Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) leads an integrative program of research, education, policy analysis, and extension activities to advance aquaculture knowledge and practice. Through NOAA supplemental funding, this effort expanded upon previous successes to enhance aquaculture capacity and outcomes in Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay region, and nationally.
MDSG’s research efforts seek to understand, develop or improve upon aquaculture technologies, species and effects in the ecosystem. Recent projects have focused on the Eastern oyster, soft shell clam, and Atlantic salmon. Funding from this award allowed a Sea Grant graduate fellow to investigate using benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) to mitigate sulfide accumulation while harvesting energy from oyster biodeposits. Field and lab experiments have refined BMFC prototypes and demonstrated their potential for enhancing sulfide removal and denitrification.
Sea Grant supported two Law and Policy Fellows that focused on aquaculture and fisheries issues. Efforts addressed lease transfer guidelines and regulatory challenges in siting recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) within the state. Another project supported the Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council’s Relay Working Group and provided an analysis comparing Maryland’s shellfish relay policy to other coastal states.
K-12 Education and workforce development programming has been expanded by a new Aquaculture Education and Professional Development Coordinator. The Aquaculture-in-Action program develops new technologies and provides professional development for K-12 teachers to implement project-based learning in the classroom. The coordinator provided training and technical support to seven partner schools across the state and developed new oyster educational activities that directly engaged hundreds of students.
Extension and coordination efforts expanded through a new Shellfish Hatchery Manager and Extension Specialist at Morgan State University. The specialist provided technical support to growers in Southern Maryland, conducted a needs assessment that led to new disease testing services, and helped research new breeding technologies that are creating new oyster aquaculture lines and expanding opportunities for soft shell clam aquaculture in Maryland.
Together, these coordinated efforts demonstrate Maryland Sea Grant’s commitment to building a robust, interdisciplinary aquaculture program that supports innovation, policy development, education, and industry engagement.