Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Aquaculture Forum - Annual Meeting for WV Aquaculture Industry, Aquaculture Extension web site, (http://aquaculture.ext.wvu.edu/) Quarterly Fishtales newsletter, Aquaculture Project web site (http://aquaculture.davis.wvu.edu/), site visits, client consultation via telephone and email, Operate demonstration facilities at Dogwood Lake and Reymann Memorial Farm. Facility tours, Field Day at Reymann Memorial Farm, Animal Science Field Day - WVU Morgantown. Trout Wrangler Classic fly fishing package at Pipestem Resort, Presentation of results at US Trout Farmers meeting, Annual Aquaculture Product and Marketing Development Project Meeting, Presentations as guest lecturer in WVU classes. PARTICIPANTS: Ken Semmens, Faculty, WVU Extension Service. Jacek Jaczynski, Faculty, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Mathew Davenport, Faculty, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Sara Beamer, Research Assistant, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Todd West, Faculty, WVU Plant and Soil Sciences. Karen Buzby, Post Doc, WVU Engineering. Xinchao Wei, Faculty, WVU Civil and Environmental Engineering. Jerry Yates, Farm Manager, WVU Reymann Memorial Farm. Matthew Ferrell, Program Coordinator, Reymann Memorial Farm, Chestina Merriner, Research Assistant, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Tom Vowls, Trades Specialist, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Fonda Holehouse, Faculty, WVU Resource Economics. Chad Pierskalla, Faculty, WVU Recreation and Parks. Kyle Hartman, Faculty, WVU Fisheries. Jason Evans, Faculty, WVU Resource Economics. Steve Bolar, Superintendent, Pipestem Resort. John Howell, Research Associate, WVU Fisheries. Roy Ramthun, Faculty, Concord College. Charlie and Paul Hughes, Topwater Guide Service. Dan Miller, Research Associate, WVU Resource Economics. Rodney Kiser, Research Assistant, WVU Extension. George Cottle, Owner, Twin Fork Trout Farm. Paul Conley, Owner, Hemlock Trout Farm. Ed Wooten, Pipestem State Park Sales Representative. Jake Musick, Owner, Trout Lodge and Angler's Resort. TARGET AUDIENCES: Demonstrating methods and describing economic feasibility of an aquaponic high tunnel for year-round production of crops utilizing effluent from a trout raceway system will appeal to fish producers or individuals who have access to sources of spring water, and the horticulture market. Nutrient removal from trout raceway effluent will appeal to producers, regulators and the general public that is concerned with water quality. Improved feeding strategies will appeal to fish producers and aquaculture researchers. Protein and Lipid Recovery will appeal to Food Science researchers and processors. Developing fishing based travel packages will appeal to the tourism sector and the fish producers servicing the recreational market. Assessing the legal framework will appeal fish farmers, producer organizations, regulators, policy makers and researchers in Environmental Law. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Obj1. A flow through aquaponic system was covered with a high tunnel. Inflow nutrient content & water temperature were low (0.32 mg/L NH4, 0.29 mg/L NO3, 0.15 mg/L PO4, 4.7 mg/L TSS, 13 C) . Lettuce was planted into each cell of three speedling trays on 5 occasions during the summer and harvested after 37 days. Production averaged 127 g/sq m/day during the summer season. Obj2. A framework for stochastic analysis of the economics of the aquaponic high tunnel has been developed. Obj3. A used geotextile bag (GB) was opened and the solids removed. The cleaned and resealed GB was placed in service in tandem with a new bag. After 1 year in service materials used to reseal the opened seams are performing well. The reused bag was comparable to a new GB in all parameters tested (tot solids, TSS, particle size retention, BOD, soluble nutrients). A 12 week experiment evaluated batch vs successive cropping of lettuce in a flow through aquaponic system supplied with trout effluent. Production was higher in the batch culture but differences were not significant. A second 12 week spring experiment examined nutrient removal characteristics of Swiss chard, nasturtium, calendula, kohlrabi, lettuce and strawberry. Kohlrabi was most effective at removing nutrients with removal of 25% of NH3, 22% of the NO3 and 7 % of PO4. Nasturtium and Swiss chard were also effective at nutrient removal. Lettuce grew well but was removed few nutrients. Obj4. A feeding trial with rainbow trout where one treatment was fed to satiation and another was fed based on a schedule designed to provide enough nutrients to meet potential growth. After 384 days, feed conversion averaged 1.11 in the satiation treatment and 1.01 in the schedule treatment. This represents an improvement in feed efficiency of about 10%. Total production was similarly higher in the satiation treatment showing a trade-off between the two strategies. Obj5. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) did not enhance separation of trout muscle proteins during isoelectric solubilization/precipitation. The DAF unit could not separate proteins and produced excessive amounts of foam. Obj6. Persistence and availability of stocked trout to anglers in the Bluestone River, WV. Seasonally, 73-96% of fish remained within the study reach. Calculation of the 99% confidence intervals of individual fish locations shows that fish remain within 600 m below to 1200 m above the lodge facility at the park making all surviving fish available to anglers. Package anglers at Pipestem Resort caught 0.9 fish/hr and drop in anglers caught 1.7 fish/hr. Both groups reported acceptable catch rates when over 700 trout were stocked during the season at a cost of $3,000. In the first season, 39 packages were sold creating $23,790 in revenue. Obj7. There is a pattern among states where aquaculture industry is developing. The State Department of Agriculture plays a central leadership role. The regulatory structure is designed to respond to needs of the aquaculture entrepreneur. Information is readily available and easy to find. Advisory boards and similar groups provide a mechanism to advocate for aquaculture and engage with appropriate agencies.
Publications
- Semmens, K.J., T. Vowls, and C. Merriner, 2011. Feed Efficiency and Growth of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fed to Satiation and on a Schedule in a Serial Reuse, Spring Fed Flowing Water System. Abstract. Aquaculture America 2011, 2/28 to 3/3, New Orleans, LA.
- Pierskalla, C.D., Ramthun, R., and Semmens, K. Developing and Evaluating Trout Fishing Packages: The Case of the Bluestone Scenic River. Poster presented at the 16th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management. Corpus Christi, TX. June 6 - 10, 2010.
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Aquaculture Forum - Annual Meeting for WV Aquaculture Industry, Aquaculture Extension web site, (http://aquaculture.ext.wvu.edu/), quarterly Fishtales newsletter, Project web site (http://aquaculture.davis.wvu.edu/), site visits, consultation via telephone and email, operation of demonstration facilities at Dogwood Lake and Reymann Memorial Farm. Field Day at Reymann Memorial Farm, Animal Science Field Day - WVU Morgantown. Fishing Events: Fishing Rodeo at Springfest, Franklin, WV; Mountain State Craft Fair Fishing Event, Annual Aquaculture Product and Marketing Development Project Meeting, Presentations as guest lecturer in University classes. PARTICIPANTS: Ken Semmens, Faculty, WVU Extension Service. Jacek Jaczynski, Faculty, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Mathew Davenport, Faculty, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Sara Beamer, Research Assistant, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Todd West, Faculty, WVU Plant and Soil Sciences. Karen Buzby, Post Doc, WVU Engineering. Xinchao Wei, Faculty, WVU Civil and Environmental Engineering. Jerry Yates, Farm Manager, WVU Reymann Memorial Farm. Chestina Merriner, Research Assistant, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Tom Vowls, Trades Specialist, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Fonda Holehouse, Faculty, WVU Resource Economics. Chad Pierskalla, Faculty, WVU Recreation and Parks. Kyle Hartman, Faculty, WVU Fisheries. Jason Evans, Faculty, WVU Resource Economics. Steve Bolar, Superintendent, Pipestem Resort. John Howell, Research Associate, WVU Fisheries. Roy Ramthun, Faculty, Concord College. Charlie and Paul Hughes, Topwater Guide Service. Jerry Yates, Farm Manager, WVU Reymann Memorial Farm. Dan Miller, Research Associate, WVU Resource Economics. Rodney Kiser, Research Assistant, WVU Extension. George Cottle, Owner, Twin Fork Trout Farm. Paul Conley, Owner, Hemlock Trout Farm. Ed Wooten, Pipestem State Park Sales Representative. Jake Musick, Owner, Trout Lodge and Angler's Resort. TARGET AUDIENCES: Demonstrating methods and describing economic feasibility of an aquaponic high tunnel for year-round production of crops utilizing effluent from a trout raceway system will appeal to fish producers or individuals who have access to sources of spring water, and the horticulture market. Nutrient removal from trout raceway effluent will appeal to producers, regulators and the general public that is concerned with water quality. Improved feeding strategies will appeal to fish producers and aquaculture researchers. Protein and Lipid Recovery will appeal to Food Science researchers and processors. Developing fishing based travel packages will appeal to the tourism sector and the fish producers servicing the recreational market. Assessing the legal framework will appeal fish farmers, producer organizations, regulators, policy makers and researchers in Environmental Law. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: There will be some personnel changes in 2011. It is expected the work will be conducted as planned.
Impacts
Obj.1 Construction of a pilot scale aquaponic high tunnel was delayed by snow damage. It is now in place. There appears to be an increasing interest in aquaponics among prospective aquaculture producers. Obj2. A framework for stochastic analysis of the economics of the aquaponic high tunnel have been developed. Obj3. A 12 week spring experiment examined growth, production and nutrient removal characteristics of Swiss chard, nasturtium, calendula, kohlrabi, lettuce and strawberry. Kohlrabi was most effective at nutrient removal, followed by Swiss chard and nasturtium. Calendula and strawberry had low removal rates. A summer experiment with the same crops examined growth, production and nutrient removal during summer. Kohlrabi performed the best for total harvestable plant product as well as total biomass. Swiss chard harvestable weight was less than Kohlrabi but still higher than lettuce during the spring/summer experiment. This suggests that the environmental conditions are able to produce a reliable harvestable product of lettuce from spring to fall but there is variability in harvestable weights in other cool-season crops. A used geotextile bag was emptied, pressure washed, closed and placed back in service. Performance of the reused bag as compared with a new geotextile bag is ongoing. Obj4. feeding trial with rainbow trout where one treatment was fed to satiation and another was fed based on a schedule designed to provide enough nutrients to meet potential growth. After 384 days feed conversion averaged 1.11 in the satiation treatment and 1.01 in the schedule treatment. This represents an improvement in feed efficiency of about 10%. Total production was similarly higher in the satiation treatment showing a trade-off between the two strategies. Obj5. Protein recovery A simple protein skimmer was purchased and tested under various processing conditions. Although protein skimmer allowed protein recovery, the dewatering was poor. The recovered protein contained more than 93% of moisture depending on processing conditions. The insufficient dewatering was likely caused by low pressure in proteins skimmer. Obj 6. Persistence and availability of stocked trout to anglers in the Bluestone River, WV. Over the course of two fall and two spring seasons persistence of trout within the study area averaged 84%. Daily variability in persistence of surviving trout within the study area can be high, ranging from 45-100%. Calculation of the 99% confidence intervals of individual fish locations from fall 2008 through spring 2009 shows that fish remain within 600m below to 1200 m above the lodge facility at the park making all surviving fish available to anglers. Obj 7. Regulatory framework. There is a pattern among states where aquaculture industry is developing. The State Department of Agriculture plays a central leadership role. The regulatory structure is designed to respond to needs of the aquaculture entrepreneur. Information is readily available and easy to find. Advisory boards and similar groups provide a mechanism to advocate for aquaculture and engage with appropriate agencies. An Aquaculture Development Act was passed by the WV Legislature in 2010.
Publications
- Buzby, K.M., T. P. West, X. Wei, and K. Semmens, 2010. Nutrient Removal by Aquaponic Crops. Aquaculture 2010 Book of Abstracts, pg 157. World Aquaculture Society, 3/1-5, San Diego, CA.
- Buzby, K. M., T. West, X. Wei, and K. Semmens. 2010. Integration of Aquaponics into a Flow-through Fish Culture System Improves Water Quality. Abstract and Poster. American Fisheries Society 2010 Annual Meeting, 9/13-16, Pittsburgh PA.
- Palmatory, T.K., T.P. West, K.M. Buzby, X. Wei, and K. Semmens, 2010. Evaluation of Aquaponic Crop Production Utilizing Effluent from a Flow-through Aquaculture Raceway System. Aquaculture 2010 Book of Abstracts, pg 751. World Aquaculture Society, 3/1-5, San Diego, CA.
- Hartman, K., J.W. Howell and K.J. Semmens, 2010. Persistence of Rainbow Trout Stocked into the Bluestone River, West Virginia. Abstract. American Fisheries Society 2010 Annual Meeting, 9/13-16, Pittsburgh PA.
- Holehouse, F., K. Semmens and R. Benninger. 2009. Fishing for Solutions. Part 4. WV Farm Bureau News. V. 17, No. 11. p 16-19. November. WV Farm Bureau, Buckhannon, WV.
- Holehouse, F., K. Semmens and R. Benninger. 2009. Fishing for Solutions. Part 5. WV Farm Bureau News. V. 17, No. 12. p 12-14. December. WV Farm Bureau, Buckhannon, WV.
- Gravley, W., Dengler, J., Ramthun, R., and Pierskalla, C., 2009. Tourism package preferences of West Virginia state park visitors In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 95-100.
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Aquaculture Forum - Annual Meeting for WV Aquaculture Industry, Quarterly Aquaculture Extension web site, (http://aquaculture.ext.wvu.edu/) quarterly Fishtales newsletter, Project web Site(http://aquaculture.davis.wvu.edu/), Site Visits, Consultation via telephone and email, Operate demonstration facilities at Dogwood Lake and Reymann Memorial Farm. Field Day at Reymann Memorial Farm, Annual Aquaculture Product and Marketing Development Project Meeting, Presentations as guest lecturer in University classes. PARTICIPANTS: Ken Semmens, Faculty, WVU Extension Service. Jacek Jaczynski, Faculty, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Mathew Davenport, Faculty, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences, Sara Beamer, Research Assistant, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences, Todd West, Faculty, WVU Plant and Soil Sciences Karen Buzby, Post Doc, WVU Engineering Xinchao Wei, Faculty, WVU Civil and Environmental Engineering Jerry Yates, Farm Manager, WVU Reymann Memorial Farm Chestina Merriner, Research Assistant, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Tom Vowls, Trades Specialist, WVU Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Fonda Holehouse, Faculty, WVU Resource Economics Chad Pierskalla, Faculty, WVU Recreation and Parks Kyle Hartman, Faculty, WVU Fisheries Jason Evans, Faculty, WVU Resource Economics Steve Bolar, Superintendent, Pipestem Resort John Howell, Research Associate, WVU Fisheries Roy Ramthun, Faculty, Concord College Charlie and Paul Hughes, Topwater Guide Service Jerry Yates, Farm Manager, WVU Reymann Memorial Farm Dan Miller, Research Associate, WVU Resource Economics Rodney Kiser, Research Assistant, WVU Extension George Cottle, Owner, Twin Fork Trout Farm Paul Conley, Owner, Hemlock Trout Farm Ed Wooten, Pipestem State Park Sales Representative Jake Musick, Owner, Trout Lodge and Angler's Resort TARGET AUDIENCES: Demonstrating methods and describing economic feasibility of an aquaponic high tunnel for year-round production of crops utilizing effluent from a trout raceway system will appeal to fish producers or individuals who have access to sources of spring water, and the horticulture market.Nutrient removal from trout raceway effluent will appeal to producers, regulators and the general public that is concerned with water quality. Improved feeding strategies will appeal to fish producers and aquaculture researchers. Protein and Lipid Recovery will appeal to Food Science researchers and processors. Developing fishing based travel packages will appeal to the tourism sector and the fish producers servicing the recreational market. Assessing the legal framework will appeal fish farmers, producer organizations, regulators, policy makers and researchers in Environmental Law. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Obj.1 A pilot scale aquaponic high tunnel is presently under construction. Obj2. A framework for stochastic analysis of the economics of the aquaponic high tunnel have been developed. Obj3. A 12 week spring experiment examined growth, production and nutrient removal characteristics of Swiss chard, nasturtium, calendula, kohlrabi, lettuce and strawberry. Kohlrabi was most effective at nutrient removal. Also effective at removing nutrients were Swiss chard and nasturtium. Calendula and strawberry had low removal rates. A summer experiment with the same crops was initiated to examine growth, production and nutrient removal during summer. Kohlrabi performed the best for total harvestable plant product as well as total biomass. Swiss chard harvestable weight was less than Kohlrabi but still higher than lettuce during the spring/summer experiment. This data suggests that the environmental conditions are able to produce a reliable harvestable product of lettuce from spring to fall but there is variability in harvestable weights in other cool-season crops. Obj4. An ongoing feeding trial with rainbow trout where one treatment is fed to satiation and another treatment is fed based on a feeding schedule designed to provide enough nutrients to meet potential growth. After 384 days feed conversion averaged 1.11 in the satiation treatment and 1.01 in the treatment using a feeding schedule. This represents an improvement in feed efficiency of about 10%. Total production was similarly higher in the satiation treatment showing a trade-off between the two strategies. Obj5. Protein recovery A simple protein skimmer was purchased and tested under various processing conditions. Although protein skimmer allowed protein recovery, the dewatering was poor. The recovered protein contained more than 93% of moisture depending on processing conditions. The insufficient dewatering was likely caused by low pressure in proteins skimmer. Obj 6. Persistence and availability of stocked trout to anglers in the Bluestone River, WV. Over the course of two fall and two spring seasons persistence of trout within the study area averaged 84%. Daily variability in persistence of surviving trout within the study area can be high, ranging from 45-100%. Calculation of the 99% confidence intervals of individual fish locations from fall 2008 through spring 2009 shows that fish remain within 600m below to 1200 m above the lodge facility at the park making all surviving fish available to anglers. Obj 7. Regulatory framework. There is a pattern among states where aquaculture industry is developing. The State Department of Agriculture plays a central leadership role. The regulatory structure is designed to respond to needs of the aquaculture entrepreneur. Information is readily available and easy to find. Advisory boards and similar groups provide a mechanism to advocate for aquaculture and engage with appropriate agencies. An Aquaculture Development Act has been drafted for WV and presented to executive and legislative leaders for their consideration.
Publications
- Holehouse, F., K. Semmens and R. Benninger. 2009. Fishing for Solutions. Part 3. WV Farm Bureau News. V. 17, No. 11. p 16-19. November. WV Farm Bureau, Buckhannon, WV. (G11)
- Taskaya L, Jaczynski J. 2009. Flocculation-enhanced protein recovery from fish processing by-products by isoelectric solubilization / precipitation. LWT - Food Science and Technology 42(2):570-575.
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