The US Department of Agriculture provides funds and oversight to 5 Regional Aquaculture Centers. Each Center is based at one of the Land Grant Universities in its region and administers research and development activities in support of the aquaculture industry. Since its inception, the Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC) has supported research into trout and other salmonids as directed by its Industry Advisory Committee. Trout species represent one of the most important seafood and recreational products in the USA, and this is especially true in the Western US.
In the WRAC, these research efforts can be broadly divided into genetic and reproductive biology, nutrition and feed technology, fish health, transport and processing, effluents, water quality and engineering designs, and recreation and economic impact. Over the past 40+ years, these research efforts have contributed much to the sustainability of the trout industry as a productive supplier of high-quality seafood for US consumers and the linchpin for one of the most important recreational fisheries in the West. This presentation shares information of some of the highlights of past and present research activities.