Increasing economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture production systems through aquatic plant culture

2007 Annual Report for LNE05-224

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2005: $159,309.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2008
Matching Federal Funds: $27,723.00
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $88,044.00
Region: Northeast
State: Maryland
Project Leader:
Andrew Lazur
University of Maryland Ctr. for Environmental Sci.

Increasing economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture production systems through aquatic plant culture

Summary

This project will provide aquaculture producers in the Northeast an opportunity to understand the variety of aquatic plant species and their market potential; learn how to integrate plants into their production systems through tiered workshops, training and applied research and demonstration projects utilizing the three productions systems: raceways or flow-through (WVU) , recirculating tank systems (UMD) and ponds (DSU); understand the economic potential by review of economic analyses of each demonstration project; and receive implementation support through targeted technical support programming.

In 2007, the integrated fish/plant demonstration projects were conducted for a second year in Delaware and Maryland. In the Delaware system using iris and swamp hibiscus as nutrient filters in a baitfish pond system, plant growth was relatively minimal with a 50% gain in growth over the season. Only a slight reduction in total phosphorus was observed. This was most likely due to the limited availability of nutrients in the water due to the relatively low fish biomass and associated low feeding rate, the main source of nitrogen and phosphorus. Improvement in plant growth would require higher fish feeding rates or proper sizing of plant stocking rate to fish feeding rate.

In the Maryland striped bass tank and plant integrated system, swamp hibiscus and marsh mallow were used. The plant growth results were much reduced from the 2006 plant growth with swamp hibiscus and Spartina. Upon stocking plants were observed to be in a relatively poor state being tall with little leaf presence. In addition, it was determined after the fact that the plants were held in freshwater at the nursery and upon stocking in the 10 ppt salinity integrated culture system, the salinity shock may have severely reduced growth for an extended period. Plants recovered and grew for the remainder of the season, but biomass production, and therefore nutrient uptake, was less than 20% of the 2006 results.

Information on project objectives, plant species and markets, and 2006 and 2007 plant production results were presented at three workshops in Delaware and two workshops in West Virginia with a total attendance of 147. Tours of the three systems were provided to 1,346 people including students, resource managers, government officials and private citizens. Project scope and results were presented in one abstract, three articles, and four presentations at state, regional or national meetings. Two farmers in West Virginia implemented a plant fish integrated system in 2007.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objectives of this project are to educate aquaculturists in using aquatic plants as a means of nutrient filtration and producing a marketable secondary crop. Potential farmers have been educated through workshops, tours of the systems and individual farm reviews and specific on-site recommendations. Of the hundreds of people educated in 2007, two farmers in West Virginia implemented a fish/plant integrated system. Other farmers interested in the concept have not made a final decision to initiate an integrated system for their production operations.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Information on project objectives, plant species and markets, and 2006 and 2007 plant production results were presented at three workshops in Delaware and two workshops in West Virginia with a total attendance of 147. Tours of the three systems were provided to 1,346 people including students, resource managers, government officials and private citizens. Project scope and results were presented in one abstract, three articles, and four presentations at state, regional or national meetings. Two farmers in West Virginia implemented a plant fish integrated system in 2007.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

In 2007 over 3,000 people were reached by workshops, tours, articles and presentations. Other individuals were reached by website access, but no enumeration vehicle is in place to access the breadth of education. 2007 production milestones in the Delaware and Maryland integrated systems included important plant handling/management practices and emphasized the critical need for sizing of the plant filtration and plant density to feed input. Specifically in brackish water systems, it is essential to use nursery seedling plants cultured in brackish water to prevent salinity shock. It is possible that seedlings are more sensitive to changes in water quality than more mature plants. The relatively limited growth of plants in the Delaware baitfish pond/plant system verified was a result of limited nutrient concentrations in the pond water due to relatively low feeding rate. Plans for 2008 will investigate analyzing plant growth and nutrient uptake data for the 2006 and 2007 seasons in attempt to provide valuable plant to fish stocking ratios to enhance efficiency of the three systems.

For 2007, two farmers implemented an integrated system on their fish operations.

Collaborators:

Dennis McIntosh

dmcintosh@desu.edu
Assistant Professor/ Extension Specialist
Delaware State University
1200 N. DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Office Phone: 3028576456
Roger Viadero

rcviadero@mail.wvu.edu
Assistant Professor
West Virginia University
647 Engineering Science Bldg
P.O. Box 6103
Morgantown, WV 26506
Office Phone: 3042933031
Kenneth Semmens

ken.semmens@mail.wvu.edu
Associate Professor/Extension Speacialist
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6108
Agricultural Sciences Bldg, Room 1052
Morgantown, WV 26506-6108
Office Phone: 3042936131
Todd West

tpwest@mail.wvu.edu
Assistant Professor
West Virginia University
Plant and Soil Sciences
P.O. Box 6108
Morgantown, WV 26506
Office Phone: 3042936023
Karen Buzby

karen.buzby@mail.wvu.edu
Post-Doc Fellow
West Virginia University
Civil and Environmental Engineering
P.O. Box 6103
Morgantown, WV 26506
Office Phone: 3042933031
Dick Shuck

dick@marylandaquatic.com
Owner
Maryland Aqautic Nurseries
3427 North Furnace Road
Jarretsville, MD 21084
Office Phone: 4105577615
Website: www.marylandaquatic.com