Harvesting Innovation: Enhancing Sustainable Aquaculture with FLUPSY Technology

Shellfish farming in the United States faces numerous challenges, including limited seed stock availability and crop protection, water quality concerns, lack of equipment, and limited waterfront access. Limited seed production and availability in many parts of the northeast, especially on Long Island is of growing concern for it will likely hinder the aquaculture industry's potential to continue to grow. Additionally, many stakeholders, such as marinas and shoreline homeowners may not fully understand the economic and ecological benefits of a FLUPSY system. This project aims to address the challenge of obtaining healthy seed and demonstrate to stakeholders the ecological benefits shellfish aquaculture nursery systems by deploying a 24-barrel FLUPSY. The FLUPSY will be used to collect data on seed stock resilience and water quality enhancement. The intention of this project to establish best practices that can be used as a model for other growers to follow to help increase their productivity as a farm while mitigating negative environmental impact and improving stakeholder relationships.

The purpose of our proposed project is to assess the viability and benefits of FLUPSY technology in enhancing oyster farming in the Peconic Bay Estuary System and greater Northeast region. By conducting this research, we seek to advance current knowledge in aquaculture practices, providing evidence-based insights to promote sustainable aquaculture.

The industry's need for this project is evident in the increasing demand for sustainable seafood and the urgent necessity to mitigate environmental impacts. Quantifying the potential economic, social, and environmental impacts, our project anticipates positive outcomes for farmers and coastal communities such as improved water quality, cultivation of more resilient seed stock, and enhanced farm productivity. If the aquaculture industry is expected to grow to its greatest potential, farmers must be able to obtain healthy seed and know how to handle their seed in the nursery phase. For many farmers in the northeast, investing in a FLUPSY is large expense. Understanding the economic benefits of a FLUPSY due to increased survival and growth rates of seed housed within would create more incentive for farmers to invest. Furthermore, demonstrating the ecological benefits could help foster better reception of FLUPSYs with landbased stakeholders, allowing for better access to waterfront space.

The expected impact of our solution aligns with Northeast SARE’s outcome statement and several aspects of sustainable aquaculture. By enhancing farm productivity, FLUPSYs can increase farm profitability be increasing growth rates and survival of juvenile oysters and help create new employment opportunities in coastal communities. Additionally, by optimizing growth conditions, farms that run FLUPSYs can provide neighboring oyster farms with viable seed stock, thereby advancing increased production and economic opportunities for the broader aquaculture community. Rigorous data collection methods will be established to monitor both water quality and the mortality rates of the seed stock. This data will serve as crucial evidence to encourage the adoption of FLUPSYs by other farmers and marinas as well as support the expansion of the USDA's Shellfish Pilot Crop Insurance Program, providing financial stability for other shellfish growers. Ultimately, our project aims to address multiple barriers the aquaculture industry faces as a means to improve the quality of life for shellfish farmers, their families, and the farming community.