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

这项SBIR第二阶段研究的目标是控制公海水产养殖中体外寄生虫有害生物的创新手段。近海养鱼提供了巨大的增长机会。近海适应性鱼类健康管理对这一潜在有利可图的行业的无害环境扩张仍然是一项挑战。足疗(逆流水下水库被动式体外寄生虫装置)样机在水槽试验中显示出对海水鱼类体外寄生虫的良好效果。第二阶段的研究将完善治疗方法、足疗设计和使用方案。商业规模的原型将在海上网箱中部署和测试。足疗可以出售给世界各地的养鱼场或向其发放许可证。足疗还可以提供令人信服的竞争优势，以推动夏威夷、美国水域或全球的生产扩张。这项研究的更广泛影响是增加了在公海水产养殖中优化鱼类健康的无害环境的手段，从而有助于这一创新、令人兴奋和潜在有利可图的行业的发展。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。10亿美元的美国近海农业每年可以节省1.15亿美元的成本。在全球范围内都有潜在的应用。

This SBIR Phase II research targets innovative means for controlling ectoparasite pests in open ocean aquaculture. Offshore fish farming offers tremendous growth opportunities. Adaptive fish health management offshore remains a challenge for environmentally sound expansion of this potentially lucrative industry. PEDICURe (Passive Ectoparasite Device In Counter-current Underwater Reservoir) prototypes showed great efficacy in treating ectoparasite pests in marine fish in tank trials. Phase II research will refine therapeutic treatments, PEDICURe designs and protocols for use. Commercial-scale prototypes will be deployed and tested in offshore cages. PEDICURes could be sold or licensed to fish farms worldwide. PEDICURes could also provide compelling competitive advantages to drive expanded production in Hawaii, U.S. waters, or globally. The broader impacts of this research are in increasing the environmentally sound means for optimizing fish health in open ocean aquaculture, and thereby aiding the growth in this innovative, exciting and potentially lucrative industry. Offshore farms can produce high-value marine fish without significant impacts on water quality, benthic habitats or other ocean user groups. Cost savings to a $1 billion U.S. offshore farming industry could be $115 million p.a. There are potential applications worldwide.