Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Title: Tagging of Horseshoe Crabs in Conjunction with Commercial Harvesters and the Biomedical Industry in South Carolina
Principal Investigator: Larry DeLancey, S.C. Department of Natural Resources
Project Number: R/CF-14
An appreciable number of short-term bleeding effect studies have been
conducted on horseshoe crabs (HSC), but few published long-term studies
exist. This study will aid in better assessing potential impacts on the
HSC population in South Carolina. By cooperating with this study, the
biomedical company will contribute to the long-term management goal of a
sustainable fishery. These short-term studies can contribute to
evaluating current practices and future management policy.
This research will (1) determine long-term mortality effects of bleeding
HSC by the biomedical industry in South Carolina beginning in 2010, (2)
determine short-term mortality effects of tagging bled female HSCs by
holding in saltwater pond, and (3) reexamine short term effects of
bleeding by holding bled and unbled HSCs in pond.
Contact:
Larry DeLancey
delanceyl@dnr.sc.gov
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/
Title: Drought and Decline of Blue Crabs in South Carolina
Principal Investigator: Michael Childress, Clemson University
Project Number: R/CF-15
The factor most correlated with the recent decline in the annual blue
crab landings is increasing salinity from drought. This project will
identify the specific mechanism linking salinity to declining crab
landings, and evaluate how this issue may be ameliorated by changes in
current fishing regulations. Fishermen, resource managers and marine
ecologists will all potentially benefit from increased knowledge of how
drought will impact the future of SC blue crabs.
The first objective is to experimentally test three hypotheses as to why
blue crab landings are negatively correlated with increased salinity.
The second is to develop specific recommendations regarding the impact
of disease, climate change, and current fisheries management practices
on the future of the blue crab fishery. Finally, the PIs will present
findings to fishermen, resource managers, and the general public through
regular public presentations, State of the Basin reports, and a blue
crab forecasting workshop.
Contact:
Michael Childress
mchildr@clemson.edu
http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/biosci/faculty_staff/childress_m.html
Title: Development of Non-Lethal Genetic Techniques for Age and
Sex Determination in Two Recreationally Important Fishes in South Carolina
Principal Investigator: Tanya Darden, S.C. Department of Natural Resources
Project Number: R/CF-16
Cobia and red drum were selected based on their importance to the
recreational fishery in South Carolina as well as the southeastern US.
Both are currently managed species that lack critical life history
parameters for all or a portion of their life stages and therefore,
future assessments and management will substantially benefit from the
inclusion of information developed from these tools.
The three research objectives are to (1) develop and test genetic aging
tools for red drum and cobia, (2) develop and test sex-linked molecular
markers for red drum and cobia, and (3) disseminate and publicize
project results.
Contact:
Tanya Darden
dardent@dnr.sc.gov
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/
Title: Evaluating the comparative survival and growth of diploid and triploid single Eastern oysters in South Carolina
Principal Investigator: Peter R. Kingsley-Smith, S.C. Department of Natural Resources
Project Number: R/CF-17
Triploid oysters have been shown to have higher rates of survival and
growth and generate higher meat yields than diploids. The most
effective method of producing triploids requires access to proprietary
tetraploid technology. With the committed support of 4Cs Breeding
Technology, Inc., the company that sub-licenses this technology to
commercial hatcheries, the proposed work will provide valuable and
previously unavailable data on the field performance of triploid Eastern
oysters in South Carolina waters, thereby informing future investments
in this technology.
The project objectives aim to (1) develop naturally mated diploid (2n VA
♂ x 2n SC ♀) and triploid (4n VA ♂ x 2n SC ♀) Eastern oysters at the
Island Fresh Seafood, Inc. hatchery in South Carolina, (2) investigate
the comparative survival, growth and meat yields of diploid and triploid
Eastern oysters deployed at field sites encompassing a range of
estuarine areas, salinities and tidal regimes in South Carolina, (3)
implement efficient spat removal by physical agitation (tumbling) to
produce marketable single Eastern oysters and make valid comparisons of
diploid and triploid survival and growth rates, and (4) apply the
results of this study to an objective evaluation of the merits of
developing tetraploid oyster technology in South Carolina at a
commercially-viable scale.
Contact:
Peter R. Kingsley-Smith
kingsleysmithp@dnr.sc.gov
http://spinner.cofc.edu/marine/directory/individuals/ecology/kingsley-smith.html?referrer=webcluster&
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/
Title: Commercialization of Bait Shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus)
Aquaculture through Year-Round Production in Indoor Facilities Using
Clear Water and Biotic-based Culture Systems
Principal Investigator: John Leffler, S.C. Department of Natural Resources
Project Number: R/A-34
The efficacy of commercially produced shrimp for use as bait by
fishermen in S.C. is currently unknown. One of the factors to establish
this industry is to develop and optimize protocols that will enable
year-round grow-out production of bait shrimp. The proposed work will
experimentally answer questions of concern to potential growers and will
disseminate information to those interested in developing the industry.
The goal of this project is to build on our experience with captive
breeding of L. setiferus in order to advance commercialization of a
viable bait shrimp industry in South Carolina and the Southeast. Having
demonstrated the operation of a L. setiferus hatchery, we will focus
specifically on the next stage, i.e. the grow-out phase, by addressing
two simple questions/hypotheses: First, can L. setiferus be grown
economically from PL to marketable (6 g) size in indoor culture systems
that are an appropriate size and design to simulate commercial grow-out
conditions? Second, can information about protocols and market potential
be effectively disseminated so that new bait shrimp farming enterprises
start up in South Carolina by the end of this project?
Contact:
John Leffler
lefflerj@dnr.sc.gov
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/
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Last updated: 2/13/2012 3:28:22 PM
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