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Title: FACILITIES AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AT THE USDA, ARS NATIONAL COLD WATER MARINE AQUACULTURE CENTER IN FRANKLIN, MAINE

Author
item Wolters, William
item SUMMERFELT, S - FRESHWATER INST, WV
item VINCI, B - FRESHWATER INST, WV
item MASTERS, A - FRESHWATER INST, WV
item Brazil, Brian

Submitted to: International Sustainable Marine Fish Culture Conference and Workshop Book of Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2005
Publication Date: 10/15/2005
Citation: Wolters, W.R., Brazil, B.L. 2005. Facilities and program development at the USDA, ARS National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Franklin, Maine. 2nd International Sustainable Marine Fish Culture Conference and Workshop Book of Abstracts. Fort Pierce, FL, October 2005, p. 18

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is developing facilities in Maine to conduct research on problems limiting coldwater marine aquaculture. The Northeastern U.S has the ideal location and unique opportunity to be a leader in cold-water marine finfish aquaculture. However, problems and regulations on environmental issues, mandatory stocking of 100 percent native North American salmon, and disease have seriously impacted economic viability of the U.S. salmon industry. In response to these problems, the ARS has developed the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) in Orono and Franklin, Maine. The USDA’s Franklin site is adjacent to the University of Maine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research on the shore of Taunton Bay and share essential infrastructure to maximize efficiency. Facilities will be used to conduct research on Atlantic salmon and other coldwater marine finfish species. The initial research focus for the Franklin location will be to develop a comprehensive Atlantic salmon breeding program from native North American fish stocks leading to the development and release of genetically improved salmon lines to commercial producers. Research facilities will include office space, primary and secondary hygiene rooms, a research tank bay, and a breeding facility for 200+ Atlantic salmon families with incubation, parr, smolt, on-grow, and broodstock tanks. Fish culture tanks will be equipped with eight recirculating systems utilizing biological (fluidized sand) filtration, carbon dioxide stripping, supplemental oxygenation and ozonation, and ultraviolet sterilization. The Franklin location has the unique water resources to supply these systems from freshwater, brackish water, or saltwater wells, and also filtered seawater. Water from culture tanks and the research facility will discharge into a wastewater treatment building and pass through micro-screen drum filtration, UV irradiation to disinfect the water, and an inclined traveling belt screen to exclude from the discharge all eggs or fish. Research staff and program areas will be expanded to address industry needs as additional funding becomes available. Potential future program areas are likely to include fish health, nutrition, emerging species, production systems, and engineering.