Project Number: 6225-63000-007-04
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Mar 01, 2006
End Date: Jul 13, 2008

Objective:
The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1) develop feeding management strategies and diets for optimal growth, efficiency, and reproductive success of high-value marine finfish reared in low salinity recirculating systems; 2) develop year-round spawning strategies for captive broodstock and larviculture methods for sustainable seed production of high-value marine finfish species; and 3) develop engineering processes and sustainable effluent technologies to enhance water and energy utilization and reduce environmental impacts within, and discharged from, low-salinity recirculating aquaculture systems.

Approach:
ARS will conduct cooperative research at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. (HBOI). In consultation with the ADODR, cooperative research will be conducted in efforts to design and evaluate cost-effective recirculating nursery and growout production systems for marine finfish cultured in low-salinity water. Cooperative research will primarily focus on four companion areas of study. Area one will focus on determining nutrient requirements and development of feeding strategies and diets for optimal growth, efficiency, and reproductive success of marine fish reared in low-salinity recirculating systems. Area two will focus on developing year-round spawning strategies for captive broodstock and development of early juvenile rearing methods for sustainable seed production of selected marine finfish species. Area three will focus on developing engineering processes and sustainable effluent technologies that enhance water and energy utilization and reduce environmental impacts in low-salinity environments. Area four will focus on disease management strategies for recirculating aquaculture production systems.