UMaine researchers present at Aquaculture America conference
Deborah Bouchard and Meggan Dwyer from the University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) chaired a session about Maine’s aquaculture sector at Aquaculture America, the largest national aquaculture conference, Feb. 23–26 in New Orleans.
Speakers from the University of Maine, Educate Maine, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Long Cove Sea Farms, Colby College, and the University of New Hampshire demonstrated the multidisciplinary work, from UMaine’s microcredential pathway to using pheromones as a means to control sea lice.
The session also highlighted workforce development projects such as the Maine Aquaculture Apprenticeship Program, Aquaculture Pioneers, and the Aquaculture Experiential Opportunities for Undergraduate Students (AquEOUS).
Qiujie Zheng, assistant professor of business analytics at the University of Maine, presented a study about why understanding consumer attitudes toward seaweed and value-added products is crucial for farmers and expanding Maine’s seaweed market. Adam St. Gelais, aquaculture innovation specialist with ARI, discussed macroalgae carbon dioxide removal through the first of its kind “Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment,” with the integration of both social and economic analysis. Assistant Professor of Fish Nutrition and Nutrigenomics Michael Habtetsion presented successful results from his research looking into sustainable feed development using insects as an alternative to fish meal for Atlantic salmon.
Bobby Harrington, a research associate at ARI, presented about work testing for naturally occurring compounds present in recirculating aquaculture systems which can result in an “off-flavor” of the fish tissue. Bobby Morefield, a current Ph.D. candidate, presented work looking at pheromones as means for pest management, with the idea of having a drug free and environmentally friendly means to control for sea lice in aquaculture systems.