World Aquaculture December 2020

WWW.WA S.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2020 43 broodstock maturation systems for conditioning fish to spawn volitionally, a number of larval rearing and nursery tanks of various volumes for experimental trials and commercial-scale fingerling production, and a variety of replicated systems with tank volumes ranging in size from 50 L to 5,000 L for nutrition studies, nursery, and on- growing trials. Beyond research and academic activities, the UMEH is an incubator of technology and oftentimes a production facility. We work collaboratively with hatcheries and grow-out facilities around the world –including the US, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Peru, the Bahamas, Turkey, Australia and multiple countries in Asia. These international connections are very important when it comes to developing, adapting, perfecting and implementing successful production technologies for the aquaculture sector. At the UMEH, we develop technologies for maturation, spawning, larval husbandry, live feeds, fingerling and juvenile production as well as grow-out trials of high-value marine species. Current and past species with which we have conducted research and development and technology transfer activities at various feasibility levels include: cobia Rachycentron canadum , mahi- mahi Coryphaena hippurus , red snapper Lutjanus campechunus , yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus , Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus , hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus , almaco jack Seriola rivoliana , Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus , blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus , olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus , goggle- eye Selar crumenophthalmus , tripletail Lobotes surinamensis , red drum Sciaenops ocellatus , sea trout Cynoscion nebulosus , snook Centropomus undecimalis and stone crab Menippe mercenaria , among others. One of the primary goals of our program is to conduct research to develop and perfect technologies to explore the aquaculture feasibility of high-value species that are not yet commercially produced. The research program is science-based and centered on advanced hatchery, land-based (RAS and flow-through) and open- ocean grow-out technologies of marine fish. In this article, we provide an update on some current activities being conducted with some of the selected species. T he University of Miami Aquaculture Program has been playing a major role in spearheading advanced aquaculture technologies. Research and academic programs are centered on innovative approaches to ensure that seafood production is science-based, wholesome, environmentally sustainable and economically viable. We are engaged in collaborations around the world and are recognized for our contributions to the field – particularly for the development of challenging and high-value marine species, technology transfer activities and the education and training of top professionals at all levels. Academic and Research ProgramOverview The academic program encompasses undergraduate and graduate level courses covering everything from basic concepts to science, environment, management, social and economic aspects of sustainable aquaculture, regulatory issues, business and production models, all the way to seafood market and marketing. At the graduate level, students have the opportunity to pursue Master of Professional Science (MPS), Master of Science (MS), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Undergraduate and graduate students are trained in state-of-the-art aquaculture techniques and technologies, as well as advanced research skills that prepare them for careers in the public and private sectors. The program thrives on innovative research and development concepts focusing on emerging technologies. The UMAquaculture Program has graduated and trained over 150 professionals who are leading the field operating in all aspects of aquaculture –from academic, research, and government positions, with a majority working in the private sector. The UMAquaculture Program consistently attracts highly-motivated and hard-working applicants, and the majority of our graduate students engage in paid internships with most being hired before or just after graduating. Job placement for our graduates has historically been nearly 100 percent. Our network extends literally the world over, and our talent pipeline is the program’s best asset. A central component of the Program is the renowned, GlobalGAP-certified, University of Miami Experimental Hatchery (UMEH), with dry and wet laboratory facilities, numerous Marine Finfish Aquaculture Research and Development at the University of Miami Daniel Benetti, John Stieglitz, Jorge Suarez, Ron Hoenig, Carlos Tudela, Zack Daugherty, Charles James McGuigan, Jia Geng, Shubham Mathur, Yole Buchalla, Julio Camperio, Luiz Anchieta Greenhouses at University of Miami Experimental Hatchery. ( C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 4 4 )