Aquaculture
Seafood remains the only mainstream protein source in the American diet still hunted in the wild, and commercial oceangoing fisheries are experiencing the consequences of decades of over-fishing, habitat degradation, coastal construction, and pollution. Virginia Tech’s and, specifically, Virginia Cooperative Extension’s fisheries aquaculture programs have focused on finding positive solutions to this crisis for many years, and have a longstanding commitment to promoting more sustainable methods of producing the nutritious seafood that consumers demand. This media kit has feature information about the aquaculture programs and resources at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, including the latest news, a list of experts, magazine articles, multimedia, and much more.
Latest News
Two conferences hosted by Virginia Tech highlight importance of aquaculture industry (July 2008)
Researchers and industry officials will come together in late July to gain a perspective on the challenges facing the nation’s aquaculture industry and investigate possible solutions to these with two conferences hosted by Virginia Tech.
Virginia Cooperative Extension provides outreach to Virginia’s aquaculture farmers (July 2008)
Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists at Virginia State University’s pond aquaculture program have been working with Extension agents to provide answers for local farmers involved with Virginia’s competitive aquaculture industry.
Experts
| Michael Jahncke | Professor and director of the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center | Virginia Tech | (757) 727-4861 | mjahncke@vt.edu |
| Lori Marsh | Associate professor of food science and technology | Virginia Tech | (540) 231-6325 | marshes@vt.edu |
| Brian Nerrie | Extension aquaculture specialist | Virginia State University | (804) 524-5903 | bnerrie@vsu.edu |
| Michael Schwarz | Extension aquaculture specialist at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center | Virginia Tech | (757) 727-4861 | mschwarz@vt.edu |
News Articles
Partnership to break ground on shrimp aquaculture (October 2006)
Unless you’ve seen the inside of Blue Ridge Aquaculture, located behind the speedway in Martinsville, you might be under the impression that large-scale fish farming is an unlikely proposition for Southside Virginia. Well, think again. Not only is Blue Ridge Aquaculture the world’s largest indoor aquaculture producer (shipping over 70,000 pounds of tilapia per week), but the company has continued to expand into new markets for more than 12 years.
Publications
Extension has aquaculture and seafood publications on controlling aquatic plants, freshwater fish farming in Virginia, planning for commercial aquaculture, and much more.
Magazine Articles
Microbiological Safety of Farmed Fish (PDF, Global Aquaculture Advocate, May/June 2008)
In studies, several types of microbial and bacterial pathogens have been associated with farmed fish. Since fish are typically cooked prior to consumption, these pathogens should not present human health hazards. However, it is important for processors and retailers to apply best practices to control pathogens and prevent cross contamination. Aquaculture farms must also work to limit the potential for disease in their growing waters.
Bacterial, Chemical Residues Impact Tilapia Quality (PDF, Global Aquaculture Advocate, January/February 2008)
Both bacterial pathogens and chemical residues can affect the quality of farmed tilapia products. In production systems, Vibrio bacteria quickly proliferate following disease outbreaks. A major disease threat, Streptococcus bacteria can pass from fish to humans who handle them. Some bacteria cause off-flavors, while chemical contamination in fish reduces survival and reproduction while also posing food safety problems.
Improving Local Economics Through Agritourism (Innovations, January 2008)
For over three centuries, Tangier Island has been a treasure of the Chesapeake Bay, supporting a small community based primarily on crab and oyster harvesting. Many residents proudly trace their lineage to the families that initially settled Tangier in the seventeenth century. The islanders of today, however, see a difficult future for Tangier Island’s seafaring economy. Many younger residents have left the island seeking jobs.
Pathogenic Vibrios in Shellfish (PDF, Global Aquaculture Advocate, November/December 2007)
It is important to understand the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in the marine environment to predict potential health concerns transmitted by seafood. Ecological parameters such as nutrient availability, temperature, and salinity influence the presence and persistence of Vibrio bacteria. In coastal environments, mollusks can transmit disease because they are filter-feeding organisms and can concentrate bacteria.
Low-Salinity Fish Production Technology Can Cut Costs, Aid Biosecurity (PDF, Global Aquaculture Advocate, July/August 2007)
New technology based on patented proteins called calcium-sensing receptors allows cobia to adapt and grow in low-salinity environments without the use of genetic modification, drugs, or hormones. As Virginia Cobia Farms begins to apply the receptor method on a commercial basis, research continues on genetic improvement and phase-specific diets for cobia.
Research-Industry Links Assist Cobia Farming Production (PDF, Global Aquaculture Advocate, July/August 2007)
Recent expansion in the cobia sector has been driven by both traditional salmonid producers and new aquaculture ventures in several regions. Ongoing research is advancing larval-rearing regimes, diets, and evaluation methods for the fast-growing fish. The 2005 inception of the International Initiative for Sustainable and Biosecure Aquafarming rapidly accelerated cobia research to the benefit of industry.
Raw Oysters Get a Squeeze (Innovations, January 2007)
High Pressure Processing (HPP) is a food processing method that uses pressure instead of heat to make foods safer, eliminating the majority of harmful bacteria while preserving the food’s natural nutrients, texture, taste, and appearance. The concept of HPP was developed more than 100 years ago, but it was only in the last 15 years that the technology became feasible as a safe technique for processing food.
Virginia Tech Expands Aquaculture Research Efforts (Innovations, January 2007)
A pioneering partnership between Virginia Tech researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Blue Ridge Aquaculture of Martinsville, Va., will determine the feasibility of expanding into land-based marine shrimp co-culture. Blue Ridge Aquaculture, which ships more than 70,000 pounds of tilapia per week, is already the world’s largest indoor aquaculture producer.
Multimedia
Indoor Recirculating Aquaculture (8:28)
Recirculating Aquaculture is a type of fish farming that allows complete control of environmental conditions. Fish are raised in large indoor tanks and the water is systematically cleansed and recycled, providing a healthy environment that is ideal for growth.
Large (23 MB)
All video and audio resources are courtesy of University Relations Office of Visual and Broadcast Communications.
Additional Resources
Sea Grant at Virginia Tech exists to generate and share knowledge about the effective production, marketing, physical distribution, and utilization of safe and wholesome fish and shellfish and their products, and to foster continuous profit, growth and development of the commercial, agricultural, and fisheries industries. Its website has links to publications and other materials about Virginia Tech’s efforts to support the commonwealth’s aquaculture industry.
Extension also has a directory of Extension experts on all of the topics it covers. If you need help locating a source or looking for additional information about aquaculture research or outreach at Virginia Tech, contact Angela Correa at (540) 231-2075. For other topics, contact Michael Sutphin at (540) 231-6975 or Lori Greiner at (540) 231-5863.