The Smart, Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture Management (S3AM) program integrates the disciplines of Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Economics and Aquaculture from the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific regions to pursue five supporting objectives through research, education, and Extension activities. These include 1) Developing enabling technologies and management solutions to improve coastal farm productivity and profitability nationwide. 2) Validating S3AM technology through laboratory and farm trials. 3) Modeling and assessing the economic impacts of S3AM technology. 4) Integrating S3AM-generated knowledge into undergraduate and 4H education and outreach activities to enhance the future aquaculture workforce. 5) Building a nationwide extension network to engage stakeholders, disseminate S3AM information, and assess project outcomes.
The S3AM project uses a system-based approach to develop and implement new technologies and management practices that address shellfish aquaculture industry needs, and identify economic barriers/opportunities, to improve farming efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Research over the 5 years of the program will be discussed