Annual Report

2017 ANNUAL REPORT WWESTERNaterlines REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER • California • Colora a • Arizona do • Idaho Alask • Mon tana • Neva da • N ew Mex ming ico • Oregon • Utah • Washington • Wyo We are pleased to present this issue of Waterlines, our 2017 newsletter and report of accomplishments to USDA/NIFA. IN THIS ISSUE 2 WRAC Extension Impacts 4 National Aquaculture Extension Conference 6 WRAC Project Funding Schedule 7 Spotlights on the West 8 WRAC Project Highlights 14 In the Press & At the Podium 1 WRAC Extension Impacts SERVING THE WESTERN REGION Critical Role of WRAC Extension— The Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC) serves Connecting Industry and Research the aquaculture industry through its research and outreach Extension efforts help strengthen the applicability and relevance of research efforts by focusing resources on areas of high priority. The results to the industry and document the impacts of WRAC-funded projects 12-state region is large and diverse with many marine on commercial aquaculture throughout the western region. All WRAC-funded and freshwater aquaculture species. The main commercial projects must include an extension component. Target audiences, outreach species produced in the region are rainbow trout, white goals, activities, outputs, and outcomes must be clearly identified, as well as sturgeon, tilapia, catfish, Pacific oysters, and several other a funded investigator responsible for outreach. Extension efforts include finfish and shellfish species as well. publications, web-based materials, presentations, videos, and workshops. WRAC strives to involve all 12 states in project work. Currently, the research topics address a number of industry WRAC-FUNDED PROJECTS priority issues such as developing new aquaculture species, Based on priority areas, WRAC funds 2 to 3 projects each funding cycle. growing aquaculture, innovations in diet nutrition, aqua- • 2013–2016: Determination and practical application of egg. culture opportunities through genetics, and production of quality measures toward reliable culture of high-value marine finfish species high quality water for shellfish culture. • 2013–2016: If you feed them, will they grow? A dietary approach to The Board of Directors, with members from industry, improving the growth of juvenile cutthroat trout. research, and extension, oversees the program. Priorities for • 2016–2018: Triploids, tetraploids, and successful metamorphosis in Purple new and continuing research and outreach are based on hinge rock scallop (Crassadoma gigantean). recommendations made by an Industry Advisory Council, • 2013–2016: Efficient, rapid assay for predicting the growth rate of representing all industry sectors and geographic zones, to- aquaculture species based on metabolic rate of the fertilized egg. gether with a Technical Committee consisting of research- • 2015–2018: The economic impact of regulations on shellfish and trout ers and extension specialists who meet annually to review aquaculture growth in the western United States. ongoing and proposed projects. • 2015–2019: Determining causes, costs, and benefits of triploidization to improve sturgeon caviar production. • 2015–2019: Adapting aquaculture to changing water chemistry in the Pacific Northwest. 2 WRAC IMPACTS WRAC EXTENSION Finfish BY THE NUMBERS 2012–2016 • Developed low phosphorous feeds, which has allowed Published Research the Idaho trout industry to maintain production while 46 Papers & Journal Articles meeting stringent effluent limits. • Played a major role in the development of the approximately $35 million retail per year farmed 22 Online/In the Media sturgeon caviar industry in California and Idaho. • Developed fish diets that reduce dependence on WRAC Extension Publications fishmeal from wild fish. 3 • Developed diagnostic tools and vaccines for fish diseases of major economic importance. Evaluating Ingredients for Aquafeeds: AlternativeEvaluating Proteins Ingredients for Trout Feeds for Aquafeeds: Alternative Proteins for Trout Feeds Early Rearing of Cutthroat Trout Shellfish Low-Phosphorus WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER Feeds Development Technical Report WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER Gary Fornshell, University of Idaho Impact Statement Wendy M. Sealey, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), WESTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER Bozeman Fish TechnologyGary Fornshell, Center University of Idaho WendyCarolyn M. Sealey, Ross, UnitedWashington States State Fish Universityand Wildlife Service (USFWS), Western Regional Aquaculture Center Christopher A. Myrick, Colorado StateBozeman University Fish Technology Center Compiled by T. Gibson Gaylord, USFWS, Bozeman FishCarolyn Technology Ross, Washington Center State University • Developed high-yield oyster lines for the $110 million per Frederic T. Barrows, United StatesChristopher Department A. of Myrick, Agriculture, Colorado State University Gary Fornshell, University of Idaho Extension T. Gibson Gaylord,Agricultural USFWS, Research Bozeman Service Fish Technology Center Christopher Myrick, Colorado State University Frederic T. Barrows, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1 United States Department of Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture year farmed shellfish industry. 1 1 1 • Developed by WRAC Extension Specialists, three sanita- tion simulation and analytic models (Aquarius, Pearl 26 Web/Video Workshops/Podcasts & Mermaid) for the shellfish industry and state regulators to increase safety of harvested oysters for the consumer. Presentations at Professional First applied in California, model development led to a 119 and Industry Conferences $1/2-million/per year revenue increase for growers since 2005. Models are now being applied in other Pacific, Gulf and Atlantic states of the U.S. for potential application. 11 Master’s Theses • Supported industry growth that leads to jobs in rural communities (in Washington, shellfish farming is the first Regional Research and Outreach and second largest employer in Pacific & Mason counties, 48 Preproposals Submitted to WRAC respectively with an annual payroll of $27 million). n >50 Students Supported Photo, front cover: Mark Drawbridge;Illustrations: shorenated, omunkulus28, anton_novik, and MSmmitt777/iStock/Thinkstock, Cathy Schwartz 3 2017 National Aquaculture Extension Conference —Excerpted and adapted from National Aquaculture Extension Conference (NAEC) committee reports submitted after the conference. The 2017 National Aquaculture Extension Coference (NAEC) was held agencies, academic institutions, and private companies. The afternoon in Boise, Idaho, in June. The USDA National Institute of Food and culminated with nine poster presentations. (Information contained on Agriculture’s five Regional Aquaculture Centers and the NOAA National WRAC’s Extension poster is on pages 2–3.) Sea Grant Program co-sponsored the conference. Held approximately Day two was devoted to a four-stop tour of Idaho Aquatics, Fish every five years since 1992, this unique conference has provided a forum Breeders of Idaho, University of Idaho Hagerman Fish Culture for professional development and growth for participants with all levels Experiment Station, and Evaqua Farms (Magic Springs). Despite of experience and years of service in aquaculture extension education. temperatures topping out at 97°F, the tour was a favorite activity. Seventy participants came from across the United States and there The meals that day—locally sourced sturgeon and trout, served for were even some international attendees. Forrest Wynne (Kentucky State lunch and for dinner—were big hits. University) and Gary Fornshell (University of Idaho) served as co-chairs. On day three, participants were back indoors, hearing about The organizing committee consisted of Jimmy Avery, Samuel Chan, and discussing commercial aquaculture health program standards, David Cline, Anita Kelly, Gene Kim, Ron Kinnunen, Andy Lazur, aquaponics, fish losses, and toxicity, pertaining to freshwater and Shivaun Leonard, Max Mayeaux, Matt Parker, Caird Rexroad, Mike Great Lakes aquaculture. The afternoon talks centered around marine Rust, and Rossana Sallenave. aquaculture, with topics as diverse as Connecticut’s seaweed industry, The presentations (41 talks and 9 posters) and the conference Alaskan mariculture diversification, oyster aquaculture in Georgia, and proceedings are available on the WRAC’s website: http://depts.washington. sugar kelp in the northeast. The day wrapped up with a lively panel edu/wracuw/front%20page/Extension_conf/Extension_conf2.html. Videos discussion on advocacy in in extension and public outreach. Panel of the presentations are on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ participants included Caird Rexroad, ARS; Sam Chan, Sea Grant; UCevU6JxOsIM6j0jFaBl3cyg/videos. Mike Rust, NOAA; Gene Kim, USDA-NIFA; Larry Dorman, The morning session on the first day comprised interesting, thought- UAPB Extension; and Fred Conte, UC Davis Extension. provoking talks on a wide range of topics, including marine aquaculture At the conclusion of the conference, the committee collected 52 outreach and education at the Aquarium of the Pacific; history, evaluation surveys (a 79% response rate). From more than 120 collaborations, and challenges of the Idaho

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