Scientists from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute partnered with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to boost the U.S. aquaculture industry in a $2.4 million project.

FAU’s Harbor Branch faculty is skilled in warm water finfish research and development, and has led the way in advancing aquaculture in Florida and globally for more than 40 years. The USDA-ARS’ National Program for Aquaculture mission is to conduct research and deliver technologies that improve domestic aquaculture production efficiency and product quality while minimizing impacts on natural resources. FAU’s Harbor Branch will host three new USDA scientists on their campus who have expertise in genetics, fish nutrition and health to develop novel technologies that will ensure a steady supply of warm water marine fish seedstocks optimized for commercial production.

Focused on improving market competitiveness for domestic aquaculture producers, the project will initially focus on Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) as model species for improvement. The key objective of the project is to develop year-round spawning strategies for captive broodstock and larviculture methods for seed production of marine finfish. In addition, the scientists will develop methods for genetic improvement of warm water marine finfish for optimum production efficiency. This approach will help to increase profitability and ensure environmental sustainability by producing less waste, posing less risk of disease, and using feed more efficiently.