How are UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant furthering studies into sustainable aquaculture?
Marine aquaculture has been slow in coming to Georgia, but the potential for expansion is virtually limitless and could provide an environmentally friendly economic basis for many of Georgia’s coastal communities.
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic plants.
The Shellfish Research Laboratory at UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant conducts studies into successful strategies for cultivating native mollusk species and researches possible diseases and their prevention to help create a healthy and sustainable industry.
Most scientists and resource managers recognize that America’s fisheries are in serious decline due to overfishing and habitat degradation.
As demands for edible fish and shellfish continue to increase, many state and federal agencies now consider aquaculture as a primary means of future production of the nation’s seafood.
