Aquaculture America 2026

February 16 - 19, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Add To Calendar 17/02/2026 12:00:0017/02/2026 12:20:00America/Los_AngelesAquaculture America 2026ADVANCES IN AQUARIUM AQUACULTURE THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT SUPPORTChampagne 3The World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

ADVANCES IN AQUARIUM AQUACULTURE THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT SUPPORT

Alexandra Bohardt, Mersades Hineman, Ty Jobson, Nichole Gatten

Institution: Aquarium of the Pacific



Within the last several decades, aquaculture has become a key part of many public aquaria’s mission statements, for both stocking and conservation. As this area of interest continues to grow in aquariums, the infostructure and resources for aquaculture at these facilities must also expand. The Aquarium of the Pacific (AoP) joined John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL; National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD; the North Carolina Aquariums (Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island at Manteo, and Fort Fisher at Kure Beach); and the University of Massachusetts Boston on a National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Sea Grant program, led by the New England Aquarium, Boston, MA and Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI. This $750,000 capacity building grant was designed to assist aquariums in expanding aquaculture programs and supporting aquaculture educational outreach within these institutions. The AoP has used the NOAA Sea Grant, along with capital funding, to focus on culturing the two-spot banded snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus) and the golden sweeper (Parapriacanthus ransonneti); as well as expanding and improving their live foods program and aquaculture areas. The AoP has also used part of the grant to open the Babies! Gallery. The gallery displays animals aquacultured at the AoP and other facilities, as well as highlights the aquarium’s zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) conservation efforts. The NOAA Sea Grant has helped develop jobs within aquariums, expand programs, and create a community of aquaculture specialists. The AoP will continue to use this momentum to expand their aquaculture programs within the aquarium.