Aquaculture RTD in Wales

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Aquaculture RTD in Wales

• Robin Shields

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Scope of Presentation

• Strategic objectives of aquaculture development
  in Wales
• Aquaculture funding mechanisms in Wales
• Industry status
• Aquaculture Wales Programme scope, recent
  accomplishments and work in progress

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Strategic Objectives of Aquaculture Development
in Wales

• Realise new economic opportunities for rural and
  post-industrial areas
• Develop and apply environmentally sustainable,
  integrated production methods
• Implement land-based farming of selected species
  using biosecure RAS
• Foster existing industry sectors, eg seabed
  cultivation of bivalves

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Aquaculture funding mechanisms in Wales

• FIFG
• ERDF
• EAGGF
• Interreg
• WDA and WAG
• National research councils and government
  agencies
• HEFCW
• EU FP

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Industry Status in Wales

• Seabed cultivation of mussels 6,000T
• Rainbow trout (table and stocking) 600T
• Recirculating aquaculture systems
  suppliers/consultants
• Turbot 200T
• Sea bass 20T farm operational 1,200T under
  development
• Marine polychaete worms 50T, expansion underway
  
• Shore crab cultivation pilot project
• Genetically male tilapia broodstock and juvenile
  supply

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Aquaculture Wales (AqWa)

• Pan-Wales initiative supported by
• ERDF, Research Innovation
• Welsh Assembly Government, Pathways to Prosperity
  
• Welsh Development Agency
• University of Wales Swansea
• Phase 1, 2003-2006
• Over-arching theme Integrated, Sustainable
  Aquaculture Practices

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AqWa Phase 1 Objectives

• Establish RAS-based aquaculture research
  facilities
• Develop applied RTD programme to assist industry
  expansion/diversification in Wales
• Engage in vocational education and training
• Provide information and advice to regional
  government industry
• Act as an interface for Welsh aquaculture at a
  national level

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AqWa Recent Accomplishments

• Infrastructure development
• Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research
  (CSAR)
• MSc course development Aquaculture and the
  Environment
• Research and teaching appointments
• Industry surveys LANTRA/WDA
• Grant acquisition
• EU FP6 AquaEtreat.
• PhD studentships (NERC CASE)
• Microbial processes in bioremediation wetlands
• Immune defence mechanisms in cultured crabs

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Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research (CSAR)
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CSAR

• 750m2 environment-controlled building
• Two industry grade RAS, each 30,000L operating
  volume
• Hatchery/nursery ( separate live feeds systems)
• Ongrowing
• Flexible design
• Temperature (12-27oC)
• Lighting
• Freshwater/marine
• Scheduled to be commissioned January 05

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Aquaculture Wales Work in Progress

• Commission CSAR - January 2005
• Implement RTD programme on aquatic animal
  production in RAS
• Construct demonstration aquaponics facility
• Initiate effluent processing research