Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The studies undertaken are of interest to members of the scientific community researching the biology and aquaculture of the sea urchins, Porphyra, finfish and oysters under study. It also includes current and potential aquaculture growers interested in diversifying their operations and adopting environmentally sustainable methods, particularly those who wish to integrate one or more species into an integrated system of multiple species. The information will also be relevant to state and federal government agencies responsible for managing fisheries and aquaculture within the coastal zone in the New England Region. Of additional focus will be scientists, aquaculturists and government agencies dealing with invasive species as the incorporation of the vase tunicate and the European oyster represent new species to exploit that were formally considered pest species to remove or manage. Changes/Problems: Results showed that co-culture of sea urchins and American oysters were incompatible, while sea urchins and European oysters were compatible. Ciona intestinalis has been a major pest in aquaculture facilities by competing with bivalves and fouling nets and lines, but now should be considered a species to exploit as a value added species. Addition of red worms and vase tunicates as animal feeds are new directions and exploring hydroponic systems for both waste removal and cultivation of high value plant species is a new direction. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two graduate students, Megan Glenn (advisor: Grizzle) and Katie Hladki (advisor: Neefus), one undergraduate, Eryn Murphy, and Krystin Ward (senior technician in Grizzle's lab) participated in conducting the experiments and processing data. Participants: Two graduate students (Calvin Diessner and Linas Kenter), 6 undergraduates (Sean Armstrong, Aurora Burgess, Evan Clough, Nick Marshall, Ian Stelzner, Anthony Ungarelli) one post graduate researcher (Mathew DiMaggio) and one technician (Heidi Colburn) participated in conducting the experiments and processing data. Three graduate students, Seth Goodnight, Sara Edquist and Anna Chase, worked with Harris on aspects of the studies of sea urchin and European oyster aquaculture and the incorporation of the vase tunicate into the integrated system. Nine undergraduates, Daniel Tauriello, Britton Beal, Dulaney Miller, Michael Quinlan, Mary Orfutt, Eryn Murphy, Nathan Battey, John Heavisides and Eric Samuel worked directly on aspects of sea urchin and oyster culture systems and six other undergraduates participated in aspects of the laboratory studies. The seaweed portion of the project has been the research focus of one graduate student, Lindsay Green, who completed her PhD in May 2014. The integration of sea vegetable and shellfish production is the focus of one of our current PhD students, Katy Hladki's, who is looking at nutrient dynamics in the co-culture of oysters and a Gracilaria tikvahiae, a red seaweed native to our region. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results have been disseminated through journal articles, presentations at regional (Northeast Algal Symposium, Northwest Algal Symposium), national (Joint Aquatic Science Conference) and international scientific meetings (International Seaweed Symposium), conferences for current and potential growers (Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition, Seaweed Scene). We have also published a manual and video for nursery production of native sea vegetables as well as publications on oysters, invasive species and incorporation of hydroponics in combination with fish culture. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The role of aquaculture in the global and regional production of seafood continues to grow, as does the search for new species to add to the mix of cultured species. A second growing trend is the integration of multiple species into both field and land-based culture systems. This increased interest in Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) provided the focus for studies to investigate integrating the culture of finfish, oysters, sea urchins and seaweeds in various combinations with the goals of: (1) increasing the economic potential of an aquaculture enterprise and (2) to determine the potential environmental advantages of reducing waste production through combining species. A series studies were conducted testing various combinations of species that might be integrated into aquaculture systems in the New England Region. Among the results from these studies is the benefit of combining eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) with various seaweeds. A field study demonstrated that combining cultivation of the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) with the European oyster (Ostrea edulis) in coastal environments has significant potential. Studies of nitrogen production by eastern oysters and hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) and black sea bass (Centropristis striata) were conducted and an aquaponic study was conducted in which brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) were co-cultured with lettuce and redworms (Eisenia fetida). A primary focus of the seaweed portion of the Hatch project has been to develop and optimize techniques for the nursery production of several native species of seaweed including Porphyra umbilicalis, Pyropia leucosticta and Wildemania amplissima. The portion of the project focused on eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) farming in combination with seaweeds and sea urchins, with the overall aim being an assessment of the IMTA potential for New Hampshire oyster farmers. From 2011 - 2014 we conducted a series of field experiments involving oysters and: 1) the seaweed Gracilaria tikvahiae (a total of seven experiments); 2) the seaweed Chondrus crispus (two experiments), and 3) the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (one experiment). We also conducted a 3-year (2011 - 2013) study that quantified nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) removal ("bioextraction") potential for farmed oysters at six sites in the Great Bay estuarine system. The oyster/seaweed experiments demonstrated some enhancement of seaweed growth due to the presence of oysters (10% in one experiment, 30% in another), but no difference in the other five experiments. The major issue that became evident early on was that the type of gear used to deploy the seaweeds was critical to their growth. We found that typically used approaches such as rope culture did not work on our farms due to strong tidal currents that caused rapid fouling by drifting material. In sum, our experiments demonstrated potential for oyster/seaweed IMTA and identified gear development as the most important area for further research. Another major finding that may have substantial management impacts was our quantification of N removal by farmed oysters. Nitrogen pollution has become a major focus in the past few years of management agencies in New Hampshire, and oyster farming as well as IMTA approaches involving oysters and seaweeds are being considered in long-term planning. Studies were conducted that focused on determining ammonia production rates from American oysters of different sizes and densities (0.006 kg/L and 0.013 kg/L), juvenile black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. Chrysops) held at two densities (0.005 kg/L and 0.010 kg/L). Ammonia was analyzed using the phenohypochlorite method. The studies with the hybrid striped bass served as a foundation for later aquaponic studies in which these fish were co-cultured with lettuce and other greens, in freshwater systems. Finally, an aquaponic study was conducted in which brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) were co-cultured with lettuce and redworms (Eisenia fetida). The high density hybrid striped bass treatment group produced 3.7 times more ammonia (224 mg/kg) than the low density treatment (60.5 mg/kg) over a 12 hour period. Black sea bass are extremely sensitive to ammonia production and the experiments were terminated prior to (12 hour) completion. Ammonia production was inversely proportional to size in American Oysters. Aquaponic studies with both fish species were successful over 60 day periods, during which marketable greens were produced. The primary focus of the seaweed portion of the project has been to develop and optimize techniques for the nursery production of several native species of seaweed including Porphyra umbilicalis, Pyropia leucosticta and Wildemania amplissima. To grow sea vegetables in coastal or shore based aquaculture systems, it is necessary to have a reliable source of "seed stock", which for sea vegetables mean small plants propagated in a nursery that can be grown out at the aquaculture site. Our primary accomplishment has been to determine optimum culture conditions (temperature, light level, day length, and nutrient concentrations) for the production of spores and growth into sporelings that can be out-planted at aquaculture sites. We have also pioneered methods for freezing sporelings so that they can be stored for later grow-out. This is a key accomplishment as it allows a continuous and reliable supply of sporelings for commercial operations. Studies with sea urchins demonstrated that eastern oysters require environments that are too euryhaline (less saline) for survival of sea urchins. At the same time, the European oyster now present in the coastal zone, could provide a new aquaculture species to the region and they co-exist with sea urchins. A bottom caging system was developed in which juvenile urchins could be grown with oysters to reduce fouling and grow to out planting size. The cage systems would then provide habitat and grazing surfaces for urchins to harvestable size and increase growth and survival of oysters and provide a value added product. Initial experiments showed good survival and growth of urchins and survival of oysters. Efforts to culture European oyster larvae obtained from local oysters met with limited success and expanded trials are being planned with a new culture system. An additional set of studies began to investigate the potential for utilizing the vase tunicate, Ciona intestinalis, a major fouling species in aquaculture systems, as a protein supplement to animal feeds. Initial trials showed that several species, including urchins, crabs and fish do feed on the tunicate. A second more promising use for the tunicate may be as a binder in animal feed pellets and initial experiments have been very positive. It would be a major benefit to aquaculture operations if one of the major pests became a value added product rather than a species to remove and manage.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Auker, L. A., A. L. Majkut, L. G. Harris, 2014. Exploring biotic impacts from Carcinus maenas predation and Didemnum vexillum epibiosis on Mytilus edulis in the Gulf of Maine. Northeastern Naturalist. 21:479-404.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Green, L.A., and C.D. Neefus. 2014. Effects of temperature, light level, photoperiod, and nitrogen concentration on Pyropia leucosticta (Thuret) Neefus & J. Brodie from the Northwest Atlantic. Journal of Applied Phycology. 10.1007/s10811-014-0421-4.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Green, L.A., and C.D. Neefus. 2014. The effects of short- and long-term freezing on Porphyra umbilicalis K�tzing (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) blade viability. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 461:499-503.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Green, L.A., and C.D. Neefus. Effects of temperature, light level, and photoperiod on the physiology of Porphyra umbilicalis K�tzing and implications for aquaculture. Aquaculture. (in review)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
R.E. Grizzle, K.M. Ward, C.R. Peter, M. Cantwell, D. Katz, and J. Sullivan. 2015. Growth, morphometrics, and nitrogen and carbon content of farmed eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in New Hampshire, USA. Aquaculture (in review)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Diessner, C.G., R.G. Sideman, B.N. Rock and D.L. Berlinsky. Small Scale Raft Aquaponics: Effects of Hybrid Striped Bass Stocking Density on the Growth of Lettuce and Pac Choi. Aquaculture. (in review)
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Redmond, S., L.A. Green, C. Yarish, J. Kim, and C.D. Neefus. 2014. New England seaweed culture handbook: nursery systems. Connecticut Sea Grant College Program. CTSG-14-01. 92 pp.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Green, L.A. 2014. Physiological studies of cultured New England nori Porphyra umbilicalis K�tzing and Pyropia leucosticta (Thuret) Neefus & J.Brodie, and implications for use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of New Hampshire.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Green, L.A., R.L. Eriksen, and C.D. Neefus. 2014. Exploring the long-term freezing tolerance of Porphyra umbilicalis K�tzing using next generation sequencing. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Portland, Oregon. May 18-23, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Green, L.A., and C.D. Neefus. 2014. The effects of long-term freezing on Porphyra umbilicalis K�tzing (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) blade viability. Northeast Algal Symposium, Newport, RI. April 25-17, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Green, L.A., and C.D. Neefus. 2013. A comparison of the growth, photosynthetic efficiency, protein and pigment contents of two species of Northwest Atlantic nori under a matrix of conditions. 27th Northwest Algal Symposium, Whidbey Island, Coupeville, WA. October 18-20, 2013, pg.10.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The information will be valuable to government managers who are responsible for overseeing the aquaculture industry as well as legislators interested in promoting aquaculture as a means of improving the economic health of coastal zone communnities. Also, aquaculture industry members who are working with any of the species under study or who may be considering aquaculture of one or more species. The studies undertaken will be particular interest to members of the scientific community researching both the biology and aquaculture of the species under study. Changes/Problems: Efforts to integrate bait worms have given data on growth and the integration with urchins, but facilities to include bait worms at commercial scale are not feasible at this time. Effort with Neries species are being reduced to focus on the integrated culture of European oysters and sea urchins, which shows great promise. A new development will be to incorporate one or more invasive tunicates into the culture systems as a possible protein source for aquaculture feeds, which represents turning a major pest to aquaculture into a significant contributor to future aquaculture operations. A new initiative to work more closely with an on-going study involving cage culture of triploid Steelhead Trout integrated with mussels and kelps has been taken. One aspect of the new collaboration will include adding cages with European oysters and sea urchins to compare bottom and suspended culture systems for these species. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Co-Project director Grizzle had Anna Gerber-Williams (undergrad) participate in setting up two field experiments, gathering data on algae and oyster growth and condition, and conducting preliminary statistical analyses of the some of the data from the project. Two grad students, Megan Glenn and Katie Hladki, also participated in one field experiment, and laboratory analyses of algae. A series of eight to ten undergraduates work in the Harris laboratory during the academic year to gain experience with research related to the aspects of sea urchin and European oyster aquaculture. Berlinsky incorporates the information gained from the projects into his Aquaculture course. Co-Project director Neefus supervised two graduate students in seaweed aquaculture . Project Director Harris supervised mutliple graduate and undergraduates who carried out urchin and blue mussel cultivation How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Publications have been submitted and discussions with members of the aquaculture community, scientists and state agencies are on-going. Grizzle is establishing a web site relating to oyster aquaculture and restoration of oyster reefs. Both the oyster aquaculture and Steelhead trout caging studies are in collaboration with fishermen and oyster growers in the NH coastal zone and Great Bay system. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? There will expanded culturing studies utilizing a new caging system deployed on bottom for urchins and European oysters in Little Harbor. Hatchery reared juvenile urchins will be inserted in cages with small oysters at varying densities to measure growth, survival and anti-fouling efficiency. The urchins will then be out planted with the caging systems to feed and remove fouling from the cages. Oysters will remain caged for measuring growth and survival with and without urchins. The hatchery system for sea urchins will be utilized to culture oyster spat in the summer months to fully utilize the facility, which currently is only operated during the winter urchin-spawning period. Initial efforts will be made to evaluate the incorporation of one or more invasive tunicates as a potential alternative protein source for aquaculture feeds to replace wild fish meal. Increasing focus on integrating seaweed culture with American oyster farms in Great Bay will the primary emphasis for the coming year. Analysis of production capacity as well as the benefit of nitrogen mitigation within the estuary will be a key area of study. Increasing integration of kelp and mussel culture with trout culture will also be an area of emphasis. Suspended cage culture of European oysters, with and without urchins, will be added to the trout culture systems to compare oyster production potential between suspended and bottom caging operations. A species of invasive tunicate will also be evaluated for aquaculture as a potential replacement for wild fish meal in animal feeds. The species is a common pest in aquaculture facilities and very fast growing and is eaten by a number of predators in marine environments, including several species of fish. As a filter feeder, it also would serve to reduce the effects of eutrophication by removing suspended particulates from the water column and may reduce pressure on forage fish exploited for fish meal production. Studies of onshore culture of Striped Bass will continue. Discussions are underway about incorporating feeding studies to evaluate the potential of invasive tunicates as a source of animal protein during the coming year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The primary purpose of the on-going studies is to promote growth of an aquaculture industry in the coastal zone of New England that enhance the economic success of the region while reducing the environmental impact on coastal waters. Integrating the culture of more than one species increases the likelihood of success and can serve to improve water quality. Field caging experiments at the Isles of Shoals and the sea urchin aquaculture site in Little Harbor showed good survival of European oysters and sea urchins over 4 to six months of deployment. Sea urchins were very effective at keeping the oyster shells free of fouling as well as the interior of cages, but did not show any effect on settlement of new oysters within the cages at either site. Expanded caging experiments have been initiated based on what was learned in the previous studies. Experiments were conducted to determine ammonia concentrations produced from juvenile and market-sized American oysters housed at two densities over a series of time periods from 6 to 48 hours. The purpose was to determine the potential growth benefit to different sea weeds, including kelps, Gracilaria and Porphyra (Nori) were cultured adjacent to and separated from oyster culture sites to compare the effects of oyster reefs on algal growth and aquaculture potential.. Physiology studies to determine the best culture conditions for species of Nori were conducted in closed systems. Additional studies included testing the ability of the native species of Porphyra to withstand freezing for up to one year while maintaining the ability to reestablish cultures after thawing. Studies of blue mussel and kelp growth in association with near shore cage systems for Steelhead trout were monitored for growth. Best growth for kelp was in the spring before fouling by bryozoans and summer water temperatures degraded the health and acceptability of the product. Mussel growth was also good, but required placement in offshore cages to address water quality restrictions due to a sewage treatment plant. Initials results were positive and further trials are underway. Caging studies with triploid Steelhead trout with mussels and kelp as value added crops that also provide an environmental service by removing both particulate and dissolved wastes are underway.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Dijkstra, J. A., W. J. Lambert, L. G. Harris 2013. Native predator and prey populations affected by introduced prey species. Biol. Inv. 15:911-919.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Redmond, S., L.A. Green, C. Yarish, J. Kim, and C.D. Neefus. 2013. Seaweed culture In New England. Connecticut Sea Grant College Program. http://s.uconn.edu/seaweedplaylist
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Green, L.A., A.C. Mathieson, C.D. Neefus, H.M. Traggis, and C.J. Dawes. 2012. Southern expansion of the brown alga Colpomenia peregrina Sauvageau (Scytosiphonales) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Green, L.A. and C.D. Neefus. 2013. Optimizing the production of Porphyra umbilicalis (K�tzing) in tank-based aquaculture. 21st International Seaweed Symposium, Bali, Indonesia. April 21-26, 2013, pg. 72.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Green, L.A. and C.D. Neefus. 2013. A comparison of the tank-based aquaculture potential of two local species of nori. Northeast Algal Symposium, Mystic, CT. April 19-21, 2013, pg.28.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Green, L.A. 2012. Seed production in nori aquaculture. Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition, Groton, CT (Invited Speaker). December 12-15, 2012
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The sea urchin hatchery produced one run of juveniles and tested a refinement of immediate introduction of fertilized eggs into culture vessels with excellent results. Covering the cone of the vat with a removable flat plate until embryos commence swimming greatly increases survival and reduces labor of early stage larvae. Initial trials to raise European oyster larvae to settlement have provided insights for new efforts in the spring utilizing the sea urchin hatchery. The American oyster portion of the project compared growth of seaweeds proximate to or distant from oyster culture cages. Three experiments were conducted in 2012, all focusing on oysters and algae at the Granite State Shellfish farm site. The results were disseminated as part of an oral presentation at the National Shellfisheries Association meeting (Mar 2012), two lectures to undergraduate students, and an article in the Fall 2012 issue of COLSA's INsight magazine. The finfish project focused on determining ammonia production from fish, urchins, and sea worms. A series of experiments were conducted to determine ammonia concentration produced from juvenile black sea bass housed in different densities and different time durations. Ammonia concentrations were determined from juveniles (1-3; 10-30 g) held in static conditions over 1, 2, and 4 hour periods. Results led to four presentations at the Northeast Algal Symposium (NEAS, April, 2012) and the Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exhibition (NACE, December, 2012). The seaweed project established cultures from wild-collected specimens of 5 native red seaweeds that have proven to be, or have potential to be excellent biofilters to remove nutrients from animal aquaculture effluent. All of the species have commercial value as a source of human food, a protein source in finfish and urchin aquaculture diets, and/or as a source of phycocolloids. Species include Porphyra umbilicalis, Porphyra purpurea, Pyropia leucosticta, Gracilaria tikvahiae, and Chondrus crispus. Species identity of all cultures have been confirmed by DNA sequencing. This is important since there are several morphologically similar non-native species (e.g. Gracilaria vermiculophylla and Pyropia yezoensis) that have invaded the Northeast. Nutrient uptake rates, growth rates, photosynthetic efficiency, reproduction of several of the species have been studied under a matrix of different light levels, temperatures and day lengths. Nutrient uptake has been examined in relation to nutrient concentration in the aquaculture system. This allows us to model the nutrient dynamics in recirculating aquaculture systems and to quantify nutrient removal in nearshore coastal aquaculture systems. PARTICIPANTS: Sea urchins and European oysters - C. Hill - Hatchery manager, Portsmouth, NH, J. Gingrinch - Portsmouth Scuba, Portsmouth, NH; N. Brown and S. Eddy - Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, Franklin, ME, J. Wadsworth - Friendship International, Rockland, ME, R. Bait worms - Normandeau - Chandler's Loft, Portsmouth, NH, Graduate Students (Megan McCuller, Seth Goodnight, Chris Wells, Sara Edquist), Undergraduate Students (10). American oysters - Undergraduate (Anna Gerber-Williams), Technician (Krystin Ward). Sea Weeds - Graduate Students (Lindsay Green, Katie Hladki) Fin Fish - Graduate Student (Katie Hladki), Undergraduate (Aurora Burgess) TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for the oyster portion of the project are shellfish farmers, particularly those in New England where similar gear to that used at the experimental sites in New Hampshire are routinely used, as well as scientists, environmental managers, regulators and others concerned with methods for controlling nutrient concentrations in coastal waters. The long-term goal is to develop Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) methods that can be used by farmers in New England to profitably produce oysters and seaweeds while also contributing to water quality improvements in our estuaries. The target audiences for the finfish portion of the project are fish farmers (globally), particularly those using recirculating systems. Additional interested parties include scientists and environmental managers interested in nitrogen production and balancing. The target audiences for sea urchins are fisheries managers (Harris is a member of the Maine Department of Marine Resources Sea Urchin Zone Council and chair of the Research Subcommittee) and members of the aquaculture industry. European oysters and bait worms represent new potential species for aquaculture development in the Gulf of Maine region. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The major change in the European and bait worm portion of the project was initiating room temperature (70 degrees F) cultures with algae to develop a culture system to integrate with black sea bass during the upcoming year. New field based caging studies with European oysters in combination with sea urchins as anti-fouling agents were also established at the urchin aquaculture site. The major change that occurred in 2012 for the oyster portion of the project was to re-focus on seaweed/oyster interactions (as briefly described above). The major reason was the results of experiments conducted in 2011 that indicated urchins did not do well at the oyster farm study site. The major change that occurred in 2012 was the substitution of black sea bass for rainbow smelt. Black sea bass are strictly marine, and their availability was conducive for the conduct of these experiments.
Impacts
The major findings thus far for each portion of the project have led to refinements in experimental design and overall focus. Sea urchins production has been refined to reduce effort in establishing larval cultures and initial juvenile grow out. Refinements to out planting of juveniles and integration of European oyster culture at the aquaculture site is underway. Initial trials with warm water culture of European oysters and bait worms have been positive and will lead to integration with black sea bass in the coming year. The overall impact of trials with American oysters and sea weeks has been re-focusing the experiments to quantify the impacts of oysters (particularly ammonia excretion) on nitrogen uptake by seaweeds and their subsequent growth/production. This will be followed by refinements in gear design for deploying seaweeds and oysters in practical and effective arrangements on the farm. The information on ammonia production by sea bass, as well as sea urchins and bait worms, will be used to quantify the number (mass) of fish for recirculating integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems.
Publications
- Harris, L. G. (in press 2012) Sea urchin biology and ecology. In: Brown, N. P. and S. D. Eddy (eds.). Aquaculture of Echinoderms. John Wiley and Sons.
- Dijkstra, J. A., W. J. Lamber, L. G. Harris 2012. Native predator and prey populations affected by introduced prey species. Biological Invasions (in press)
- Green, L.A, A.C. Mathieson, C.D. Neefus, H.M. Traggis and C.J. Dawes. 2012. Introduction and southern expansion of the brown alga Colpomenia peregrina Sauvageau (Scytosiphonales) in the Northwest Atlantic. Bot. Mar. (in press)
- Mols-Mortensen, A., C.D. Neefus, R. Nielsen, K. Gunnarsson, S. Egilsdottir, P.M. Pedersen and J. Brodie. 2012. New insights into the biodiversity and generic relationships of foliose Bangiales ( Rhodophyta) in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Eur. J. Phycol. 47(2): 146-159.
- Kim, J.K., G.P. Kraemer, C.D. Neefus, I.K. Chung and C. Yarish. 2012. Effects of temperature and ammonium on growth, pigment production and nitrogen uptake by four species of Porphyra native to the New England coast. In: D. Sahoo and B.D. Kaushik (eds.). Algal Biotechnology and Environment. I.K. International Publishing Pvt. Ltd. 346p.
- J. Sutherland, S. Lindstrom, W. Nelson, J. Brodie, M. Lynch, Mi-Sook Hwang, Han-Gu Choi, M. Miyata, N. Kikuchi, M. Oliveira, T. Farr, C. Neefus, A. Mols-Mortensen, D. Milstein, K. Muller, 2011. A new look at an ancient order: generic revision of the Bangiales. J. Phycol. 47(3): 1131-1151.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project represents a continuation of on-going studies of sea urchin aquaculture and initiation of an integration of studies utilizing bait worms, European oysters, sea weeds and fin fish into a multi-trophic system. Field studies of urchin recruitment at several sites in the Gulf of Maine from New Hampshire to near the Canadian border in Maine were conducted in the summer of 2011. Field growth and survival studies were expanded during the summer of 2011, with a second location in the main channel of the Portsmouth lease site established in which cages with newly settled urchins were deployed along with direct application of juvenile urchins under wire screen sheets to act as initial refuges. Collaboration on field studies continues with N. Brown of the University of Maine's Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research with support from the Northeast Region Aquaculture Center and Saltonstall-Kennedy. Hatchery production of juvenile urchins took place during winter of 2011 and three batches of juvenile urchins were produced to be used for field and laboratory studies. A new system for juvenile grow out utilizing a circular fiberglass trough system with an overhead lighting system was installed at the Coastal Marine Laboratory in duplicate. Laboratory studies integrating bait worms, Nereis virens, sea urchins and green algae (Ulva sp.) were begun and are undergoing revision. A new collaboration with a bait shop owner who is interested in culturing sea worms for the bait trade and also as an aquaculture demonstration system for high school classes was initiated. Expansion of both laboratory and field studies are underway. PARTICIPANTS: Direct collaborations with C. Hill, who runs the hatchery and J. Gingrich, who owns the hatchery building and lease site continue. Also, collaborations continue with N. Brown and S. Eddy of the University of Maine's Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research. New collaborations have begun with R. Grizzle (oysters), C. Neefus (algae) and D. Berlinsky (finfish), who are based at the University of New Hampshire. An additional collaboration has begun with C. Walker, also at UNH, to produce triploid sea urchins to test their utilization in aquaculture. We are now working with R. Normandeau, owner of the Chandler's Loft, Portsmouth, NH on bait worm studies. Four graduate students assisted in studies during the summer of 2011 and a new doctoral student, S. Edquist, is now directly working on the project with a second student to begin in January. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary focus group for this project are members of the fishing and aquaculture industry in the Gulf of Maine region. Harris continues to be a member of the State of Maine's Sea Urchin Zone Council and is chair of the research subcommittee, which has recently been charged with developing a management plan for the urchin fishery. Additional audiences are the scientific community and students who either take courses in marine science from Harris or work on research projects in his laboratory. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Changes in the experimental design for both field and laboratory studies continue as new information is obtained and analyzed. New species are being added incrementally as the new collaborations develop. In addition to adding new species into a multi-trophic system, investigating the feasibility of producing triploid sea urchins for aquaculture is a new direction.
Impacts
Recruitment in 2011 changed little in the northeastern sites, but continued to be very low in the southwestern sites, similar to 2009 and 2010. Recruitment in the northeastern sites has historically been low, but the decline in numbers of settlers in the southwestern regions is new. Changes in benthic communities is a likely contributing factor that needs to be further investigated during the coming year. Field studies in the quiet portion of the lease site show both survival in refuges and growth, though not at expected levels. Low water exchange at this location may be a problem. Survival at the main channel site appears to be greater and also growth, which was expected due to the greater current and productivity of the site. The hatchery production has continued to be successful and the new grow out chambers show great promise with high growth rates for a portion of the population of juveniles. Removal of larger individuals initiates increased growth of a new set of smaller individuals after a release from apparent competition. Increasing the number of chambers to 4 will be undertaken in the coming winter. Also, a population of large adult oysters is being accumulated to undertake cultivation efforts in the coming spring season. The number of adult and juvenile European oysters in the lease site has increased significantly over the last 2 to 3 years. Laboratory studies with urchins, worms and algae showed promise in the initial experiments, though alteration of the recirculating systems to provide more independent replicates is has begun. Densities of worms is being manipulated to maximize growth and survival. Urchins are also being provided for caging experiments with American oysters at a lease site further up in the estuary.
Publications
- Dijkstra, J. A., E. L. Westerman, L. G. Harris 2011. The effects of climate change on species composition, succession and phenology: a case study. Global Change Biology 17:2360-2369.
- Dumont, C. P., L. G. Harris, C. F. Gaymer 2011. Anthropogenic structures as a spatial refuge from predation for the invasive bryozoan Bugula neritina. Marine Ecology Progress Series 427:95-103.
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