SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE PROGRAM OUTLINE 

RSMAS has a strong and well funded academic and R&D program in sustainable aquaculture. The Aquaculture Program within the Division of Marine Affairs has developed a solid, widely recognized and popular academic track supported by an innovative research and development program at the leading edge of sustainable aquaculture technology. The program is leading the development of technology for hatchery and offshore sustainable aquaculture in the Southeast U.S. and the Caribbean regions and is spearheading R&D in this emerging field. The Aquaculture Program has interdisciplinary projects within RSMAS and with other institutions, particularly with the University of Puerto Rico. Combining efforts with the private sector and other universities and institutions, the program succeeded in obtaining $ 2.1 M in grants FY 2002-03. The UM Center for Sustainable Fisheries is also supporting the Aquaculture Program initiatives.

The program covers applied technology of reproduction, spawning, larval husbandry, nursery and growout techniques of commercially important species of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae, other non-traditional species, as well as the production of live feeds.  Students are taught advanced aquaculture techniques, proper management practices for sustainable aquaculture development, disease prevention and control, feeds formulation and manufacturing, feeding management strategies, water quality control and recirculating systems.  Environmental issues are also addressed. 

Strategies of resource exploitation and utilization in developing aquaculture projects are presented, including environmental, technological, social, economical, and administrative aspects.  All stages of planning and development of an aquaculture project are covered, from site selection and feasibility study to processing, market and commercialization, with emphasis on determining the technical and economic feasibility of aquaculture projects.   Manpower requirement at all operational levels and labor costs are examined, as well as auxiliary industries, including feeds, fertilizers, chemicals, materials and equipment needed.  Students learn how to make aquaculture business and production plans and to identify and organize the available resources for developing both government and private aquaculture projects. The preparation of projects and grant proposals are outlined.

Students conduct field and lab work on environmental, technological, social, economical, and administrative aspects of aquaculture operations. Students participate in all stages of the production process, including maturation, spawning, larval husbandry, nursery and growout techniques, as well as harvesting, processing and exporting. Students visit several large commercial hatcheries, farms and processing plants currently producing, processing, packing and exporting shrimp and fish (both marine and freshwater) for the US, European and Asian markets. The owners and top managers of these vertically integrated operations host the field course participants and share with them their experience. Manpower requirement and labor costs are examined.  Students are able to apply criteria for site and species selection, facilities design, levels of management intensity, and risk assessment.