New shellfish research Institute

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk “Our scientists will study how various methods of shellfish planting and subsequent mechanical harvesting affects the benthic communities of coastal estuaries. The US has been a leader in aquaculture innovation. This research will continue that tradition,” said Christopher L. Brown, Ph.D., a fisheries biologist who directs the NOAA aquaculture laboratory in Milford, Conn, in a press release. NOAA awarded the lab and institute USD 423,000 for this project and other research on issues faced by the shellfish industry. Shellfish aquaculture is a more than USD 200 million industry in the United States, representing 20 percent of all domestic aquaculture. In many New England states, shellfish farming is growing at double-digit rates. This year the lab is hosting the 28th Milford Aquaculture Seminar. The seminar has worked to address real world problems faced by the men and women who grow shellfish and finfish in the marine waters of the United States and around the world. New ideas that contribute to industry success and innovative solutions to baffling problems are the annual products of this public seminar, according to the NOAA press release. Photo: NOAA Caption: Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve. Oyster floats growing oysters in Taskinas Creek as part of the Aquaculture Education Project.