October 19, 2022

 

Experts discuss land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture during conference in Maine, US

 

 

Aquaculture experts from across the United States, South Africa, Norway and Iceland met at the University of Maine in Maine, US, for the third annual Recirculating Aquaculture Salmon Network (RAS-N) and first annual Sustainable Aquaculture Systems Supporting Atlantic Salmon (SAS2) conference.

 

During the conference, which was held last September, scientists, communicators and educators shared information and explored current challenges for the land-based production of Atlantic salmon in the US. They also learned about new technologies, outreach strategies and cutting-edge research through presentations, panel discussions and field trips.

 

Industry members and researchers working in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) discussed various topics, such as seedstock, health and welfare, off-flavor, feeds, workforce development, consumer education and marketing, community engagement and challenges experienced within the industry.

 

Panels showcased the expertise of different stakeholders who participated in the conference, which demonstrated collaboration and networking across several areas related to RAS. Key themes from discussions included scalability, improving efficiencies and regulations, and enhancing general knowledge and understanding.

 

"Using genomics and metabolomics, we learn more about the quality of eggs and develop non-invasive predictors for broodstock quality that is scalable, fast and inexpensive," Heather Hamlin, director of the UMaine School of Marine Sciences and joint faculty member with the Aquaculture Research Institute, said during a session about seedstock. 

 

The research and development of a domestic seed supply would be extremely beneficial for the US as RAS gains more traction, as most of the current seedstock comes from abroad. Similarly, studies into combating off-flavor — created when bacteria-like streptomyces produce compounds such as geosmin through metabolism that are absorbed through the fish's gills — and more efficient feeds exemplifies the positive direction research into RAS is heading.

 

John Davidson, a research scientist with the Freshwater Institute in West Virginia, discussed studies focusing on biological mechanisms for the characterisation and control of microbiomes in RAS to reduce off-flavor, in addition to advanced chemical application and new advanced oxidation techniques. Sarah Cook from Skretting, the world's largest producer of fish feeds, discussed the physical aspects of feed impacts to RAS as a whole.

 

"It's important to look at each individual system and work with farms to understand how best their system works, because all systems are so different," Cook said.

 

The conference also focused on community engagement, understanding social license to operate and workforce development.

 

"Developing standards or competencies is needed on a national level," said Scarlet Tudor, education and outreach coordinator at UMaine's Aquaculture Research Institute. "We need people with different educations and backgrounds and we need to start them young."

 

Placing RAS in classrooms and developing modules for aquaculture curriculum with technology integration and hands-on science could increase science literacy and related skills among students, training them for future workforce needs.

 

Conference sessions also emphasised that successful development of education programmes and materials about RAS should integrate traditional ecological knowledge and engage with Indigenous knowledge sharers. Co-creating curriculum through the Wabanaki Youth in Science Program (WaYs) is one example of providing youth with education other than western science, enhancing and decompartmentalising their views.

 

Additionally, sessions emphasised the need for a coordinated communications strategy to elevate and help with social capital, interest, technology transfer, advancing research and getting people from multiple disciplines involved in the workforce.

 

The conference culminated with University of New Hampshire PhD candidate Emily Whitmore discussing the importance of community engagement.

 

"Relational elements between a company and a host community are vital," Whitmore said. "Consulting, trust building and building support instead of rebutting opposition will set you up for success."

 

RAS-N started in 2019 with funding from the National Sea Grant Office for a three-year effort to build capacity and identify and address challenges. The multi-state consortium, led by partners in Maine, Maryland, and Wisconsin, is now transitioning into a new phase, the SAS2, with US$10 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This new phase aims to increase public awareness and boost the economical and environmental sustainability of the industry.

 

"RAS is the most viable path for growth in the US," said Erik Heim from Xcelerate Aqua. "Improving time to market, keeping revenue on schedule, costs on budget, and improving environment stewardship is key."

- University of Maine