SBIR Phase I: Innovative control of ectoparasites: key to expansion of open ocean fish farming

这项小型企业创新研究第一阶段的研究旨在评估一系列天然物质作为饲料添加剂或笼内浸渍设备中的被动浸渍解决方案。这些新方法单独使用或结合使用，可能有助于控制近海养鱼场的体外寄生虫。最近商业规模的高价值海水鱼类孵化生产技术的发展为扩大公海水产养殖提供了巨大的机会。控制养殖鱼中的体外寄生虫仍然是一个具有环境和经济意义的问题。野生鱼的寄生虫可以在养殖种群中扩散，影响养殖场的经济生存能力，并扩大野生鱼的疾病流行。海外的近海养殖场通常依靠沐浴处理来控制寄生虫。然而，在大多数公海养殖场的条件下，延长沐浴时间是不现实的，许多有效化合物在美国是不允许使用的。天然饲料添加剂可能会减少感染。鱼也可能会有条件地将自己暴露在控制体外寄生虫的治疗中。该项目测试了一系列天然物质作为饲料添加剂或被动浸渍溶液。被动浸泡装置将进行坦克测试。这些新方法单独使用或结合使用，可能有助于控制近海养鱼场的体外寄生虫。更广泛的影响将是满足美国政府到2025年将水产养殖产量提高五倍的愿望。需求迫在眉睫：海鲜贸易逆差近80亿美元，国内海鲜需求正在增加。捕捞渔业面临种群下降、关闭和加强监管的问题。公海水产养殖是以可持续、无害环境的方式满足这一国家优先事项和世界海鲜蛋白质需求的最佳机会。近海养殖场可以生产高价值的海洋鱼类，而不会对水质、海底生境或其他海洋用户群体产生重大影响。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I research aims to evaluate a range of natural substances as feed additives or passive dip solutions in an in-cage dip device. Individually, or in combination, these novel methods may help control ectoparasites in offshore fish farms. Recent development of commercial-scale hatchery production techniques for high-value marine fish offers tremendous opportunity for expansion of open ocean aquaculture. Control of ectoparasites in farmed fish remains a concern, of both environmental and economic significance. Parasites from wild fish can proliferate among cultured stocks, affecting the economic viability of the farm, and amplifying disease prevalence in wild fish. Inshore farms overseas often rely on bath treatments to control parasites. However, prolonged bath treatments are not practical in most open ocean farm conditions, and many effective compounds are not permitted for use in the U.S. Natural feed additives may reduce infections. Fish might also be conditioned to expose themselves to treatments to control ectoparasites. This project tests a range of natural substances as feed additives or passive dip solutions. A passive dip device will be tank-tested. Individually, or in combination, these novel methods may help control ectoparasites in offshore fish farms. The broader impact will be to address the US government's aspiration to increase aquaculture production five fold by 2025. The need is pressing: the seafood trade deficit is almost $8 billion, and domestic seafood demand is increasing. Capture fisheries face declining stocks, closures, and increasing regulation. Open ocean aquaculture presents the best opportunity for meeting this national priority and the world's seafood protein needs in a sustainable, environmentally-sound manner. Offshore farms can produce high-value marine fish without significant impacts on water quality, benthic habitats or other ocean user groups.