Research Projects for 2007
ME08101-05 Riley, J.
Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Aquaculture in Maine
Maine's Aquaculture industry is under constant change and challenge. However the industry is comprised of many small companies who do not have in-house engineering and/or cannot afford to hire consultants to respond to these issues. This project will provide engineering R&D to meet this need and help ensure the sustainability of an industry that has become a controversial, but integral part of Maine's economy.
ME08210-03 Wilson, J.
Maine/New England Commercial Fisheries Management
Ocean fisheries management in New England and elsewhere has conventionally been applied at a very large scale. The approach has not had good success principally because it has not been able to incorporate ecological detail nor has it been able to develop the management institutions necessary for stewardship. This project combines a theoretical and practical approach to the decentralization of ocean fisheries management
ME08303-05 Kling, L.
Studies Investigating Nutrition and Feeding Management of Cultured Fish at Different Life Stages
Improper feeding and inadequate diets during all life stages (broodfish, larvae and juvenile) can result in poor production performance. This project examines the nutrition and feeding of marine fish to improve production performance (survival, growth, and reproductive performance)during different life stages.
ME08311-05 Congleton, W.
Sustainability of Maine Shellfish Harvests: I. Green crab predation of Soft-Shell Clams and II. Shell Disease in Lobster
1. Green crab predation on clams has contributed to the recent decline in soft-shell clam landings in Maine. 2. Shell disease has decreased lobster landings in Southern New England and appears to be moving northward. 1. Green crab predation: The purpose of this project is to sample green crab populations in Maine and evaluate their impact on soft-shell clam harvests. 2. Shell disease in lobster: The purpose of this project is to develop a GIS of shell disease in lobster in the Gulf of Maine and determine proximity of disease incidence to potential causitive factors.
ME08509-05 Van Beneden, R.
Contaminant Effects on Early Life Stages of Finfish and Shellfish
This study investigates the role that agrochemical exposure may play in the decline of native finfish and shellfish populations. This project examines the mechanisms of toxicity of agrochemicals to early life stages of finfish and shellfish.
ME08510-05 Rawson, P.
Selective Breeding Programs for Commercially Important Bivalves in Maine
Despite increased market demand for shellfish, sub-optimal grow-out conditions for oysters and increased competition with mussel imports negatively impact the viability of bivalve culture in Maine. This project will continue efforts to increase the efficiency of oyster culture efforts in Maine through a selective breeding program for enhanced cold-water growth and disease resistance and explore the efficacy of hatchery-based production of mussels with unique morphological features in order to increase the market price commanded by Maine mussels.
ME08511-02 Kornfield, I.
Molecular Forensics of Native and Introduced Wildlife Species
The ability to provide forensic analysis of indigenous and introduced wildlife is necessary for effective management of living natural resources in the State of Maine. The general objective of this proposal is to provide regional leadership in wildlife molecular forensics and population biology.
