Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

This Applied Research Tools and Instruments proposal will provide North Island College's Centre for Applied Research Technology and Innovation (NIC-CARTI) with the equipment required to support our expanding coastal aquaculture research program - our new initiative focused on shellfish production and the challenges associated with climate change. With changing ocean conditions (e.g., acidification) growers are facing increasing issues with juvenile (seed) supply and survival. Seed is produced in large hatchery facilities that supply much of the industry ... hundreds of farm sites. However, the inherent issue is that environmental change is not happening uniformly along the coast and thus seed produced in large quantities in one area may no longer be viable in areas that may be affected differently due to local oceanographic processes - differential warming, upwelling of low pH water, etc. This research is exploring the benefits of building farm-specific seed production units - micro hatcheries. A farm-based system would generate much smaller quantities of seed, but have the distinct advantage of operating within and using the waters where the product will be grown, using broodstock selected as good performers from these conditions. The equipment requested of this ARTI grant will provide the components to build and test a micro-hatchery facility on behalf of industry. New technology, the photobioreactor, is capable of continual generation of larval feed for the facility yet taking up a very small operational foot-print. Small scale seed tanks, and low energy pumping and water treatment systems will also support the design of a cost-effective yet efficient seed production unit - one we propose as a small floating facility at the farm. The prototype micro-hatchery will be the basis of the climate change project but given the scale it will provide ongoing opportunities for student technical training, other shellfish research (e.g., new species development), etc. We believe this investment will provide significant potential for the aquaculture program at North Island College and for expanded applied research partnerships with industry.