ARS is dedicating new facilities to research
technologies to enhance the sustainability and profitability of cold water
marine aquaculture such as the raising of Atlantic salmon, once caught wild in
great numbers in New England waters. Photo courtesy of Kim Taylor/Warren
Photographic.
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Franklin Fish Lab Opens with a Splash
By Ann Perry
May 27, 2008 FRANKLIN, Maine, May 27,
2008The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) dedicated its new National Cold Water
Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC)
here today. Research at the new center is focused on developing technologies to
enhance the sustainability and profitability of cold water marine aquaculture
and ensure safe, abundant seafood for U.S. consumers. ARS is the chief
intramural scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Research at NCWMAC will be conducted in collaboration with ongoing research
at the University of Maine's Aquaculture
Research Center in Orono and the university's Center for Cooperative
Aquaculture Research (CCAR) in
Franklin.
The new ARS laboratory also will support national and international research
programs and initiatives in aquaculture. With the annual U.S. seafood trade
deficit at more than $9 billion, and increasing concerns about the safety of
imported seafood, the domestic aquaculture sector is serving an important
national need.
Commercial seafood producers in Maine and other Northeast states are
expanding their efforts to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality
seafood," said ARS Administrator
Edward
B. Knipling. "NCWMAC research will support seafood producers and
allied industries in developing cost-effective and sustainable practices to
meet that demand. Research at NCWMAC has already made significant contributions
to cold water aquaculture, including an Atlantic salmon breeding program that
has started to provide Atlantic salmon germplasm to commercial producers.
When all components of NCWMAC are completed and the center is fully staffed,
NCWMAC will have 14 full-time scientists and approximately 45 support
personnel. Construction of the $22.7 million facilitywhich provides more
than 44,000 square feet of laboratory, office and tank spacewas completed
in June 2007 on a site adjacent to the University of Maine's CCAR. This
proximity will facilitate cutting-edge investigations and collaborative
research with University of Maine scientists and industry partners on key
issues in current aquaculture production.
NCWMAC Director
William
R. Wolters delivered opening remarks and introductions at todays
event. Invited attendees included Rep. Michael Michaud; Governor John Baldacci;
University of Maine President Robert Kennedy; Maine Aquaculture Association
President Sebastian Belle; and
Merle
Pierson, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.