Project Number: 5320-31000-007-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jan 26, 2005
End Date: Jan 25, 2010

Objective:
Problem to be Addressed: A critical need and unique opportunity now exists in Hawaii to address the feasibility of locally produced feeds for the state's aquaculture industry. USDA-ARS Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center (PBARC) and Oceanic Institute (OI) will develop a cooperative effort towards the goal of establishing long-term sustainability of the state's aquaculture industry. Objective 1: Define the nutrient requirements of aquaculture species in the state, especially the Pacific threadfin, longfin amberjack, and Pacific white shrimp. Objective 2: Identify and test regionally available plant and animal by-products for their nutritional composition and bioavailability in aquaculture feeds, and produce nutritionally complete diets for evaluation. Objective 3: Test the effectiveness of the produced feeds on commercial scale through collaborations with University and commercial partners.

Approach:
This project advances the science and technology of developing feeds for optimum nutrition of cultured shrimp and finfish, using a vertically integrated approach. Its three distinct but interdependent objectives are: develop commercially viable feeds and processing methods using tropical agricultural by-products; establish nutritional and biochemical strategies for maximizing larval and growout productivity and reducing fish meal in feeds for tropical species; and establish product quality of species reared on the developed feeds. Successful completion of this project will fill a knowledge gap in the science and technology of culturing the tropical species Pacific white shrimp, Pacific threadfin, and longfin amberjack. The resultant technology will have a significant impact on aquaculture in Hawaii, other Pacific Basin islands, and tropical regions of the U.S. Expansion of domestic aquaculture production could help offset part of the national trade deficit in fisheries products, and promote a sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. Formerly 5320-31000-006-00D (1/2005)