26% of the total world harvest of seafood and is anticipated to increase to 50% in the next 25 years (Food and Agriculture Organization 1995).
There is tremendous opportunity for the United States marine aquaculture industry to meet the growing demand for seafood, alleviate the trade deficit for seafood, and to relieve harvest pressure on wild fish stocks. In 1997, U.S. seafood imports increased significantly with shrimp topping the list at almost 300,000 metric tons valued at $2.7 billion dollars. Shrimp imports continue to be the second largest contributor to the U.S. trade deficit (oil is number one) and it is expected that fish imports will increase at a similar rate. The majority of marine aquaculture worldwide takes place in coastal ponds or sea cages. In the United States the growth of the marine aquaculture industry is restricted by the high cost and limited availability of coastal lands, high production costs, shortened growing season and governmental regulations. It requires innovative approaches to eliminate these constraints and to enable marine aquaculture production to expand and develop. 
With funding from the Disney Wildlife Conservation fund, Harbor Branch initiated a program in 1997, to further the development of techniques for the cultivation of the southern flounder. Over the course of three years, trials led Aquaculture Division researchers to conclude that captive spawning of this species was technically feasible. They also determined that the long-term success of culturing this and other valuable marine organisms for the seafood marketplace depends on favorable production economics. Consequently, the location of a farm and the system design are key economic factors that may advance the production of southern flounder and other marine and brackish water species.
HBOI has demonstrated that several saltwater species such as Pacific white shrimp, southern flounder, and red drum can be successfully acclimated and grown to market size in hard freshwater recirculating systems. This technology eliminates some of the issues stifling marine aquaculture - with farms no longer limited to sites located in fragile coastal environs. Sustainable and Innovative Aquaculture This collaborative Sustainable Marine Aquaculture five-year research and development program continues through April 30, 2005. It is funded through a congressional appropriation for Aquaculture Innitiatives and includes approximately $500,000 of funding during the first year. 
Congressman Mark Foley, in whose district HARBOR BRANCH lies, worked tirelessly and effectively
to secure the funding. Rep. Foley has steadfastly championed the cause to establish the Treasure
Coast as a center for marine and environmental research.
Dr. Marty Riche, an ARS scientist, will be stationed at HBOI. Marty's specialty is nutrition and bioenergetics of cultured fish species. He will be instrumental in choosing the experimental designs for the project and he will be participating in the design and operation of the recirculating systems along with culturing southern flounder. HBOI's chief scientist on the project is Peter Van Wyk. Peter's specialty is recirculating systems, fish and shrimp culture and sustainable aquaculture practices. Peter's main focus on the project will be spawning southern flounder broodstock and rearing larvae and juveniles, and the design of low-cost recirculating systems. FSU's Dr. George Buzyna is the mechancial engineer who will design the temperature control systems. Other scientists, engineers, and technicians involved in the project include:
• The HBOI Principal Investigator for the project is Dr. Megan Davis-Hodgkins, Assistant Division Director of Aquaculture. She will provide technical and administrative support. Dr. David Vaughan, Aquaculture Division Director will also provide technical expertise for the project. Tony Wadley, Facilities Manager and Jerry Corsaut, HBOI contractor will assist in system design and construction. Hassan Sebti is an aquaculture technician who is working with the rearing flounder. Other staff includes a graduate intern and aquaculture consultant Dr. Daniel Benetti. Dr. Benetti is an assistant professor at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. He is a recognized authority in marine finfish aquaculture and has successfully spawned and larval reared southern flounder. • Florida State University staff will be lead by Dr. Nancy Marcus a Principal Investigator on the project. Other FSU participants include a postdoctoral fellow, a student assistant, Dr. John Hitron, Associate Director of FSU Marine Laboratory, and Mark Daniel, Facilities Assistant at FSU Marine Laboratory. Next, we'll examine advancements in southern flounder culture methods and aquaculture recirculating system design. Check back soon for this update and learn how refinement of these technologies can advance the culture of many species in underutilized inland locations. You can also Check out these related Inernet Sites: |
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