OCAD’s Research has been focused on improvement of broodstock, production techniques and recirculating aquaculture systems for yellow perch Perca flavescens, bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, baitfish species and assessing impact of aquaculture outreach training program using both long-term strategies and short-term applied production research, aimed to increase the productivity, innovation, and profitability of Ohio aquaculture operations, while respecting the underlying need to promote environmental sustainability and good stewardship.

Ohio Aquaculture Research and Development Integration Program in significant  progress

The seafood deficit in the US was $7.8 billion in 2005 and is the largest contributor as a food item and agricultural product to the US trade deficit. The combination of a stronger domestic economy and increased attention on health is expected to continually increase demand for seafood (i.e., general and domestic seafood and aquaculture products in particular). Ohio has exceptional resources suitable for aquaculture operations, and land and water resources are plentiful in many parts of the state. Interest in developing and expanding aquaculture operations for Ohio and the Midwest continues to remain very strong. With previous support of federal funds, the Ohio State University has established five long-term programs and one new aqua-genetics laboratory aimed at providing outstanding scientific and outreach capabilities to support the continued development of aquaculture in Ohio and the Midwest. These five programs and the aquaculture genetics laboratory are experiencing significant progress and impacts.

• O’GIFT (Ohio Genetic Improvement of Farmed-fish Traits) Program: Eight strains of yellow perch were obtained from eight states and stock evaluations have been completed. Two thousand genetically superior broodfish were selected as the base breeding population for the long-term selective breeding program. To date, two improved lines of perch have been produced and distributed to farmers and a research facility for initial commercial-scale tests. Current research data show that the two improved lines grow 39.8% and 18.3% faster than unimproved fish. We have completed two out of eight steps for developing technology to produce genetically male bluegill that would grow 40-50% faster than a mixed-gender population. The O’GIFT program is expected to increase aquaculture production and efficiency of perch and bluegill by 35-50% by developing genetically improved broodstocks.

• Bowling Green Aquaculture Center and BAIT Program: The Bowling Green Aquaculture Center (BAC) and Baitfish Aquaculture Advancement in Technology (BAIT) program have been established. Three low-cost, commercially available recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are being tested. Several experiments and outreach efforts with baitfish and RAS are in progress. The presence of this new facility and staff is having a significant impact on aquaculture operations in northwest Ohio by providing technical consultations, demonstrations, and dissemination of research results.

• Fish Production Improvement Program: New pond fertilization regimens for yellow perch production have led to a 30% increase in the number of perch juveniles, and have been put to use on several commercial yellow perch farms. Bluegill and perch in combined culture grew 41.5% and 13.2% faster than in monoculture, respectively. These findings will have important practical significance for producers by increasing perch and bluegill production efficiency and lowering production costs.

• Muscle growth and quality program: New information from muscle studies will continue to be useful in identifying genes unique to enhanced muscle growth and development. This information will assist with selection of faster growing strains. A similar approach could be used to assist selection for muscle quality parameters.

• AT2 (Aquaculture technology transfer) program: AT2 is dedicated to supporting sustainable development of aquaculture. The program strives to provide for the information and training needs of the aquaculture industry. This enhances the return on investment of the federal dollars.

• New Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Lab (AGBL): This is the first lab of its type in the Midwest. The AGBL, combined with existing wet lab and pond facilities at the OSU South Centers in Piketon, contributes a unique, first-rate aquaculture program in the Midwest.

• Impacts: Aquaculture sales in Ohio have nearly doubled from $1,788,000 in 1997 to $3,185,000 in 2005. Nationally, Ohio ranks first in pounds of yellow perch sold and fourth in sales of sport fish. Previously unranked, aquaculture now ranks fifteenth in Ohio for value of agriculture products sold. Twenty-nine journal articles and abstracts have been published or completed.

Funded and funding projects:

•  Integrated genetic improvement of yellow perch broodstock through marker assisted selection. 09/2003 – 03/2008.
•  Developing mass production technology of genetically male bluegill (GMB) populations and broodstock 09/2003 – 03/2008.
•  Identify gene products underlying the mechanisms of muscle growth in yellow perch. 09/2003 – 03/2008.
•  New species or strain exploration for Ohio aquaculture industry – Determining the efficacy of culture of Georgia Giant bluegill in comparison with regular bluegill and hybrid bluegill. 09/2005 – 09/2007.
•  Comparison of commercially-available diets on final growout of the spotfin shiner, Cyprinella spiloptera. 09/2005 – 09/2007
• Identify market potential of Ohio cultured golden shiners. 09/2005 – 09/2007
• Outreach training on commercial recirculating aquaculture systems. 09/2005 – 09/2007.
• Measuring impact of outreach training program of fresh water shrimp culture. 09/2005 – 09/2007.
• Assessing impact of a university supported aquaculture program on aquaculture industry development in that state. 09/2005 – 09/2007.
• Assessing health care professionals knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the benefits and safety of farm-raised seafood. 09/2005 – 09/2007.
• Effect of baitfish and freshwater prawn polyculture on production efficiency. Low density culture of golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas and freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii, with monoculture control groups. 09/2004 – 09/2006.
• Development of culture techniques for alternative bait species spotfin shiner Cyprinella spiloptera and hornyhead chub Nicomis bigguttatus. 09/2004 – 09/2006.
• Effect of different recirculating aquaculture systems on the production of yellow perch and bluegill sunfish in polyculture. 09/2004 – 09/2006.
• Effect of different recirculating aquaculture systems on the production of market-size largemouth bass. 09/2004 – 09/2006.
• Evaluation of the attributes, continuing education and training needs of farmers converting agriculture buildings to fish farms. 09/2004 – 09/2006.
• Establishment of mostly-male groups of bluegill through size grading and assessment of their growth potential vs. mixed-sex groups in commercial scale. 09/2003 – 09/2006.
• Evaluating benefits in terms of improved growth rates, from rearing mostly-male bluegills under compensatory growth feeding regimes in indoor recirculating tanks. 09/2003 – 09/2006.
• Determining the efficacy of duoculture of yellow perch and bluegill in increasing growth rate and reducing social costs of both species in cages. 09/2003 – 09/2006.

• Maximizing muscle growth and quality in yellow perch. 09/2003 – 09/2004.
• Comparing sensory properties and consumer liking of cultured yellow perch, zander, ocean perch and walleye. 09/2003 – 09/2004.
• Eliminating Barriers to the Economical Production of Yellow Perch in Ohio. 03/2001 – 02/2003
• Effects of Alternative Production Systems on the Culture of Feed-Trained Yellow Perch Fingerlings to Market Size. 10/2001 – 11/2004
• On-Farm Feasibility Trials of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Culture in Southern Ohio Farm Ponds. 05/2002 – 12/2002
• Effect of latitude on culture and production of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. 05/2003 – 12/2003

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