Aquaculture is a rapidly changing industry and as the demand for seafood continues to rise, the technologies around this production must keep pace. New developments can be found in all areas of aquaculture such as in engineering (recirculating aquaculture systems and sensors), nutrition (diet formulations), or biology (genetic strains, pharmaceuticals).
One of the exciting areas we are actively engaged is in the development of non-destructive methods to support ocean conservation efforts for the restoration of threatened and endangered marine species.
For example, advances in veterinary diagnostic ultrasound imaging technology are making it possible to evaluate internal organs and reproductive status in aquatic organisms on farms, in conservation hatcheries, or in the field. We are currently studying the effect of ocean climatic conditions on the reproductive competence of endangered abalone species using modern non-invasive medical technology. We are also using ultrasound for sex determination in sturgeon and to evaluate ovary maturation.
Another area we are conducting research on is in technologies to improve egg and fillet quality as well as fish welfare associated with harvest. This research is primarily directed at sturgeon and salmonid aquaculture but also includes laboratory fish husbandry.
