SEABASS IN THE CLASSROOM: AN AQUACULTURE EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Seabass in the Classroom (SITC) education program was developed and initiated by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in 2010 in partnership with, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), and Get Inspired Inc.  The program provides students in southern California the opportunity to learn about aquaculture, fisheries, and seafood by growing juvenile white seabass (WSB) in their classrooms for release into the ocean.  Through this novel, hands-on, STEM classroom program, students are learning about the science and associated technological aspects required to support the growth and sustainability of aquaculture.  A few important aspects of this program include:

• The on-site installation of a purpose-built recirculating marine aquaculture system for culture of white seabass, which requires student participation with system maintenance, water quality monitoring, feeding, food conversion efficiency and basic fish husbandry as a supplement to classroom instruction about the science of aquaculture. 
• Modeling the program after California’s white seabass replenishment program, whereby the students measure, weigh and tag the fish prior to getting a health inspection by the DFW after which they are released into the ocean.
• Discussions of the health of the oceans off southern California and globally; especially as it relates to fisheries resources.
• Understanding the historical trends and relationships of per capita consumption of seafood, global population increases, and production capacities from fishing and aquaculture. 
• Discussions of the health value of eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Currently the program is exposing over 1000 students each year in 11 schools that have conducted 124 classroom growout cycles and released over 3100 fish.