US grants fund for marine aquaculture research

Funds worth US$3.7 million have been approved by the US government for aquaculture studies at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL), Mississippi.

''The federal money will support science that underpins the development of marine aquaculture,'' said William Hawkins, director and professor at the research laboratory that operates under the University of Southern Mississippi.

According to Hawkins, the funds will be used to support and enhance ongoing studies on key species like spotted sea trout and red snapper, hoping that these studies would bring these species to commercialisation.

Interestingly, he said the need for marine aquaculture research in the US is critical, as imported seafood ''is a major element of our balance of trade.''

The funding was announced by Senator Thad Cochran, R-Jackson, as part of the US$1.1 trillion spending bill approved and sent to President Barrack Obama.

Hawkins said the money is a significant development for the facility, which operates research and academic programmes at the Ocean Springs and Cedar Point.

Jeffrey Lotz, professor and chair of coastal sciences at the laboratory, said marine fish present difficult reproductive and larvae issues, adding that reproductive and feeding studies are needed.

About US$40 million in buildings have been constructed or are planned at Cedar Point, said Hawkins. The research laboratory is viewed as ''at least a regional center'' and is becoming a national player in marine aquaculture research, he said.