Technology Transfer of Self Cleaning Larval Rearing Tanks to Improve Microbial Control in Fish Hatcheries

To improve larval survival we will work in a step-wise manner.  First we will transfer existing overseas technology for self-cleaning larval rearing tanks to San Diego.  Secondly, we will test that technology on three species of marine fish with varying performance traits - California yellowtail (CYT, Seriola lalandi) white seabass (WSB, Atractoscion nobilis) and California halibut (CH, Paralichthys californicus).  Based on our experience and the reported findings of others, we expect that the application of this technology will significantly improve growth and survival of the larvae and reduce labor costs.  

If this expectation holds true, the technology will readily be adopted by the U.S. aquaculture industry after the results are broadly disseminated by our extension specialist and other team members.  Once adopted broadly by the industry, our goal will have been achieved – greater and more consistent marine finfish production at a reduced (more competitive) cost.  As policy and a regulatory framework to enable marine finfish aquaculture become a reality, supplies of fingerlings will be a bottleneck to industry creation and this work seeks to improve production capacity to prevent that.  The progress and success of greater and more consistent production will be incorporated into the curriculum for the Seabass in the Classroom project allowing students to see how the practice of aquaculture is growing and changing.

Research Updates:

2017:
Self-cleaning Aquaculture Tank Technology Improves Larval Survival of Marine Finfish

The project has successfully tested the new self-cleaning tank against traditional tank designs for both white seabass and California yellowtail. Larval production yield was robust, and the project even achieved record levels of yellowtail production. Public demonstrations of the pilot project have been shared at meetings and a scaled-down version of the new tank system has been incorporated into the Seabass in the Classroom program at Port of Los Angeles High School. After presentations and prototype displays at aquaculture tradeshows, Ocean Design has sold seven units, demonstrating a successful industry application of this USC Sea Grant research. This new technology will have an economic benefit, saving labor costs in husbandry.

2016:
Aquaculture Research Brings New Self-Cleaning Tank Technology to U.S. 

The project has now incorporated new technology and rigorously tested, modified, and re-tested the functionality and efficiency of self-cleaning aquaculture tanks using two different species of marine fish.  Each of the two species – white seabass, and California yellowtail – has unique behaviors and associated culture requirements, together covering a spectrum applicable to other aquaculture species in the United States.

This success has set up next phase of the project where the new tank design will be tested against traditional tank designs. Public demonstrations of the pilot project have been shared at meetings and a version of the new tank system has been incorporated into the Seabass in the Classroom program at the Port of Los Angeles High School. Students released their second batch of seabass into Cabrillo Harbor on May 26, 2016.