THE INSTITUTE OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY (IMET) – UNIQUE MARINE AQUACULTURE PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATIONS

Yonathan Zohar*
Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD 21202
Zohar@umbc.edu

One of the major research areas at the University of Maryland Institute of Marine and
Environmental Technology (IMET) is sustainable marine aquaculture. Specifically, the use of
modern platforms of biology and biotechnology for the development of environmentally
responsible and economically feasible recirculating marine aquaculture systems. The mission
and formal charge of IMET emphasizes research, education and economic development, thus
we work closely with the aquaculture industry in the US and globally. IMET’s Aquaculture

Research Center (ARC) is a unique 2,000 m2 state-of-the-art, fully contained, recirculating
research and development facility that focuses on aquaculture-related studies including
reproduction, spawning and hatchery technologies, fish health, nutrition and alternative feeds,
and the development and optimization of recirculating marine aquaculture systems. ARC
contains multiple tanks of 2-20 m3 as well as many replicated systems of smaller tanks. A
computerized system maintains full control over the photoperiod, water temperature (10-30oC)
and salinity (0-36 PPT) in each of the tanks. ARC also includes a hatchery wing with dedicated
algae culture, live feeds and larval rearing systems (ranging from 0.5-6 m3). The broad range of
environmental conditions available at ARC, and its total biosecurity, have enabled us to conduct
research and development programs with multiple fish species, including striped bass,
European seabass, Mediterranean seabream, cobia, amberjack, sablefish, bluefin tuna, Atlantic
salmon, coho salmon, and rainbow trout, among others. For many years, we have engaged in
public-private partnerships with multiple commercial and non-academic partners in the US and
beyond. Notably, IMET recently received a NOAA/Sea Grant award to lead a national publicprivate-
government consortium titled: “Building capacity of land-based Atlantic salmon
aquaculture in the US”. This consortium, referred to as the Recirculating Aquaculture Salmon
Network (RAS-N), integrates several academic and research institutions and major industrial
partners to advance research, education, training, outreach, workforce development and the
economic feasibility of this emerging industry in the US. IMET and ARC are cugng-edge
operations within the University System of Maryland that are available for collaborations aimed
at empowering the marine aquaculture industry in the United States.