Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) have reached the point where they can be used to sustainably produce seafood in interior states, providing healthy, fresh, locally-grown fish to consumers who otherwise cannot acquire it. However, there remains room for improvement in RAS technology and species development. Shrimp farming in the US has been gaining some popularity and olive flounder are a species that performs well in other countries, but is not grown in the US. This project has three objectives: 1.) Increase production of shrimp and flounder in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to improve profitability, 2.) increase the environmental sustainability of RAS and lower it's carbon footprint, and 3.) develop an understanding of consumers' perceptions and sensory reactions to seafood produced in various RAS environments. Under objective 1, we will push the limits of shrimp stocking density in RAS, expand the capacity of the only US flounder hatchery in the US, and evaluate the tolerance of flounder to various salinities. Under objective 2, we will evaluate the ability of vascular plants and macroalgae to assimilate nutrients and CO2 in RAS, and we will examine the production of greenhouse gases from anaerobic digesters in various environmental conditions. For objective 3, we will survey the perceptions of consumers from interior states with regard to their preferences for seafood and we will evaluate how the flounder, plants, and algae produced in this project are perceived by consumers from a sensory standpoint. This project will dramatically increase the US capacity for sustainable seafood research and production.
Animal Health Component
10%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
75%
Developmental
25%
Goals / Objectives
Objective 1. Enhance capacity to produce high-value marine fish and shrimp in RASActivity 1 will test the effects of shrimp stocking density in RAS with horizontal substrate available for the shrimpActivity 2 will center on improving the breeding program for olive flounder at UM through utilization of genomic information on individual fish to assess levels of potential inbreeding and to maximize genetic diversity amongst the broodstock populationActivity 3 will evaluate the effects of salinity on the production dynamics and stress indicator levels of flounder.Objective 2. Improve the sustainability of marine RAS through gas and nutrient captureActivity 1 will examine the effects of salinity on nutrient assimilation rates of vascular plant and macroalgae species used to remediate RAS water.Activity 2 will evaluate the effects of salinity on composition of gases produced by anaerobic sludge digestersObjective 3. Examine consumer perceptions of marine RAS productsActivity 1: Marine RAS acceptance survey.Activity 2: Taste test of marine RAS products.
Project Methods
Objective 1. Enhance capacity to produce high-value marine fish and shrimp in RAS: Activity 1 will test the effects of shrimp stocking density in RAS with horizontal substrate available for the shrimp. A previous trial and on-farm demonstrations have shown that the density of shrimp can be very high when provided horizontal substrate within clear-water production tanks. To optimize production levels and profit potential for farmers, the upper limits of these densities should be explored. A new, 9 tank RAS is being completed at KSU and this activity will take advantage of that new system.Activity 2 will center on improving the breeding program for olive flounder at UM through utilization of genomic information on individual fish to assess levels of potential inbreeding and to maximize genetic diversity amongst the broodstock population. Additionally, innovative grading techniques will be implemented and evaluated to help sort out smaller fish, which are typically male fish that contribute to size variability and lower biomass production in stocks that are reared to market size. The improved selective breeding techniques will be used to contribute to an improved stock of fish at UM. This will build the capacity of UM to serve as a reliable hatchery and provide olive flounder to farmers in the U.S.Responsible Entity: UMActivity 3 will evaluate the effects of salinity on the production dynamics and stress indicator levels of flounder. Olive flounder have been shown to grow in various salinities, at least for short periods of time, with similar production levels. However, the longer-term implications of salinity and the effects on the quality of the fish remain unclear. An experiment evaluating the effects of salinity will allow farmers to understand the implications this can have on fish production. This activity will be conducted using independent RAS which contain one tank each so that replicates are separate.Responsible Entity: KSU (UM provides fish)Objective 2. Improve the sustainability of marine RAS through gas and nutrient captureActivity 1 will examine the effects of salinity on nutrient assimilation rates of vascular plant and macroalgae species used to remediate RAS water. This will be performed in conjunction with Activity 1 of Objective 1 by incorporating aquaponics components into the salinity trial. Two vascular plants will be evaluated: Salicornia sp. and Sesuvium sp. and two macroalgae species will be evaluated: Ulva sp. and Gracilaria sp. UM and KSU will each conduct this work, helping to assess the broad geographical, climatological, and technological applicability of the techniques.Responsible Entity: KSU and UMActivity 2 will evaluate the effects of salinity on composition of gases produced by anaerobic sludge digesters. Sludge will be concentrated from at least two points in the RAS during objective 1, activity 3, the primary solids filter (a drum filter) and the tertiary solids filter (a foam fractionator). These waste streams will be characterized for various physical and chemical attributes (solids concentration, mineral composition, etc...) then placed in digestors with rotating paddles for mixing. The gas ejected from those containers will be monitored for concentrations of methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.Responsible Entity: KSUObjective 3. Examine consumer perceptions of marine RAS productsActivity 1: Marine RAS acceptance survey. We will conduct a comprehensive survey of consumer perceptions of seafood products focused on interior states of the United States. Information garnered will include fish species preferred, qualities preferred (fresh, local, value-added, white fish, texture, flavor, etc...), willingness to pay (value), health benefits, preparation methods (ex. sashimi, broiled, grilled, fried, etc...) and sustainability. This will help farmers understand how to best market their fish.Responsible Entity: BGSUActivity 2: Taste test of marine RAS products. We will assess consumer sensory perceptions of fish, algae, and plants grown in various salinities during activity 3 of objective 1. Although flounder have been grown at lower salinities, there is no information widely available on the effects this may have with fillet quality. Anecdotal reports indicate that flesh quality may be lower at lower salinity. Likewise, salinity has been found to have substantial implications on the flavor and texture profiles of aquatic plants. Understanding these effects will guide best practices to optimize the taste of RAS products.Responsible Entity: BGSU (KSU and UM provide products)