Aquaculture Research

Acted

Welcome to the Aquaculture Center for Training, Education and Demonstration, also known as ACTED.

Our mission is to educate and develop a highly skilled workforce, through practical education and training, that will support competitive and sustainable aquaculture industries.

Education and training programs include intensive courses, degree programs, customized training, secondary school field trips, and teacher workshops. Students benefit from learning in an environment where our research projects and production facilities are their training field. Key concepts and new technologies from each research program are incorporated into the curriculum, hands-on activities, and course manuals that we provide to students.

From overfishing and pollution to warming seas, the oceans face an unprecedented level of threats. With declining wild fish stocks, a human population estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050 and an increasing demand for seafood, aquaculture is the world’s fastest growing food sector—and it’s only going to continue to increase. There has never been a more critical time to find solutions for food needs while preserving the world’s fisheries.

"It’s critically important that the U.S. gets good at developing aquaculture in the U.S., and we are going to help with that enormously at Harbor Branch. It’s a part of our strategic plan.” —Jim Sullivan, Ph.D. Executive Director The strategic priorities in this research focus area are to grow collaborative research in aquaculture production with the USDA-ARS and commercial partners, continue to enhance our technology development to support increased production, including IMTA systems, autonomous monitoring and AI control technologies for use in aquaculture, and to provide innovative aquaculture solutions to support restoration efforts for locally threatened species of seagrasses, clams, corals and fish.

Partnerships The Power of Partnerships

Much of our research over the decades has been collaborative in nature. We have partnered with companies (established and start-up), government agencies and academic colleagues to refine the boundaries of what’s possible in aquaculture, and we’re always open to discussing new ideas.
Harbor Branch partners with: 

Aquaculture scientists at FAU Harbor Branch are working on a $3 million grant-funded project designed to help Florida’s multi-billion dollar sportfishing industry. The research, funded by a grant from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is the first of its kind and involves the design and testing of an experimental research project to grow bonefish for stock enhancement.

Fish farming researchers at FAU Harbor Branch are now lending their knowledge and experience to a world-renowned leader in aquafeed technology, Zeigler Bros., Inc. The collaboration focuses on the development of high quality and more sustainable shrimp feeds. The work involves applied studies on how diet affects the growth, health and quality of shrimp and fish.