A researcher at the University of Maine at Machias, USA has received a US$600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the potential for new aquaculture markets for two shellfish in Maine. The research aims to improve the growth and survival of blue mussels and Arctic surfclams in an effort to create new economic opportunities.
The grant, awarded through NSF’s Partnerships for Innovation programme, will provide two years of funding as researchers at the university’s marine field station at the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education look at ways to enhance shellfish rearing methods and explore the commercial production potential of the two species. A major component of the project involves collaboration with two regional seafood businesses – Cooke Aquaculture and A.C. Inc.
Brian Beal, a professor of marine ecology at UMM and the lead investigator on the grant, says that the project will focus on improving aquaculture methods for growing blue mussels and Arctic surf clams for commercial markets, while also providing the partnering businesses with valuable market research on new aquaculture operations.
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| Español: Un plato de nerites, género Neritina del Río Rajang, Sarawak, Malasia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
