April 28, 2023

University of Maine receives US$2.25 million for recirculating aquaculture research

The Aquaculture Research Institute at the University of Maine has been awarded US$2.25 million to study recirculating aquaculture systems for shellfish and finfish, Mainebiz reported.

Recirculating aquaculture systems, or RAS, are a growing technology in the aquaculture industry. Land-based seafood systems increase production, reduce reliance on coastal ecosystems, and improve resilience to changing environmental conditions.

Priorities for research at the university's Centre for Cooperative Aquaculture in Franklin include domestic broodstock development, sustainable alternative feeds, the effects of climate change, waste processing innovations, environmental impact reduction, and more energy-efficient systems.

The funds were provided by the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service. The funding is a significant investment not only in the future of the RAS industry, but also in workforce development.

The university has been able to create several new full-time positions related to RAS research, improve infrastructure at the Centre for Cooperative Aquaculture, and expand its research and development capabilities thanks to new investments.

Another priority is to improve the reproductive efficiency of Atlantic salmon. Future hires include a reproductive physiologist and a fisheries biologist to investigate off-flavor and water quality in RAS-grown salmon.

The research is expected to lead to a more sustainable and profitable future for the domestic aquaculture industry while also increasing access to high-quality protein.

-      Mainebiz