Progress 08/01/10 to 07/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The USDA-NIFA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) is a funding activity focused on identifying and solving problems in southern aquaculture. The ultimate audience for products developed through these funded projects include infrastructure personnel (farmers, processors, feed manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, harvesters, etc.) and consumers. The research funded through this project is made available to the research community through SRAC Annual Progress Reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and presentations at professional society meetings. Audiences for SRAC factsheets, videos, and other publications include Extension Specialists and agents, educators, regulatory agencies, and potential investors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?SRAC does not fund training and professional development directly. The individual project participants may receive training and professional development opportunities as part of the individual funded project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Detailed summaries of outputs from research and extension activities and administrative support activities are presented in the SRAC 27th Annual Progress Report available from the SRAC website at http://srac.msstate.edu/annualprogressreports.html. These projects resulted in 31 oral presentations, 6 poster presentations, 22 Extension publications, 9 journal articles, 4 digital products, and has supported 4 students. Scientific publications and additional journal articles resulting from research and extension projects are reported by each participating institution. Publication and journal article lists can be found on the SRAC website. Fact sheets and videos are requested and used by RACs and extension personnel in other regions. In addition to direct requests for printed material, fact sheets and other informational materials are accessed daily from the SRAC website by people searching for technical information. In the period from September 2013 through August 2014, 148,493 visitors came to the SRAC Publications website and accessed publications 498,415 times. These visitors came from 168 countries/territories. Since the fact sheets are also accessible through numerous other university research and extension websites, the total usage and impact is undoubtedly several times greater. SRAC videos from several sources were viewed on YouTube 330,211 times during the reporting period. The AQUAPLANT website from September 2013 through August 2014 had 285,122 visitors that accessed 1,224,410 pages. These visitors came from 209 countries/territories. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two distinct types of projects are funded by SRAC: research and extension projects and development of educational materials. Research and extension projects funded by SRAC address practical problems faced by southern aquaculturists and are important because aquaculture, unlike other agricultural commodities, receives very little private-sector support for research and development, relying instead almost entirely on public-sector funds for technology development. The Regional Aquaculture Center program is the only funding activity with the flexibility to stay abreast of industry development, identify problems on a region-wide scale, and implement cooperative, interstate projects to solve those problems. Specific research and extension activities funded under this project during the reporting period were: 1. Publications, Videos and Computer Software, 2. Development and Evaluation of Cool Water Crawfish Baits, 3. Using National Retail Databases to Determine Market Trends for Southern Aquaculture Products, 4. Potential Marketing Structures for the Catfish Industry, 5. Reproduction and Larval Rearing of Freshwater Ornamental and Marine Baitfish, 6. Improving Catfish Broodstock Management by Manipulating Diet, Stocking Densities and Sex Ratios, 7. Improving Reproductive Efficiency of Cultured Finfish, 8. Evaluation of Impacts of Potential "Cap and Trade" Carbon Emission Policies on Catfish, Baitfish, and Crawfish Farming, 9. Identifying Determinants for Development of Live-Market Grading Standards for Crawfish, 10. Effects of Mosquito Abatement Pesticides on Various Life Stages of Commercially Important Shellfish Aquaculture Species in the South, 11. Development of Baitfish, Goldfish, and Ornamental Fish Hatchery Methods, 12. Split-Pond Aquaculture Systems: Design Refinements for Catfish Production and Evaluation for Culturing Other Species, 13. Identification and Removal of Adhesive Proteins from Goldfish and Baitfish Eggs and Egg Masses, 14. Improvement of Blue Catfish Germplasm for Hybrid Catfish Production, 15. Studies to Improve the Control of Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila and Evaluate the Impact of Environmental Factors on its Abundance in Catfish Aquaculture, 16. Implementation of Collective Action Alternatives Identified for the U.S. Catfish Industry, 17. Management of Hybrid Catfish Foodfish Production, 18. Evaluation of Prebiotic and Probiotics in Intensive Production Systems, 19. Control of Digenetic Trematodes Associated with Economic Losses in Aquaculture, 20. Improved Reproduction in Foodfish (Catfish and Largemouth Bass), Baitfish, and Ornamentals Using a New Spawning Aid (GnRH IIa), 21. Predation Risk and Economic Impact of Lesser Scaup and Pisciviorous Waterbirds on Commercial Baitfish and Catfish Production. Outcomes and impacts of each research and extension activity funded by SRAC are described in the SRAC 27th Annual Progress Report available at http://srac.msstate.edu/annualprogressreports.html. The Publications project is a highly productive project with significant regional, national, and international impact. Publications and videos produced by SRAC are increasingly used in educating high school and college students about aquaculture. In recent years there has been a rapid expansion of aquaculture curricula in high schools. These programs heavily utilize our publications and videos for educational purposes but usage is impossible to measure because many people access the information from Internet sites. Aquaculture and fisheries courses taught at many colleges and universities also use SRAC technical factsheets as part of their course reference material. Another important impact is the education of local, state, and federal regulators about the aquaculture industry. This impact is difficult to measure but feedback from personnel in two states indicates that the fact sheets are recommended reading to all new employees dealing with aquaculture water quality, exotic species, and other permitting duties. This should be a positive influence toward making aquaculturists better understood and the development of more enlightened regulations. The impact on consumers of aquaculture products is also likely significant, although it has not been quantified. Consumers are primarily interested in wholesome, safe, and inexpensive product, and it has been reported that the consumer oriented fact sheets and videos developed within SRAC have generated more interest that the producer-directed materials. The fact sheets are in demand in both the English and Spanish versions and, as more information becomes available, extension materials on food safety will be in increased demand by health conscious consumers.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
SRAC 27th Annual Progress Report for the period through August 31, 2014.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
SRAC Website (http://www.srac.msstate.edu/)
|
Progress 08/01/13 to 07/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) is a funding activity focused on identifying and solving problems in southern aquaculture. The ultimate audience for products developed through these funded projects includes infrastructure personnel (farmers, processors, feed manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, harvesters, etc.) and consumers. The research funded through this project is made available to the research and Extension community through the SRAC Annual Reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and presentations at professional society meetings. Audiences for SRAC fact sheets, videos, and other publications include Extension Specialists, educators, regulatory agencies, and potential investors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? SRAC does not fund training and professional development directly. The individual project participants may receive training and professional development opportunities as part of the individual funded project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Detailed summaries of outputs from research and extension activities and administrative support activities are presented in the SRAC 26th Annual Progress Report available from the SRAC website as http://srac.msstate.edu/. These projects resulted in 26 oral presentations, 3 poster presentations, 13 Extension publications, 5 journal articles, 6 digital products, and has supported 11 students. Scientific publications and additional journal articles resulting from research and extension projects are reported by each participating institution. Publication and journal article lists can be found on the SRAC website. Fact sheets and videos are requested and used by RACs and extension personnel in other regions. In addition to direct request for printed material, fact sheets and other informational materials are accessed daily from the SRAC website by people searching for technical information. In the period from September 2012 through August 2013, 26,021 visitors with 18,089 unique visitors came to the SRAC Publications website and accessed 106,042 pages. These visitors came from 164 countries/territories. Since the fact sheets are also accessible through numerous other university research and extension websites, the total usage and impact is undoubtedly several times greater. The AQUAPLANT website from September 2012 through August 2013 had 300,763 visitors with 248,756 unique visitors that accessed 1,035,786 pages. These visitors came from 191countries/territories. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, there will be a joint meeting of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) and Technical Committee to prioritize research and extension needs. The IAC will initiate the project development process by identifying critical problems facing aquaculture in the region. The TC and IAC will then jointly prioritize problem areas and recommend the most important research and extension needs to the Board of Directors. Once an area of work has been approved, the Executive Committee will appoint a Project Writing Team to develop a Request for Pre-Proposals. Proposals will then be reviewed by a Proposal Review Team and one proposal will be selected for funding. After each proposal has been selected for funding, the SRAC Director will convene a meeting of the Project Work Group, which consists of individuals collaborating in the selected pre-proposal and members of the Project Writing Team. The Project Work Group will prepare the project proposal, which will be reviewed by the IAC, TC, all project participants and designated peer reviewers from within the region and from outside the region. The SRAC Director will submit the project proposal and peer reviews to the Board of Directors for review and approval. The Director will prepare an annual plan of work, including all project proposals approved by the Board, and submit the plan to NIFA for approval. Pending a successful review of the project plan and budget, NIFA will notify SRAC of final approval. Letters of Agreement (subcontracts) between SRAC and participating institutions will then be prepared and forwarded for approval and execution by the authorized institutional official. Additional plans include: Prepare budgets for the Administrative Center, track administrative expenditures and obtain USDA/NIFRA approval for project and budget revisions. Prepare budget reports for the Board of Directors, tracking expenditures and status of funded projects and the Administrative Center. Assist with preparation and revision of proposals for technical and scientific merit, feasibility and applicability to priority problem areas. Solicit and coordinate national reviews of project proposals. Distribute fact sheets to research and extension contacts throughout the Southern Region, other RACs, and USDA personnel. Produce and distribute the SRAC Annual Progress Report, which includes editing and proofreading the project reports. Produce and maintain the website for SRAC which provides downloadable copies of all SRAC fact sheets, the Operations Manual and Annual Reports, as well as lists of other research publications and extension contacts in the Southern Region. Prepare and distribute Requests for Pre-proposals to research and extension directors and other interested parties throughout the Southern Region. Respond to requests from aquaculture producers, the public, and research and extension personnel for copies of fact sheets, research publications and videos produced by SRAC and the other Centers, as well as request for general aquaculture related information. Serve as fiscal agent to review and approve invoices and distribute funds to participating institutions as approved under the grants and as set forth in the Letters of Agreement. The next Publication project year is still in development and specific publications have not been established. The SRAC Publication Steering Committee will meet to develop next year’s project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two distinct types of projects are funded by SRAC: research and extension projects and development of educational materials. Research and extension projects funded by SRAC address practical problems faced by southern aquaculturists and are important because aquaculture, unlike other agricultural commodities, receives very little private-sector support for research and development, relying instead almost entirely on public-sector funds for technology development. The Regional Aquaculture Center program is the only funding activity with the flexibility to stay abreast of industry development, identify problems on a region-wide scale, and implement cooperative, interstate projects to solve those problems. Specific research and extension activities funded under this project during the reporting period were: 1) Publications, Videos, and Computer Software Project, 2) Reproduction and Larval Rearing of Freshwater Ornamental and Marine Baitfish, 3) Using National Retail Databases to Determine Market Trends for Southern Aquaculture Products, 4) Performance Evaluation of Intensive, Pond-based Culture Systems for Catfish Production, 5) Development and Evaluation of Cool-water Crawfish Baits, 6) Improving Catfish Broodstock Management by Manipulating Diet, Stocking Densities and Sex Ratios, 7) Split-Pond Aquaculture Systems: Design Refinements for Catfish Production and Evaluation for Culturing Other Species, 8) Identification and Removal of Adhesive Proteins from Goldfish and Baitfish Eggs and Egg Masses, 9) Improvement of Blue Catfish Germplasm for Hybrid Catfish Production, 10) Studies to Improve the Control of Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila and Evaluate the Impact of Environmental Factors on its Abundance in Catfish Aquaculture, 11) Implementation of Collective Action Alternatives Identified for the U.S. Catfish Industry, 12) Management of Hybrid Catfish Foodfish Production, 13) Evaluation of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Intensive Production Systems, 14) Control of Digenetic Trematodes Associated with Economic Losses in Aquaculture. The Publications project is a highly productive project with significant regional, national, and international impact. Publications and videos produced by SRAC are increasingly used in educating high school and college students about aquaculture. In recent years there has been a rapid expansion of aquaculture curricula in high schools. These programs heavily utilize our publications and videos for educational purposes but usage is impossible to measure because many people access the information from Internet sites. Aquaculture and fisheries courses taught at many colleges and universities also use SRAC technical fact sheets as part of their course reference material. Another important impact is the education of local, state, and federal regulators about the aquaculture industry. This impact is difficult to measure but feedback from personnel in two states indicates that the fact sheets are recommended reading to all new employees dealing with aquaculture water quality, exotic species, and other permitting duties. This should be a positive influence towed making aquaculturists better understood and the development of more enlightened regulations. The impact on consumers of aquaculture products is also likely significant, although it has not been quantified. Consumers are primarily interested in wholesome, safe, and inexpensive product, and it has been reported that the soncumer0oriented fact sheets and videos developed within SRAC have generated more interest that the producer-directed materials. The fact sheets are in demand in both the English and Spanish versions and, as more information becomes available, extension materials on food safety will be in increased demand by health conscious consumers.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
SRAC 26th Annual Progress Report for the period through August 31, 2013.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
SRAC Website (http://www.srac.msstate.edu/index.html)
|
Progress 08/01/12 to 07/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) is a funding activity focused on identifying and solving problems in southern aquaculture. The ultimate audience for products developed through these funded projects include infrastructure personnel (farmers, processors, feed manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, harvesters, etc.) and consumers. The research funded through this project is made available to the research community through the SRAC Annual Reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and presentations at professional society meetings. Audiences for SRAC fact sheets, videos, and other publications include Extension Specialist, educators, regulatory agencies, and potential investors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? SRAC does not fund training and professional development directly. The individual project participants may recieve training and professional development opportunities as part of the individual funded project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Detailed summaries of outputs from research and extension activities and administrative support activities are presented in the SRAC 25th Annual Progress Report available from the SRAC website at http://srac.msstate.edu/. Scientific publications and additional journal articles resulting from research and extension projects are reported by each participating institution. Publication and journal article lists can be found on the SRAC website. Fact sheets and videos are requested and used by clientele in all 50 states on a regular basis. Fact sheets generated within the Southern Region are also widely distributed by RACs and extension personnel in other regions. In addition to direct requests for printed material, fact sheets and other informational materials are accessed daily from the SRAC web site by people searching for technical information. In the period from September 2011 through August 2012, 23,934 visitors with 16,648 unique visitors came to the SRAC Publications web site and accessed 108,418 pages.These visitors came from 160 countries/territories. Since the fact sheets are also accessible through numerous other university research and extension web sites, the total usage and impact is undoubtedly several times greater. The AQUAPLANT web site from September 2011 through August 2012 had 250,494 visitors with 206,735 unique visitors that accessed 934,362 pages. These visitors came from 191 countries/territories. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, there will be a joint meeting of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) and Technical Committee to prioritize research and extension needs.The IAC will initiate the project development process by identifying critical problems facing aquaculture in the region. The TC and IAC will then jointly prioritize problem areas and recommend the most important research and extension needs to the Board of Directors. Once an area of work has been approved, the Executive Committee will appoint a Project Writing Team to develop a Request for Pre Proposals. Proposals will then be reviewed by a Proposal Review Team and one proposal will be selected for funding. Aftereach pre proposal has been selected for funding, the SRAC Director will convene a meeting of the Project Work Group, which consists of individuals collaborating in the selected pre proposal and members of the Project Writing Team. The Project Work Group will prepare the project proposal, which will be reviewed by the IAC, TC, all project participants and designated peer reviewers from within the region and from outside the region. The SRAC Director will submit the project proposal and peer reviews to the Board of Directors for review and approval. The Director will prepare an annual plan of work, including all project proposals approved by the Board, and submit the plan to NIFA for approval. Pending a successful review of the project plan and budget, NIFA will notify SRAC of final approval. Letters of Agreement (subcontracts) between SRAC and participating institutions willthen be prepared and forwarded for approval and execution by the authorized institutional official. Additionalplansinclude: 1. Prepare budgets for the Administrative Center, track administrative expenditures, and obtain USDA/NIFA approval for project and budget revisions. 2.Prepare budget reports for the Board of Directors, tracking expenditures and status of funded projects and the Administrative Center. 3. Assist with preparation and revision of proposals for technical and scientific merit, feasibility and applicability to priority problem areas. 4. Solicit and coordinate national reviews of project proposals. 4. Distribute fact sheets to research and extension contacts throughout the Southern Region, other RACs, and USDA personnel. 5. Produce and distribute the SRAC Annual Progress Report, which includes editing and proofreading the project reports. 6. Produce and maintain the web site for SRAC which provides downloadable copies of all SRAC fact sheets, the Operations Manual and Annual Reports, as well as lists of other research publications and extension contacts in the Southern Region. 7. Prepare and distribute Requests for Pre proposals to research and extension directors and other interested parties throughout the Southern Region. 8. Respond to requests from aquaculture producers, the public, and research and extension personnel for copies of fact sheets, research publications and videos produced by SRAC and the other Centers, as well as requests for general aquaculture related information. 9. Serve as fiscal agent to review and approve invoices and distribute funds to participating institutions as approved under the grants and as set forth in the Letters of Agreement. 10. The next Publication project year is still in development and specific publications have not been established. The SRAC Publications Steering Committee will meet to develop next year’s project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two distinct types of projects are funded by SRAC: research projects and development of educational materials. Research projects funded by SRAC address practical problems faced by southern aquaculturists. Research projects funded by SRAC are important because aquaculture, unlike other agricultural commodities, receives very little private-sector support for research and development, relying instead almost entirely on public-sector funds for technology development. The Regional Aquaculture Center program is the only funding activity with the flexibility to stay abreast of industry development, identify problems on a region-wide scale, and implement cooperative, interstate projects to solve those problems. Specific research and extension activities funded under this projectduring the reporting periodwere:1) Publications, Videos and Computer Software Project, 2) Development and Evaluation of Cool Water Crawfish Baits, 3) Using National Retail Databases to Determine Market Trends for Southern Aquaculture Products, 4) Potential Marketing Structures for the Catfish Industry, 5) Reproduction and Larval Rearing of Freshwater Ornamental and Marine Baitfish, 6) Improving Catfish Broodstock Management by Manipulating Diet, Stocking Densities and Sex Ratios, 7) Improving Reproductive Efficiencey of Cultured Finfish, 8) Evaluation of Impacts of Potential "Cap and Trade" Carbon Emission Policies on Catfish, Baitfish, and Crawfish Farming, 9) Identifying Determinants for Development of Live-Market Grading Standards for Crawfish, 10) Effects of Mosquito Abatement Pesticides on Various Life Stages of Commercially Important Shellfish Aquaculture Sepcies in the South, and 11) Development of Baitfish, Goldfish, and Ornamental Fish Hatchery Methods. Outcomes and impacts of each research and extension activity funded by SRAC are described in the SRAC 25th Annual Progress Reports available at http://srac.msstate.edu/. The Publications project is a highly productive project with significant regional, national, and international impact. Publications and videos produced by SRAC are increasingly used in educating high school and college students about aquaculture. In recent years there has been a rapid expansion of aquaculture curricula in high schools. These programs heavily utilize our publications and videos for educational purposes but usage is impossible to measure because many people access the information from Internet sites. Aquaculture and fisheries courses taught at many colleges and universities also use SRAC technical fact sheets as part of their course reference material. Another important impact is the education of local, state, and federal regulators about the aquaculture industry. This impact is difficult to measure but feedback from personnel in two states indicates that the fact sheets are recommended reading for all new employees dealing with aquaculture water quality, exotic species, and other permitting duties. This should be a positive influence toward making aquaculturists better understood and the development of more enlightened regulations. The impact on consumers of aquaculture products is also likely significant, although it has not been quantified. Consumers are primarily interested in a wholesome, safe, and inexpensive product, and it has been reported that the consumer-oriented fact sheets and videos developed within SRAC have generated more interest than the producer-directed materials. The fact sheets are in demand in both the English and Spanish versions and, as more information becomes available, extension materials on food safety will be in increased demand by health conscious consumers.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
SRAC 25th Annual Progress Report for the period through August 31, 2012.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
SRAC Website(http://www.srac.msstate.edu//)
|
Progress 08/01/11 to 07/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project provides funding and administrative support for cooperative, multistate research and extension activities addressing problems in commercial aquaculture in the southeastern United States. Projects are based on industry needs as identified by committees of scientists and industry representatives from each state and territory in the region. Specific research and extension activities funded to date under this project are: 1) Publications, Videos, and Computer Software 2) Development and Evaluation of Cool Water Crawfish Baits 3) Using National Retail Databases to Determine Market Trends for Southern Aquaculture Products 4) Potential Marketing Structures for the Catfish Industry 5) Reproduction and Larval Rearing of Freshwater Ornamental and Marine Baitfish 6) Improving Catfish Broodstock Management by Manipulating Diet, Stocking Densities and Sex Ratios Outputs from research and extension activities include conducting research; transfer of information derived from research via publications, symposia and field days; and dissemination of technical information in print, electronic, and web-based publications and video products. Administrative support includes solicitation, review and selection of proposals; preparation of Annual Plan of Work; monitoring project status and progress; tracking budget expenditures; reviewing progress reports; and coordinating SRAC activities with other Regional Aquaculture Centers via the National Coordinating Council. Detailed summaries of outputs from research and extension activities and administrative support activities are presented in the SRAC Annual Progress Reports available by mail from the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, P.O. Box 197, Stoneville, MS, 38776 or from the SRAC website at http://srac.msstate.edu/ PARTICIPANTS: 1) Publications, Videos and Computer Software Project: Texas A&M University serves as Lead Institution with Dr. Michael Masser as Project Leader. Participants include authors and co-authors from all states in the region. 2) Development and Evaluation of Cool Water Crawfish Baits. Project Leader-LSU-Ray McClain, Robert Romaire, Gregory Lutz; TAMU-Delbert Gatlin; AU-Allen Davis. 3) Using National Retail Databases to Determine Market Trends for Southern Aquaculture Products. Project Leader-MSU-Jimmy Avery; UAPB-Madan Dey, Carole Engle; Texas Tech-Benaissa Chidmi; Auburn-Terry Hanson; UFL-Sherry Larkin, Charles Adams. 4) Potential Marketing Structures for the Catfish Industry. Project Leader-UAPB-Carole Engle, Madan Dey; AU-Terry Hanson; KSU-Sid Dasgupta; UC-Davis-Richard Sexton; Un.of MO-Michael Cook. 5) Reproduction and Larval Rearing of Freshwater Ornamental and Marine Baitfish. Project Leader-UFL-Cortney Ohs, Craig Watson; LSU-Chris Green, Ronald Malone; MSU-Louis D'Abramo. 6) Improving Catfish Broodstock Management by Manipulating Diet, Stocking Densities and Sex Ratios. Project Leader-UAPB-Rebecca Lochmann, Carole Engle, alf Haukenes; TAMU-Alejandro Buentello, Delbert Gatlin; USDA-ARS-Brian Bosworth, Sylvie Quiniou, Geoff Waldbieser. TARGET AUDIENCES: The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) is a funding activity focused on identifying and solving problems in southern aquaculture. Projects developed and funded by SRAC are based on industry needs and are designed to directly impact commercial aquaculture development. Two distinct types of projects are funded by SRAC: research projects and development of educational material Research projects funded by SRAC address practical problems faced by southern aquaculturists. Research projects funded by SRAC are important because aquaculture, unlike other agricultural commodities, receives very little private-sector support for research and development, relying instead almost entirely on public-sector funds for technology development. The Regional Aquaculture Center program is the only funding activity with the flexibility to stay abreast of industry development, identify problems on a region-wide scale, and implement cooperative, interstate projects to solve those problems. Research priorities are identified by aquaculture industry representatives, and SRAC research projects directly benefit farmers, processors, feed-mills, and other industries that support aquaculture. SRAC is also committed to publishing high-quality educational materials to support regional aquaculture. The SRAC publication project uses a region-wide pool of experts to develop materials for distribution through the nationwide network of educators, Extension Specialists, and County Agents and the World Wide Web. This process makes efficient use of personnel and funds at the State level, and results in timely, high-quality educational materials. The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center has now published more than 200 technical publications and 20 DVDs. These publications provide essential information for aquaculture producers, lending agencies, and consumers of aquaculture products. Educators in high schools and colleges use SRAC publications in classrooms throughout the United States and the world. In the period from September 2010 through August 2011, 29,717 visitors with 25,918 unique visitors came to the SRAC web site and accessed 107,786 pages. These visitors came 161 countries/territories. Since the fact sheets are also accessible through numerous other university research and extension web sites, the total usage and impact is undoubtedly several times greater. The AQUAPLANT web site from September 2010 through August 2011 had 259,044 unique visitors that accessed 1,229,385 pages. These visitors came 190 countries/territories. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Projects supported by SRAC address practical industry needs and have a long record of contributions to southern aquaculture. Research and extension activities address specific technical issues; outcomes include addition to knowledge, the application of which results in improved aquaculture production. Outcomes and impacts of each research and extension activity funded by SRAC are described in the SRAC Annual Progress Reports available at http://srac.msstate.edu/
Publications
- SRAC Annual Progress Report. 2011. Publications from activities funded under this grant are reported under CRIS projects of participating institutions and in SRAC Annual Progress Reports submitted to NIFA and available at http://srac.msstate.edu/
|
Progress 08/01/10 to 07/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project provides funding and administrative support for cooperative, multistate research and extension activities addressing problems in commercial aquaculture in the southeastern United States. Projects are based on industry needs as identified by committees of scientists and industry representatives from each state and territory in the region. Specific research and extension activities funded to date under this project are: 1) Publications, Videos, and Computer Software Outputs from research and extension activities include conducting research; transfer of information derived from research via publications, symposia and field days; and dissemination of technical information in print, electronic, and web-based publications and video products. Administrative support includes solicitation, review and selection of proposals; preparation of Annual Plan of Work; monitoring project status and progress; tracking budget expenditures; reviewing progress reports; and coordinating SRAC activities with other Regional Aquaculture Centers via the National Coordinating Council. Detailed summaries of outputs from research and extension activities and administrative support activities are presented in the SRAC Annual Progress Reports available by mail from the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, P.O. Box 197, Stoneville, MS, 38776 or from the SRAC website at http://srac.msstate.edu/ PARTICIPANTS: 1. Publications, Videos and Computer Software Project: Texas A&M University serves as Lead Institution with Dr. Michael Masser as Project Leader. Participants include authors and co-authors from all states in the region. TARGET AUDIENCES: The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) is a funding activity focused on identifying and solving problems in southern aquaculture. Projects developed and funded by SRAC are based on industry needs and are designed to directly impact commercial aquaculture development. Two distinct types of projects are funded by SRAC: research projects and development of educational material Research projects funded by SRAC address practical problems faced by southern aquaculturists. Research projects funded by SRAC are important because aquaculture, unlike other agricultural commodities, receives very little private-sector support for research and development, relying instead almost entirely on public-sector funds for technology development. The Regional Aquaculture Center program is the only funding activity with the flexibility to stay abreast of industry development, identify problems on a region-wide scale, and implement cooperative, interstate projects to solve those problems. Research priorities are identified by aquaculture industry representatives, and SRAC research projects directly benefit farmers, processors, feed-mills, and other industries that support aquaculture. SRAC is also committed to publishing high-quality educational materials to support regional aquaculture. The SRAC publication project uses a region-wide pool of experts to develop materials for distribution through the nationwide network of educators, Extension Specialists, and County Agents and the World Wide Web. This process makes efficient use of personnel and funds at the State level, and results in timely, high-quality educational materials. The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center has now published more than 200 technical publications and 20 DVDs. These publications provide essential information for aquaculture producers, lending agencies, and consumers of aquaculture products. Educators in high schools and colleges use SRAC publications in classrooms throughout the United States and the world. In the period from September 2009 through August 2010, 35,788 visitors with 25,337 unique visitors came to the SRAC web site and accessed 139,695 pages. These visitors came 97 countries/territories. Since the fact sheets are also accessible through numerous other university research and extension web sites, the total usage and impact is undoubtedly several times greater. The AQUAPLANT web site from September 2009 through August 2010 had 244,764 unique visitors that accessed 1,208,211 pages. These visitors came 136 countries/territories. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Projects supported by SRAC address practical industry needs and have a long record of contributions to southern aquaculture. Research and extension activities address specific technical issues; outcomes include addition to knowledge, the application of which results in improved aquaculture production. Outcomes and impacts of each research and extension activity funded by SRAC are described in the SRAC Annual Progress Reports available at http://srac.msstate.edu/
Publications
- SRAC Annual Progress Report. 2010. Publications from activities funded under this grant are reported under CRIS projects of participating institutions and in SRAC Annual Progress Reports submitted to NIFA and available at http://srac.msstate.edu/
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