Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center
Research and Development
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Health research at the Center focuses on the diseases and parasites affecting marine
animals in culture. Center scientists investigate topics ranging from the diagnostics
and taxonomy of marine pathogens to the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases
in the marine environment. The Center鈥檚 health research program seeks to understand
the mechanisms of disease outbreaks and develop strategies to minimize the impacts
of disease in aquaculture. Our scientists study these issues in molluscs, crustaceans,
and finfish using a variety of methods ranging from traditional microbiological and
laboratory approaches to molecular analyses and mathematical techniques.
Research in genetics aims to support the development of breeding programs and the
management of genetic impacts of marine aquaculture on wild populations. Draft reference
genomes and high density linkage maps are in development for several finfish species
and are exploited during functional genomic studies and association studies through
the analysis of high-density genome scans obtained from genotyping by sequencing.
This research provides essential data on the genetic basis of phenotypic traits needed
to design effective selective breeding programs. Genomic resources are also used to
describe fine-scale population structure in target species and assist with the management
of genetic impacts in practical aquaculture projects.
Research in larviculture aims to understand the environmental and nutritional requirements
of early larval stages of cultured marine species. Through manipulation of several
variables including light source characteristics, salinity, temperature, food source
and nutrient content, feeding protocols, this research seeks to optimize protocols
for large scale production of marine larvae in controlled recirculating systems. The
center has on going programs on a variety of finfish, crustaceans and more recently
molluscan species.
The reproductive physiology program aims to enable controlling the reproductive cycle
of captive broodstock of marine fishes candidate for aquaculture in the Gulf region
and develop effective spawning methods to produce high quality seeds for aquaculture.
Gamete maturation and the hormonal cycle of fish held in captivity are studied in
connection with spawning success and spawn parameters. Spawning methods are developed
through manipulation of environmental variables as well as the use of hormonal therapies
for spawning in tanks or in vitro fertilization following strip-spawning. In vitro
fertilization parameters are optimized in order to enable production of complex mating
designs during breeding programs.
TCMAC maintains production units for algae, rotifers, Artemia, and copepods in support
of culture operations for a variety of molluscs, crustaceans, and finfish. Center
scientists investigate techniques to maximize production per unit volume and methods
to manipulate and optimize nutritional value for target organisms. With respect to
copepods, the Center focuses on developing methods for commercial-scale production
of Acartia tonsa and Parvocalanus crassirostris using laboratory and mathematical
approaches.
Although the Center has an intake for natural saltwater, optimal water quality can
sometimes be a challenge. Additionally the Center operates in a minimal discharge
environment. Center staff, therefore seek, to maximize the use and reuse of artificial
saltwater. The use of artificial seawater helps create additional biosecurity and
can allow marine aquaculture to occur in a variety of geographic locations. Recirculation
technologies at TCMAC include both biofloc and clear water systems for maintenance
and production of molluscs, crustaceans, and finfish. Our scientists seek to maximize
the economics of recirculating systems by employing bead filtration systems that minimize
backwash volume and maximize the efficiency of mechanical and biofiltration. The program
also investigates recovery and reuse of wastewater through the use of geotextile bags
and aquaponics for coastal marsh plants.
The center focuses on encouraging environmentally and economically sustainable offshore
aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico and worldwide. Research and development addresses
the environmental, regulatory, structural and logistical aspects of offshore aquaculture.
Species
- Spotted sea trout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
- Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis)
- Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
- Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
- Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
- Gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus)
- Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)
- Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulates)
- Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
- Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
- Marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
- Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus)