WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2013 71 U.S. AQUACULTURE SOCIETY Sponsored Publications Request for Proposals The USAS is seeking proposals for publications, including books, conference proceedings, fact sheets, pictorials, hatchery or production manuals, data compilations, and other materials that are important to U.S. aquaculture development and that will be of benefit to USAS members. Individuals wishing to have a project considered for funding by the USAS should prepare a proposal — guidelines are available on the website www.was.org. Conditions for Publication: The USAS Board of Directors will rate proposals and select projects for publication. The successful applicant will serve as co-author; however, depending on contribution to the publication, the applicant may not necessarily serve as chief or sole author. The USAS will cover general publication and distribution costs for one or more projects up to $5,000 each year. However, special consideration will be given to worthwhile projects that exceed this limit. No compensation will be provided to the authors for their time spent in writing the publication. The publication will be property of the USAS and will be sold through the WAS bookstore. See details on submitting a proposal on the next page or contact: DR. WADE O. WATANABE Tel: 910-962-2941 • Email: watanabew@uncw.edu aquaponics and experiences growing halophytes such as Salsola soda and Salicornia bigelovii. I made a presentation on Human Nutrition and Food Security and introduced the audience to the GILLS (Global Initiative for Life & Leadership through Seafood) project. I discussed the health benefits of consuming seafood and the importance of “Small Fish” in Asian diets. The GILLS strategy is to promote research on seafood production and consumption by encouraging privatepublic-university collaborations. Farshad Shishehchian described how mixotrophic shrimp aquaculture systems can improve production with minimal water exchange. The novelty of using mineral mixes to manage water productivity while reducing water exchange generated a vigorous discussion. Jed Brown described an integrated seawater aquacultureagriculture project for energy production at MASDAR Institute in Abu Dhabi. The 200-ha project will include fish farming, halophyte production and mangrove wetlands. There are difficulties constructing ponds in sabkha (salt flat) soils in areas with very shallow groundwater tables. There are also problems with excessive salinity in areas of the region where source water is warm and very saline and evaporation from aquaculture ponds is very high. He presented plans for production of fish and Salicornia and calculations for fuel production from the oil seeds. Yousef Haik, Professor in Mechanical Engineering at UAEU, described a project that produces algae for biofuels and how those are then processed and used. He discussed the fundamental parameters of producing commercially viable biodiesel and how this fuel compares with fossil diesel when tested in engines. They are currently testing the fuel in a vehicle on the university campus. He also presented novel techniques to synthesize phase-change materials that have substantial potential in energy conservation, particularly when utilized in building materials. Finally he shared methods to produce carbon nanotubes from algae waste. David Ordway, Project Leader at General Atomics, San Diego, USA presented his company’s experiences in mass algae cultivation for high-performance fuel applications and the benefits of growing algae in arid lands to supply a protein-rich substitute for fishmeal in aquafeeds. Proper algae strain selection and growing methods increase productivity while decreasing contamination in open systems. Imad Saoud returned to discuss a project that integrates tilapia aquaculture with traditional irrigation to improve water productivity in arid regions. Integration reduces wasted water and the need for chemical fertilizers. A new project uses wastewater from dairy farms to produce bio-gas, grow duckweed, remove solids for composting, produce fish and use the water for crop irrigation. Lukas Manomaitis moderated discussions on a vision for aquaculture in the region and future collaboration. The importance of technology transfer and adaptation to the success of an emerging aquaculture industry in the region was emphasized. Discussions covered issues such as increasing the involvement of women and methods to integrate aquaculture with other production businesses. For significant arid land aquaculture to occur in the region, there has to be strong collaboration and sharing of ideas and increased inter-country discussion. There was strong interest by participants to make this an annual event and to convene in other parts of the MENA region. Aridland, continued from page 18
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