SRAC - The RACs

THE RACs

The Regional Aquaculture Centers encourage cooperative and collaborative research and extension education programs in aquaculture having regional or national application. Center programs complement and strengthen existing research and extension educational programs provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other public institutions.

The mission of the Centers is to support aquaculture research, development, demonstration, and education to enhance viable and profitable U.S. aquaculture production to benefit consumers, producers, service industries, and the American economy. Projects that are developed and funded by the Regional Centers are based on industry needs and are designed to directly impact commercial aquaculture development in all states and territories. The Centers are organized to take advantage of the best aquaculture science, education skills, and facilities in the United States. Center programs insure effective coordination and a region-wide, team approach to projects jointly conducted by research, extension, government, and industry personnel. Inter-agency collaboration and shared funding are strongly encouraged.

In addition to the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC), the other four Centers funded by the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service are:

	Dr. Ted Batterson, Director North Central Regional Aquaculture Center Michigan State University 13 Natural Resources Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1222 Phone: 517-353-1962; Fax: 517-353-7181 batters2@.msu.edu
	Dr. Cheng-Sheng Lee, Executive Director Center for Tropical & Subtropical Aquaculture University of Hawaii and Oceanic Institute Makapuu Point 41-202 Kalanianaole Waimanalo, HI 96795-1820 Phone: 808-259-7951; Fax: 808-259-8395 cslee@oceanicinstitute.org
	Dr. Fred Wheaton, Executive Director Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center University of Maryland 2113 Animal Sciences Building, Bldg. 142 College Park, Maryland 20742-2317 Phone: 301-405-6511; Fax: 301-314-9412 fwheaton@umd.edu
	Dr. Graham Young, Director Western Regional Aquaculture Center School of Fisheries, Box 357980 University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195-7980 Phone: 206-543-4290; Fax: 206-685-4674 grahamy@u.washington.edu
The Office of Aquaculture, USDA is the coordinating unit for Department-wide aquaculture activities providing leadership for the Federal-wide Joint Subcomittee on Aquaculture and coordinating the operations and activities of the five USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers. Leadership is provided by:
	Dr. Meryl Broussard National Program Leader for Aquaculture Program Manager, Regional Aquaculture Centers USDA/CSREES MAIL STOP 2220 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-2220 Phone: 202-401-6438; Fax: 202-401-6156 mbroussard@csrees.usda.gov
	Dr. Gary L. Jensen National Program Leader for Aquaculture Extension USDA/CSREES MAIL STOP 2220 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-2220 Phone: 202-401-6802; Fax: 202-401-6156 gjensen@csrees.usda.gov