BALTIMORE, MD – part of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, welcomed a community of aquaculture experts from both the U.S. and abroad during the 2nd annual SAS² Conference, held between October 17-20. This project in partnership with the University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute, funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), highlighted the value of collaborative research and partnerships.

IMET Director, Russell Hill, set the stage, emphasizing the transformative potential of sustainable aquaculture, showcasing how the SAS² project champions responsible salmon practices nationwide. Project Director, Dr. Yonathan Zohar, noted the reality that the U.S. imports 90% of its salmon. Such a heavy reliance on international sources underscores the urgency to bolster domestic salmon production, ensuring a sustainable and self-reliant supply chain. 

Throughout the event, participants engaged in multidisciplinary discussions focusing on practical measures to reduce carbon footprints,  innovative uses of waste in aquaculture, and the nuances of land-based salmon farming. Comprehensive panels also touched on the intricacies of U.S. aquaculture permits, risk assessments, and off-flavor mitigation 

Leading the way in educational initiatives, Scarlet Tudor and an undergraduate student, Katarina Minas, from the Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) at the University of Maine provided attendees with an immersive experience via a virtual reality (VR) tour of 91����’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR). Through advanced imaging techniques, she showcased various facets of the facility, including her favorite, the lumpfish room. Minas envisions this VR tour as a critical tool for educators, enabling students from remote parts of Maine to learn about aquaculture and its career prospects.

Keynote speaker, Matthew Craze from Spheric Research, shed light on the shift in land-based aquaculture, spotlighting Norway’s adoption of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in salmon hatcheries and its innovative strides in supply chain management. Meanwhile, Daisy Berg from New Seasons Market shared a story of the Pacific Northwest’s evolution from a staunch wild salmon stronghold to recognizing the pivotal role of aquaculture innovations like RAS in sustaining wild salmon populations. Her insights challenged long-held perceptions and highlighted the synergy between traditional practices and modern innovations.

During the graduate student showcase, Halli Bair, an ARI student of Heather Hamlin, Director of the School of Marine Sciences, delved into her work focused on broodstock and offspring quality in Atlantic salmon. Her work aims to understand embryo survival rates in commercial hatcheries. This research could potentially reshape industry practices, offering an avenue to predict and improve fish performance early in the production lifecycle.

Culminating the conference, Steve Summerfelt from Superior Fresh and Steering Committee Chair of the SAS² project celebrated the collective ambition of attendees, articulating a unified vision: to solidify the U.S.’s position as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture. This conference not only celebrated past achievements but also set a clear goal for the U.S. aquaculture community, charting a path towards a sustainable and self-reliant future.

ORONO, Maine – The Aquaculture Research Institute has been awarded $2.25 million per year of congressional programmatic funding from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) for research on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center.

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) represent an increasingly important technology in the field of aquaculture. These land-based culture systems not only boost production and strengthen domestic aquaculture, but also reduce dependence on coastal ecosystems and enhance resilience to changing environmental conditions. With innovative research and effective management, RAS operations have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about sustainable aquaculture. 

In conjunction with an existing USDA-ARS Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (NACA), this new funding will help establish ARI as a nationally recognized RAS research facility, focusing on shellfish and finfish species. Prioritized research includes the development of domestic broodstock, sustainable alternative feeds, the impacts of climate change, innovations in waste processing, reduction of environmental impacts, elimination of off-flavor compounds like geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), and overall more energy efficient systems at the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture (CCAR). 

“We’re committed to expanding our knowledge and expertise in RAS to culture fish and shellfish in a way that’s productive and profitable, while ensuring the highest standards of animal well-being. The goal here is to optimize production, efficiency and sustainability”  explains Deborah Bouchard, Director of the Aquaculture Research Institute. 

This $2.25 million in funding represents a significant investment not only for the future of the RAS industry but for workforce development as well. Several new full-time positions have been created through both ARI and USDA-ARS, enhancing infrastructure at CCAR and expanding the facility’s capabilities for cutting-edge research and development. 

“This will allow ARI and USDA to continue work on improving Atlantic salmon reproductive inefficiencies. Low eye-up rates have plagued the salmon industry for the past 15 years. A new reproductive physiologist will be hired that will address these inefficiencies. In addition, a new fisheries biologist will be hired that will address off-flavor and water quality as it relates to salmon grown in RAS,” says Brian Peterson, Director National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center.

Ultimately, this will lead to a more sustainable and profitable future for the domestic aquaculture industry while making high-quality protein more accessible.