2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To improve aquaculture production efficiency through systematic, coordinated research on aquatic production systems, disease diagnostics, and prevention, improved water quality, design of new equipment and production technologies, improved management technologies, and improved marketing strategies. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The research conducted will build upon previous work by UAPB scientists in pond production performance and will focus on those aspects of production (stocking densities, nutrition, management practices, and disease diagnostics and prevention) with the greatest potential to improve performance efficiency. Interdisciplinary pond, tank, and aquaria studies will be conducted to quantify production relationships among critical parameters such as diet, density, growth, water quality, management practices, and health, of important aquaculture species. Engineering principles will be applied to the development of new equipment for aquaculture production and to improve management technologies and strategies. Agribusiness marketing techniques will be applied to develop improved marketing strategies for aquaculture products. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement (No. 58-6228-5-009) between ARS and the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6228-41630-003-00D. Research is on-going and addresses objectives of the ARS Project Plan "Improved Warm Water Aquaculture Products and Technologies." Aquacultural equipment development: Refinements to the UAPB catfish grading system included installation of a lightweight reel system on the crowder boat, incorporation of a flow control valve into the grader eduction system, and development of a lift basket attachment to allow integration of the grading and loading processes. Incorporation of an improved spray jet and a re-designed piping system on the "Seinitizer" improved dispersion of the sanitizing solution. Computer simulations showed that gear selectivity characteristics are critical for continued improvement of the catfish trawl design. A monitoring system is being used to study dissolved oxygen dynamics in ponds fitted with a barrier system. Precision grading of channel catfish: Changes in catfish population size distribution over 18 months of pond production were documented when periodically harvested catfish were graded with the traditional live car grading method or the UAPB in-pond grading system. A follow-on study to quantify the effect of harvesting/grading frequency was initiated. Baitfish production: The optimal temperatures for maximizing growth in indoor systems of 0.5-1.0 g golden shiners were determined. The absence of natural food appeared to slow golden shiner growth. A follow-on study was initiated determine the effect of stocking rate on golden shiner growth in indoor systems in the presence of natural foods. Largemouth bass nutrition: Studies on the effects of different concentrations of dietary vitamin C on growth, survival, and feed efficiency continue. Refinement continued of biochemical laboratory techniques needed for dietary carbohydrate studies. Aquatic animal health: The IcHV-2 qPCR was demonstrated successfully in experimentally infected catfish, and farmed catfish were tested for the presence of the IcHV-2 genome. Healthy and moribund golden shiners and fry from at least 5 farms were tested for Chinese Grass Carp Reovirus. Multiple primer sets for koi herpes virus and spring viremia of carp virus were tested. Work on the development and application of new molecular diagnostics continues. UAPB scientists working on this Specific Cooperative Agreement published five peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals in FY 2007. Details of these publications are not captured by this report. ADODR is co-located with cooperator and is in regular contact via e-mail, written, phone, and face-to-face contacts. 4.Accomplishments Improved Diagnostic Assays Yielding Dividends: The epidemiology of several viral diseases of farmed fish was examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays developed by a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff scientist working under the Aquaculture Systems Research Unit-funded Specific Cooperative Agreement 58-6228-5-009 and in collaboration with other US and international scientists. Screening hundreds of fish samples collected from fish farms using these assays showed that Chinese Grass Carp Reovirus (CGCRV), American Grass Carp Reovirus (AGCRV), and Goldfish Hematopoetic Necrosis Virus (GHNV) are distributed widely in the US. While CGCRV and AGCRV are common, there is no evidence they cause disease in baitfish. These data were pivotal in a recent decision by a state to overturn CGCRV-related import restrictions, thus preventing the loss of greater than $1 million dollars in annual sales by baitfish farmers. The improved understanding of GHNV epidemiology led to international recognition of its status as an important pathogen and the diagnostic assay has been adopted worldwide. (NP 106 Component 2 Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management) Improved Diagnosis of Ulcer Diseases: Some ulcer disease in koi is thought to have a viral etiology. A University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff scientist working under the Aquaculture Systems Research Unit-funded Specific Cooperative Agreement 58-6228-5-009, confirmed that the overwhelming majority of koi and goldfish ulcers are caused by Aeromonas salmonicida achromogenes, but also identified two other bacterial subspecies implicated in this disease. This discovery will allow fish health practitioners to better diagnose and treat koi and goldfish ulcer disease. Treatment of the disease will now focus on antibiotics and management regimes that target Aeromonas salmonicida achromogenes without wasted effort and expense related to considering viral involvement or secondary bacterial pathogens. (NP 106 Component 2 Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management) Quantitative Benchmark Established for Catfish Size Grading Studies: A University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff scientist working under the Aquaculture Systems Research Unit-funded Specific Cooperative Agreement 58-6228-5-009 developed a dataset that describes the evolution of size distribution of catfish populations over 18 months of pond production when fish were size graded with either the traditional live car grading methods or the UAPB in-pond grader. This dataset provides rich detail for further refinement of economic models of farm production of catfish. This study has quantified the benefits in terms of fish production of returning higher percentages of sub-marketable fish to the pond through use of the UAPB grader. This study provides a quantitative benchmark from which to begin to optimize grading parameters. (NP 106 Component 5 Aquaculture Production Systems) Optimal Temperature Determined for Golden Shiners in Indoor Facilities: While the vast majority of golden shiners are raised in outdoor ponds, there is some interest in growing this fish indoors. A University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff scientist working under the Aquaculture Systems Research Unit-funded Specific Cooperative Agreement 58-6228-5-009, conducted two aquaria studies that showed that small (0.5 g) and large (1.0 g) golden shiners grew best at 26.5 and 24.9 deg C, respectively. Study results also showed that for the fish sizes tested, optimum temperature for growth in golden shiners decreased as size increased. (NP 106 Component 5 Aquaculture Production Systems) 6.Technology Transfer Number of web sites managed 1 Number of non-peer reviewed presentations and proceedings 19 Number of newspaper articles and other presentations for non-science audiences 3