Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to NRP
NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER PROGRAM FY2022
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029075
Grant No.
2022-38500-38101
Cumulative Award Amt.
$949,555.00
Proposal No.
2022-05736
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2022
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2026
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[CA]- Aquaculture Centers
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Technical Industry Advisory Committee (TIAC) develops research and Extension priorities based on industry input defining their needs. A Request for Proposals is developed by the TIAC and approved by the NRAC Board of Directors. Proposals are competitively submitted by qualified research and Extension people and the proposal are reviewed both internal and external to the region. The reviews are based on sound scientific principles, applicability of the proposal to the priorities in the RFA to the industry, regional nature of the proposal and related criteria. The highest-rated proposals are then submitted by the TIAC to the BOD for approval. Approved projects are included in NRAC's Plan of Work submitted to USDA-NIFA for approval. If approved by NIFA, NRAC prepares contracts to the home institution of the principal investigator to fund the project. The project is then carried out by the investigators according to the plan in the approved proposal and results are reported to NRAC and distributed as widely as possible through websites, Extension activities and other means. Specific results depend on the project funded and the problem defined. However, all projects must be relevant to the aquaculture industry in the Northeast US and address a problem defined by the industry as a constraint on industry development.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3020810101010%
3070811102010%
3150899104010%
6043799301010%
9023799302010%
9033799301010%
3020811101010%
3070810102010%
6046299301010%
3150811104010%
Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals; 902 - Administration of Projects and Programs; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery; 604 - Marketing and Distribution Practices; 307 - Animal Management Systems; 315 - Animal Welfare/Well-Being and Protection;

Subject Of Investigation
0810 - Finfish; 0899 - Wildlife and natural fisheries, general/other; 3799 - Cultured aquatic animals, general/other; 6299 - Marketing, general/other; 0811 - Shellfish;

Field Of Science
1040 - Molecular biology; 3020 - Education; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 3010 - Economics; 1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of NRAC is to develop and support aquaculture research, development, demonstration and Extension education activities, which will enhance viable and profitable aquaculture production in the northeastern United States. The program's specific objectives are: 1) Support outstanding aquaculture research and Extension programs in the northeastern region; 2) Provide a nucleus for information exchange between the aquaculture industry and researchers and Extension personnel in the region; 3) Encourage cooperation and collaboration among diverse institutions and organizations in the region; 4) Complement and strengthen existing aquaculture research and Extension educational programs within USDA and other public and private institutions; 5) Act as a mechanism for assessing needs, establishing priorities, and implementing regional research and extension programs in aquaculture; 6) Facilitate administration and implementation of cooperative regional research and Extension educational programs in aquaculture; 7) Help build research and Extension linkages in the region; 8) Help coordinate interregional and national programs; 9) Implement Center programs by using existing regional linkages already in place within USDA's science and education activities; and 10) Encourage public, non-profit institutional, and industry participation in center programs. The ultimate goal is to improve the economic and social well-being of the aquaculture industry within the northeast by providing value-added research that improved profitability and efficiency.
Project Methods
The NRAC committees and Board of Directors have not yet approved projects for this funding. When approved, project efforts will include activities or processes that deliver science-based knowledge to people through formal or informal educational programs. Examples include: formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, or practicum experiences; development of curriculum or innovative teaching methodologies; workshops; experiential learning opportunities; extension and outreach. Evaluation will include demonstrating that evaluation will be part of our project meaning that NRAC will describe the plan/steps to be used to evaluate or "measure" the success of the project. We will provide a listing of the types of evaluation studies planned and types of data that will be collected, emphasizing key milestones and measurable or quantitative indicators of success. The project evaluation plan will relate milestones and indicators of success to expected project outcomes/accomplishments and impacts.

Progress 08/01/23 to 07/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for all NRAC projects are the aquaculture industry in the Northeast Region, University of Researchers, Extension agents and specialists, aquaculture industry suppliers and the general public. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This grant funds the second year of four NRAC projects that just started the second year. It also funds seven mini grant projects that just started. There is nothing to report at this time.

Publications


    Progress 08/01/22 to 07/31/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audiences for all NRAC projects are the aquaculture industry in the Northeast Region, university researchers, Extension agents and specialists, aquaculture industry suppliers, and the general public. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? NRACfunded four projects under this grant: Year two for "Rebooting the Northeast Aquaculture Extension Network: A Skills Training and Mentorship Program for Extension Professionals" led by Zachary Gordon at the University of Connecticut. Year one is under a previous grant. Year two has not begun so there is nothing to report to date. Year two for "Developing Structural Engineering Guidelines for Open Ocean Aquaculture Installations", led by David Fredrikson at the University of New Hampshire. Year one is under a previous grant. Year two has not begun so there is nothing to report to date. Year two for "The Northeast Bivalve Hatchery Health Consortium (NEBHHC): Managing Larval Mortalities in the Northeast Hatcheries", led by Marta Gomez-Chiarri at the University of Rhode Island.Year one is under a previous grant. Year two has not begun so there is nothing to report to date. Year two for "Impact of Waterbirds on Fecal Coliform Levels at Floating Gear Oyster Aquaculture Operations" , led by Scott McWilliams at the University of Rhode Island.Year one is under a previous grant. Year two has not begun so there is nothing to report to date.

    Publications