AQUACULTURE FOOD AND MARKETING DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT: FY 2001 Funding
to
Special Research Grant Program
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
U. S. Department of Agriculture
by
West Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station
West Virginia University
Principal Investigator
Kenneth J. Semmens
Co-Investigators
Kenneth P. Blemings
Julio Davalos
Gerard E. D'Souza
P. Brett Kenney
David A. Masciola
Patricia M. Mazik
Chad D. Pierskalla
Michael Schuett
Dennis K. Smith
Roger C. Viadero, Jr.
June 8, 2001
.
The objectives for this fourth phase of the Aquaculture Food and Marketing Development Project include a continuation of some activities initiated with FY 1998, FY 1999, and FY 2000. The major new initiatives of phase IV are the use of impaired water for trout production, and the use of hybrid bluegill as an alternative species for fee fishing businesses.
The objectives of the FY 2001 funding are:
1. Impaired Water. Evaluate production of rainbow trout in a modular raceway system using water from an acid mine drainage treatment plant. Examine trout fillet quality and determine if the fish accumulate metals in excess of recommended amounts.
2. Hybrid Bluegill as an alternative species for fee fishing businesses. Demonstrate production methods; collect production, economic, and nutritional data required for growers in this region to assess profitability; and use the fish produced to determine a pricing structure and format acceptable to fee fishing businesses.
3. Trout health survey . Conduct a health survey at working trout hatcheries, provide consultation regarding fish health management, and assist with disease free certification so West Virginia producers can market trout in adjacent states.
4. Technology Transfer. Disseminate information to the aquaculture industry in Appalachia, to state agencies with aquaculture-related responsibilities, and to the general public.
FY 1998. (Phase I)
Objective 1. Develop marketing strategies for aquaculture (primarily trout) producers and processors.
Market study 1 – Fee Fishing
Data from the fee fishing market have been collected and are being analyzed. On-site fee fisherman (personal interviews), in-state recreational fishermen (mail survey), out-of-state recreational fishermen (mail survey) and fee fishing operators in West Virginia (personal interviews) were surveyed. The response was excellent and there is great interest in this initiative by all markets surveyed. The results should lead to the following outcomes: 1. a marketing strategy for fee fishing business’, 2. a marketing strategy for those interested in getting into the fee fishing business, and 3. a strategy for the state of West Virginia policy makers.
A model for operating a successful fee fishing enterprise in West Virginia is under development. This effort received funding from the Benedum Foundation, and the results will be a “how to model” for starting and operating a recreational fee fishing operation in WV. This model will be disseminated through the WVU Extension Service.
Market study 2 – Processed food fish market
Data are being collected for production/food processing reseller market. It has been requested that we expand this data collection effort and the marketing plan to include arctic charr. The results should lead to the following outcomes: 1. a marketing plan for existing fish producers who sell to the food market and 2. a marketing strategy for those interested in supplying fish to Appalachian processing businesses.
Objective 2. Examine the economic and financial feasibility of alternative aquaculture species focusing on hill land.
Task 1 - Farm level production costs, management practices, and marketing arrangements.
Development of farm-level trout enterprise budgets has been completed, that shows the costs for raceway systems producing 20,000; 50,000; and 100,000 lbs./yr. to be $0.98; $0.93; and $0.90/lb, respectively. These costs allow a reasonable profit level if the present market prices remain in the range of $1.15 - $1.30/lb.
Task 2 – Financial viability of a range of aquaculture enterprises including the effects of incorporating aquaculture as a diversification strategy for traditional agricultural firms.
Data on aquaculture production and processing in WV and surrounding states have been compiled using a combination of mail surveys, site visits, and published sources. These data will be analyzed and the analysis will be reported in the next phase of this project.
Task 3. – Assess the economic and organizational feasibility of operating an aquaculture processing and marketing cooperative for small and medium sized aquaculture producers.
A feasibility analysis for the two major aquaculture processors in WV has been completed, and the results documented.
Objective 3. Determine the effect of water quality and stress on the consistency and quality of fresh trout fillets and value-added smoked trout products.
Task 1 - Determine the influence of managing, harvesting, handling and processing practices on the yield and quality of fresh trout fillets.
Stress and Fillet Quality.
The project goal is to increase production of high quality rainbow trout in West Virginia. Elevated, dissolved carbon dioxide level is a primary water quality limitation among current aquaculturists throughout the state. Excessive carbon dioxide can interfere with metabolic (suppressed growth), osmotic (pH and ion imbalance), and respiratory (gas exchange) functions of fish. Studies were developed from common farm conditions and practices to simulate the grow-out, handling, and harvesting methods of farm-raised rainbow trout. Three levels of CO2 (<25 mg/L, 35±5 mg/L, and 45 mg/L) were examined in five tanks of fish each. These fish were sampled initially, and at 28, 56, and 84 days. Physiological stress responses (blood hematocrit and plasma glucose, cortisol, and chloride), whole fish and fillet weights, initial and ultimate pH, smokehouse yields, fillet shear, expressible moisture, and water-phase salt, and proximate composition were determined.
Total mean growth (average weight gain over 3 months) of fish exposed to high carbon dioxide levels (45±5 mg/L) was significantly less (P< 0.001) than fish exposed to either intermediate (35±5) or low (<25) levels. Thus, at the conclusion of the study, fish grown in higher carbon dioxide levels weighed significantly less. Chloride concentrations of fish were lower (P < 0.01) in the high CO2 treatment groups compared to fish in the intermediate or low treatment groups. This observation indicates a decreased ability of fish to maintain optimal blood chloride concentrations at higher CO2 levels. As CO2 increased, fillet weights decreased and shear force increased. Ultimate pH was not affected by CO2 level; however, it decreased with increased time of the study. Water retention by the fillets, water-phase salt, cooked moisture, and fat content were not affected by CO2 level. Smokehouse yield and fat content increased and shear force decreased with increased time on the study. These latter effects are likely associated with an increase in fillet size.
Cryoprotection of Trout Fillets.
Deterioration of food quality results from frozen storage, and fish muscle is particularly susceptible to this deterioration. Little information exists for cryopreservation of intact fillets; whereas, considerable work has been done with the minced fish product, Surimi. Sodium lactate and sucrose/sorbitol, alone or with food-grade phosphates or MgCl2, were evaluated for their ability to preserve fillet quality during frozen storage for 90 days at -20 °C. Fillets were soaked in cryoprotectant solutions for 90 min. Water was used as a control for the cryoprotectant soaks. Smoked fillets and trout mince were prepared, and muscle color, raw and cooked pH, brine uptake, cook yield, shear force, total salt content, water-phase salt content, and proximate composition were measured. Gel hardness and cohesiveness were determined on the fish mince.
Prior to freezing, lightness and redness of treated fillets prior to brining and smoking were lower than untreated fillets (P<0.05). Following frozen storage, sucrose/sorbitol and sodium lactate increased (P<0.05) gel hardness and cohesiveness, cook yield, pH and fat content of smoked products compared to an opposite effect for water. A greater increase in cook yield and cooked moisture content was observed for sucrose/sorbitol than for sodium lactate (P<0.05). Phosphates increased (P<0.05) pH of fillets after soaking that in turn decreased lightness (P<0.10) and increased yellowness and cooked pH (P<0.10) of the fillets. Magnesium chloride enhanced (P<0.05) the increase in cooked pH caused by frozen storage. Frozen storage increased (P<0.05) total salt content, water-phase salt content, raw and cooked ash, and decreased (P<0.05) brine uptake and fillet shear force. In summary, cryoprotectant minimized the negative effects of frozen storage on intact trout fillets.
Objective 4. Conduct a technology transfer component to disseminate information generated by this project to the aquaculture industry in Appalachia, to state agencies with aquaculture related responsibilities and to the general public.
A variety of a Activities were conducted in support of extending aquaculture information. The WVU Aquaculture web page has been updated. A “Live Fish List” has been developed listing West Virginia producers, fee fishing businesses, and consultants on the WVU Aquaculture web page (http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/aquaculture/index.htm). The site also has been developed as a reference source supporting exchange of aquaculture information. We initiated an exchange with the trout industry in North Carolina with the intent to determine how growers in West Virginia can produce trout as a food fish for $1/lb or less. This exchange has been aimed primarily at development of mine water sources in the southern part of the state. We hosted a state-wide meeting of aquaculture interests on January 8, 2000 in Flatwoods, West Virginia featuring investigators involved in aquaculture research at WVU. Producers from Illinois, North Carolina, and Colorado shared information regarding problems and opportunities facing their aquaculture businesses. Approximately 70 people attended the one-day event. Overall evaluation was 4.34 on a 5.0 scale where 5 = Excellent. We conducted “road trips” with producers and/or supporters of the West Virginia aquaculture industry to North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Approximately 140 requests for information were fielded from specialists, agents, and individuals across the state. We developed a brochure describing the Aquaculture Food and Marketing Development Project and distributed it at meetings and events where the work is of interest.
Some activities, and products resulting from this project include:
“West Virginia Trout
Enterprise Budgets,” by San, Nu Nu, D. Miller, G. E. D’Souza, D. K.
Smith, and K. J. Semmens, a bulletin published by the
WV Agricultural Experiment Station, in press.
“Costs and Returns of Trout Processing by High Appalachian: A Case Study,” by San et al., Summer 2000.
“MA & PA Cooperative: A Case Study,” by Fidler et al., Summer 2000 (a draft version was presented to the Board of Directors of Mountain Aquaculture and Producers Association at their Fall annual meeting in Elkins, WV, in December 1999). A follow-up to this case study was conducted by Sztroin and Fincham in Summer 2000.
“Aquaculture 2000," Poster prepared by Dan Miller, for displays at venues such as the WV Extension Service Aquaculture Forum held in Flatwoods, WV, January 8, 2000.
Jittinandana, S., P. B. Kenney, and R. Kiser. 2000. Chemical and Physical Changes in Smoked Rainbow Trout Associated with Frozen Storage. Presentation at the 53rd Reciprocal Meats Conference. Columbus, OH.
Danley, M., P. Mazik, P. B. Kenney, R. Kiser, and J. Hankins. 2001. Chronic exposure to carbon dioxide: growth, physiological stress response, and fillet quality of rainbow trout. Presentation at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Jittinandana, S., P. B. Kenney, S. Slider, and R. Kiser. 2001. Cryoprotection of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, fillets for smoked trout production. Presentation at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo. New Orleans, LA.
Jittinandana, S., P. B. Kenney, S. Slider, and R. Kiser. 2001. Effects of cryoprotectants on physicochemical attributes of intact rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, fillets. Presentation at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo. New Orleans, LA.
Objective 1. Implement the marketing strategies developed in the FY1998 project for aquaculture producers and processors and assess further opportunities for developing a sustainable aquaculture industry in a multi-state area including the Appalachian region.
Task 1.1 Implement a market driven network for Appalachian aquaculture.
Phase II funding was designed to develop and market a “cooperative effort” among aquaculture producers and/or fee fishing operators to draw more recreational fishermen to their facilities. By attracting more recreational fisherman this effort will also enhance other sectors of the West Virginia travel and tourism industry. Phase I survey results indicate a very high interest in this “cooperative concept” on the part of both in-state and out-of-state fisherman as well as in-state fee fishing operators.
Task 1.2 – Implement a cooperative approach to marketing.
Task 1.3 – Recreational fee fishing utilizing streams.
Objective 2. Economic Analysis. To determine the expected costs and returns of producing and processing aquaculture products suitable to hill country such as that in West Virginia and to examine other issues relating to the development of a sustainable aquaculture industry in the study area including identification of suitable water supply sources, waste management practices, and economic development impacts of aquaculture.
2.1 Estimate firm level optimization models.
Development of farm-level and processor-level economic efficiency models using data from the surveys and from published sources has been conducted. Results of the farm-level models show that: (a) as production levels increase, raceway systems are generally more profitable than tanks under the conditions investigated; (b) economies of size exist for the three capacities investigated; and (c) in terms of risk characteristics, specializing in fee-fishing not only results in the greatest potential profitability but is also (in financial terms) the riskiest alternative. Thus, a risk-reducing strategy is to sell some fish to processors; the more risk-averse the producer, the larger the proportion that should be sold to processors rather than through fee fishing. Results of the processor-level models identify market scenarios under which each processor can break even, and also show that processors can reduce their break-even point and potentially increase profitability if a greater proportion of products sold is value-added (e.g., smoked).
2.2 Assess Economic Impacts and Waste Management Options.
A literature review of these issues was conducted as a prelude for a more comprehensive analysis of these topics in subsequent grants.
2.3 Assess mine water sources suitable for economical production of food-size trout in West Virginia.
An analysis of mine water sources suitable for aquaculture in WV has been completed. In addition, two cooperative agreements have been initiated with large coal mining companies, who own large land and water resources, allowing trout bioassays to proceed in four different acid mine discharge polishing ponds.
Objective 3. Product Quality Research. Improve the consistency and quality of fresh trout fillets through improved feeding and harvesting techniques.
This work will be initiated in July of 2001, and its purpose is to improve the consistency and quality of fresh trout fillets through improved feeding and harvesting techniques. The impact of feeding rate and water velocity on growth rate and efficiency, stress indicators, and raw and processed fillet characteristics will be determined. Additionally, antioxidants will be fed in the diet to determine their impact on preserving lipid and thus, fillet quality of rainbow trout. Consistently achieving the highest quality possible will allow small food fish producers and processors to compete in niche markets demanding the highest quality.
Objective 4. Technology Transfer. Determine and implement appropriate technology transfer activities to disseminate information generated by this project to the aquaculture industry in Appalachia, to state agencies with aquaculture- related responsibilities and to the general public.
A
variety of activities were conducted in support of extending aquaculture
information. We hosted seminars featuring farmers from Virginia, Prince
Edward Island,
Some activities, and products resulting from this project include:
Ken Semmens. “Economic Development and Coldwater Aquaculture in West Virginia”, a presentation at the US Trout Farmers Association annual meeting, Branson, Missouri, September, 2000.
Green Lands Magazine, a publication of the West Virginia Mining Association, Winter 2001, “Somewhere over the Rainbows.” 31:1 Pp. 26-28
Consol Energy newsletter. “Farming Fish – CONSOL Energy helps WVU to research raising trout in mine water”. December 2000, 15:3 p5.
“The Economics of Trout Production in West Virginia,” by Frank Fidler. M.S. thesis. December 2000.
“A GIS DataBase for Spring and Mine Water Sources in West Virginia,” Draft copy of a bulletin for the WV Agricultural Experiment Station, January 2001.
“Where are the Best Counties in West Virginia for Potential Aquaculture Production?” A GIS Analysis by Frank Fidler, December 1999. [http://www.nrac.wvu.edu/rm391/fidler/].
“Locating Potential Aquaculture Sites in West Virginia Based on Proximity to Demand Outlets.” A GIS Analysis by Ryan Fincham. December 1999. [http://www.nrac.wvu.edu/rm391/fincham/].
Objective 5. Water Resource Engineering. Characterize effluents from West Virginia trout production facilities, optimize a working system, and evaluate use of impaired water from mine sites.
5.1 Baseline quality data and characterization of effluents from West Virginia trout production facilities.
The study of effluent characteristics from West Virginia aquaculture production facilities has been initiated. Currently, five sites have been enrolled in the effluent characterization study. Operators of a wide range of production capacities have been selected to represent the broad range of effluent production from facilities in West Virginia. Sampling of each site is now being conducted every six weeks.
5.2 – Technical assessment of impaired water resources suitable for production of trout in West Virginia.
The mine water feasibility program is underway with four mine sites currently being investigated.
Intensive water quality monitoring is being conducted at the site proposed as the home of the modular raceway demonstration project. Preliminary bioassays have been installed and routine water chemistry monitoring is being conducted at four sites which produce treated mine water to ascertain the potential effect(s) of exposure to mine waters on fish health, growth, etc.
Objective 6. Farm Level Research. Conduct research at the farm level focusing on fish health and production efficiency of facilities growing food size rainbow trout.
6.1 – Develop and implement a pilot yield verification program for food size rainbow trout in flowing water systems at two commercial facilities.
Preliminary results from yield verification trial at High Appalachian, Inc. shows 50% more pounds of fish were produced in tanks fed high energy feed (48% protein, 18% fat) compared with standard diet (38% protein, 11% fat). Production capacity in one trial of this facility ranged from 83 to 138 lb/gpm flow when data were compared on an annual basis. The first trial at Trout Lodge and Angler’s resort is now underway.
6.2 – Health survey of trout production facilities in West Virginia.
Investigators met with farmers individually, and selected sites to be sampled. Staff from the Freshwater Institute have completed the necessary training with the diagnostic lab in Maryland and obtained the necessary supplies. Sampling is underway.
FY 2000. (Phase III) Research is underway for FY 2000 funded project activities, but it is too early to report significant progress for all objectives at this time.
Objective 1. Impaired water research.
1.1 Determine water quality requirements for flowing water trout production and pre-production water treatment – “entrance works.”
One in situ water quality monitor was purchased to enable researchers to monitor water quality on a 24-hour basis at the site of the proposed modular raceway system.
A preliminary site survey has been made as a first step toward completing the layout of the modular raceways at the mine water treatment site. Civil engineering researchers will return to the site in spring 2001 to complete a more detailed survey of the site.
1.2 - Design and implementation of composite material raceway system.
Design of composite material raceways has been initiated. A graduate research assistant from the structural engineering group has been recruited to perform computer-aided design of the composite material raceway system. Further, Drs. Semmens, Davalos, and Viadero have been working to incorporate novel features into the design, which will streamline the operation of the system in the future.
A patent disclosure has been filed with WVU’s Office of Technology Transfer to protect the intellectual property rights associated with the development of the novel Honeycomb Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (HFRP) raceways. WVU-Civil and Environmental Engineering investigators were recently awarded a “Partnerships For Innovation” grant from the National Science Foundation to develop novel HFRP materials for industrial applications such as bridge decks and aquaculture raceways.
Objective 2. Economic Analyses.
2.1 To quantify the economic development impacts from expansion of the aquaculture sector in West Virginia.
2.2 To evaluate the impacts, potential for, and consumer acceptance of new production technologies, such as genetically modified, transgenic and organically grown fish, on aquaculture production, prices and profits.
2.3 Economic analysis of impaired water production facilities.
Objective 3. Product Quality
3.1 Assessment of cost effective production and harvest on product quality.
Harvesting and production method optimization is the basis for work proposed as an addition to the study outlined in Phase II. It is the goal of our research team (WVU Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, USGS Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit, and the Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute) to evaluate independent variables in Phase II (feeding rate, water velocity, antioxidant feeding, and harvest method) and Phase III (method of kill, transportation before or after kill) concurrently on the same set of fish produced at the Freshwater Institute's facility. Water quality attributes (total ammonia nitrogen, free CO2, total hardness, and alkalinity) will be carefully monitored throughout the study.
3.2 –Fresh and value added product manufacture, quality, and functionality assessments.
Studies have begun to evaluate methods to improve water-phase salt and consistently achieve >3.5% NaCl. These studies will consider different salting methods in the presence and absence of vacuum tumbling.
Objective 4. Technology Transfer.
It is too early in the project to report progress in this objective.
The plan for each objective and the tasks within each are described in this section.
Objective 1. Impaired Water
We will refer to water discharged from coal mines and Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment plants as “impaired water”. Specifically we will be studying the feasibility of using water discharged from the settling pond of a nearby AMD treatment plant. This water is monitored to meet NPDES permit requirements. Samples are periodically taken to measure pH, dissolved metals (iron, manganese, aluminum), and conductivity. Water discharges from the settling ponds may have a total dissolved solids concentration of nearly 2000 ppm. Some parameters important to survival and growth of trout are not monitored by regulatory agencies and the mining companies. These include oxygen, carbon dioxide, and temperature. It is essential that all parameters remain within acceptable levels on a continuous basis in order for the fish to survive and grow.
Task 1.1 Production of rainbow trout in waters originating from an AMD treatment plant (Viadero, Masciola, Semmens).
Consol Energy, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, operates an acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment plant in Monongalia County about 15 miles west of the WVU campus. The AMD treatment plant currently pumps water from two large underground pools of mine water to the treatment facility. The water is aerated to permit oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III), and the pH is raised by the addition of hydrated lime (USEPA 1983). Final treatment includes aeration and settling of the Fe(III) hydroxide precipitate in a 17 acre impoundment (Figure 1). We will refer to this impoundment as the AMD treatment pond.
Figure 1. Schematic of the acid mine drainage treatment system.
Task 1.1.1 Production of rainbow trout in a modular raceway system using impaired water.
In this task, trout will be grown in the modular composite material raceway developed with FY2000 (phase III) funding using treated water discharged from the AMD treatment pond. Modular raceways made of composite material will be located downstream from the outlet of the pond. Researchers from WVU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have been collecting and analyzing water quality samples at the outlet of the AMD treatment pond on a routine schedule since September 2000. Representative data on temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH at the outlet of the pond are presented in Figure 2. Based on historic data as well as measurements taken by WVU-CEE researchers, average water flow at the outlet from the lake is estimated at 2,038 gpm. Additionally, analyses were conducted to determine the concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Se, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Sb, Ni, Ag, Be, and Tl) in the waters exiting the lake. Concentrations of all metals were below the respective method detection limits (0.005 mg/l for mercury and 0.05 mg/l for all other metals listed above). A preliminary bioassay has demonstrated that caged rainbow trout survive and grow in this water.
Figure 2. Water quality data, AMD treatment pond discharge.
The pilot-scale system features paired raceways in series, with four steps for a total of 8 individual units. A preliminary schematic of the modular raceway system is presented in Figure 3. (Note: only three of the four proposed raceway segments are shown in Figure 3.) Each raceway will be 30 feet long and 3 feet wide. Approximately 500 gpm will flow through the system. Water will fall approximately three feet at each step. This unit will function as an experimental and demonstration system.
Figure 3. Schematic of the modular raceway system.
The raceway configuration was chosen because it is the system of choice for commercial trout aquaculture in West Virginia. It is a proven system that is labor efficient; furthermore, the modular approach is consistent with coal companies’ desire for a short term project without creation of permanent structures. In addition, the modular approach allows modification or transfer of a culture system to another site, something impossible with a concrete structure. In short, it provides a measure of flexibility and liquidity to both operator and investor.
Production of rainbow trout: Approximately 1,000 rainbow trout (50 to 80 grams) will be stocked into each of the units and grown to market size (450 grams). The volume of water flowing through each side of the system will be equal. Fish will be fed to satiation six days each week utilizing demand feeders and manual feeding. As they grow, fish will be spread evenly through the system until oxygen begins to limit production. This is expected to occur when the partial pressure of oxygen is consistently below 90 mm Hg (Klontz 1996, Davis 1975). Water velocity will be managed to promote removal of waste from the rearing area and settling of solid waste in the quiescent zone of each raceway.
Fish in each raceway tank will be weighed initially and at the end of the experiment (total weight per tank). The number of fish stocked and harvested in each tank will be estimated by weight.
Sample weight (number/kg) for each tank will be determined by counting the number of fish in 10% of the tank’s population and measuring the weight of the sample. Total number will be estimated by multiplying sample weight by total weight for each tank. Feed conversion will be calculated as the weight of feed fed to each tank divided by the weight gain in the corresponding group of fish in each tank. The following observations and measurements will be made:
Daily: Mortality, weight of feed fed, temperature, flow rate, oxygen concentrations of inflow and outflow, pH, and conductivity will be recorded for each production unit. Mortalities and solid waste accumulating in the quiescent zone will be removed.
Weekly: Total ammonia nitrogen, total hardness (as CaCO3), alkalinity (as CaCO3), and acidity (as CaCO3) will be measured throughout the experiment.
Monthly: Fifty fish will be sampled from each raceway unit to determine weight, length, and condition factor (K) of the population. Average K factor will be determined by adding all K factors and dividing the total by the number of fish in the sample group.
Immediately prior to monthly fish sampling, routine water quality parameters will be measured. Heavy metals (Cd, Se, Hg) and metals commonly associated with acid mine drainage water (Fe, Al, Mn, Mg) will also be measured. Further, the raceway system will be outfitted with YSI (Yellow Springs Instruments) in situ water quality monitors (sonde) capable of measuring pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and water depth. The combination of continuous monitoring with the YSI data sonde and grab sampling for a more complete array of metals, will make it possible to develop a rigorous history of water quality.
Feed conversion, density (lb/cubic ft.), loading rate (lb/gpm), and survival rate will be determined for each raceway unit harvested. Growth will be compared with expected growth based on the Forecast program developed by Skip Thompson, Area Specialized Agent for the North Carolina Extension Service, which uses equations developed by Haskell (1959 ). Production data will be compared with observations made in the yield verification program and the literature.
Task 1.1.2 Evaluation of sinking and floating diets.
In this task, we will compare two diets manufactured by Zeigler Bros., Inc. of Gardners, Pennsylvania. In 2001, Zeigler Bros., Inc. will be releasing a new line of floating trout feeds. The objective of Task 1.1.2 will be to evaluate performance of two diets with the same protein (42%) and fat (16%) levels. Each diet will be fed to a series of four raceway units comprising one side of the raceway system as described in Task 1.1. Paired observations at each step for each diet will be made on size at harvest, growth rate, feed conversion, weight of fish harvested/raceway unit, and cost/lb gain.
Task 1.2 Collection of effluent data from raceway system located at the AMD treatment pond (Viadero, Masciola).
WVU Civil and Environmental Engineering researchers will begin research in this new system by collecting baseline data on effluent water quality characteristics. The following water quality characteristics must be monitored and reported for NPDES regulated fish hatcheries in West Virginia: wastewater flow rate; five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5); total suspended solids (TSS); ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N and NH3-N); settlable solids; dissolved oxygen (DO); and pH. Samples will be collected at the inlet to the raceway system, the effluent from each quiescent zone, and at the outlet of each raceway in an effort to establish the performance of the new system. Each parameter will be measured according to the applicable “Standard Method” (APHA 1998) or US EPA (1997) approved analytic method.
Influent, process water, and effluent turbidity measurements will be taken during field water sampling events. A correlation between turbidity and laboratory data (BOD5, TSS, SS, etc.) will be developed to use turbidity as an indicator of real-time water quality, process performance, and pollutant loading in the pilot-scale system. In order to obtain a complete characterization of water quality in the pilot-scale aquaculture system, inlets and outlets of the composite material raceways will be outfitted with in situ water quality monitors capable of measuring pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, DO, and depth. Thus, it will be necessary to purchase four (4) additional YSI data sondes to enable WVU researchers to continually measure water quality in each composite material raceway.
Through the implementation of the proposed protocol of grab samples and in situ monitoring, it will be possible to develop relationships for use as real-time indicators of system performance, that can be used as benchmarks for future system operation. Effluent from the experimental unit will be sent to a settling tank or pond.
Task 1.3 Structural engineering response evaluation of fish culture tanks (Davalos).
The fish tanks produced from honeycomb fiber-reinforced plastic (HFRP) panels in Phase III research will be based on analytical modeling and manufacturing capabilities of the producer. The design will be based on functional requirements defined in collaboration with the research team. To expedite the overall goals of the project, the prototype tanks produced will be implemented in the field without experimental evaluations of their structural response in the laboratory. However, such evaluations are necessary in order to optimize the product in the future and assure suitable life-span service of the tanks. Thus, this task is concerned primarily with the laboratory response evaluation of components of the prototype tanks, by testing instrumented material constituents (e.g., core, face sheets), HFRP panels, and connection details.
The work under this task will consist of combined experimental and analytical evaluations of the performance of constituent materials, component panels and connection details. The following studies will be conducted:
- Evaluation of face-sheet and core material properties by conventional and novel tests, leading to future optimizations of material lay-up and possibly core-geometry.
- Evaluation of beam-type HFRP panel samples in bending and torsion to obtain global directional and shear stiffness properties.
- Evaluation of panel-to-panel connections (base of tank to wall connection) and quiescent zone to tank connections, as well as other details of the prototype design. Failure modes will be identified and potential for improvements of the design will be explored.
The samples will be instrumented with strain gages, including rosette gages to capture principal strains. Displacements will be measured with transducers, and the data will be collected and analyzed with a computer-based acquisition system. The analytical study will include explicit solutions already developed by Dr. Davalos and co-workers and also using Finite Element models. Experimental/analytical correlations will then be used to validate the theoretical tools for future use in the optimization of the product design.
Task 1.4 Stress (Mazik).
This task will determine the stress response of fish raised in AMD water. Fish will be sampled monthly over an 8-month period. Five fish will be sampled from each raceway section each month (40 total per month). A control non-AMD pond will be included. Each fish will be bled using heparinized syringes from arteries in the caudal peduncle. All fish will be bled within 5 minutes of initial disturbance and each fish will be sampled only once. Blood will be centrifuged and plasma stored at -55OC until analyzed. Plasma concentrations of cortisol will be determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) with a commercially prepared kit (Ciba-Corning Diagnostics Corporation, Medfield, MA). Plasma glucose will be determined using a clinical diagnostic kit (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, MO) and plasma chloride levels will be determined using a chloridometer (Buchler Instruments, Lenexa, KS).
Task 1. 5 Bioaccumulation – Are trout grown in water from an AMD treatment plant safe to eat? (Mazik)
This task will determine if flesh of rainbow trout grown in impaired water contains metals above the EPA levels safe for human consumption. Mercury, selenium and cadmium are considered high priority pollutants (Heinen 1996) and will be measured in these samples. Fish grown in the modular raceway system previously described under Task 1.1 will be sampled at stocking, at monthly invervals and at harvest. The grow-out period is expected to require 6 to 8 months depending on growth rate. Five fish from each raceway section will be sampled each month (total of 40 fish per month). Samples from a control non-AMD pond will also be taken. Water samples analyzed under Task 1.1 will provide data on the metals present in the water. Fish will be collected, frozen and analyzed within 28 days. Fillets will be powdered in liquid nitrogen to produce a homogenous composite. Samples will be analyzed at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE). This laboratory is EPA certified for performing analysis under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) of the Clean Water Act. All analytical methods are EPA approved and have a standard Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol.
Task 1.6 Evaluate the impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) water, following treatment, on fish quality with an emphasis on palatability, composition, and fresh storage stability (Kenney).
In a study by Setälä et al. (1997), to examine similarities and differences in quality perceptions of wholesalers, retailers and caterers, freshness components (preservation and hygiene) were the most significant quality attributes of fresh, rainbow trout fillets. Caterers considered sensory quality (appearance, odor, taste, texture), safety (harmful substances, environmental risks, food poisoning risks), and nutrition (vitamins/minerals, fat content, health effects) more important than did wholesalers and retailers. Wholesalers considered raw material (cultivation environment, size, sex, maturity, and fat content) and service components as most significant in characterizing quality. With respect to the impact of culture practices, Haard (1992) reported that fish farmers have some control over physiological factors (age and growth rate), environment (water temperature, pressure, flow, and chemistry), and dietary factors (feeding regimen, starvation, overfeeding, and the presence or absence of specific components). Moreover, he pointed out that consumer's acceptance of fishery products depends on several quality attributes, including safety, nutrition, flavor, texture, color, appearance, and the suitability of the raw material for processing and preservation. As the aforementioned reports indicate, a variety of fish and nonfish components can impact quality perceptions as a function of clientele. Previous work at WVU funded by the first phase of this special grant showed that wide variation exists in compositional, processing, and textural attributes of rainbow trout fillets used in smoked processing. Some of the contributing factors have been previously mentioned (Haard, 1992).
Fish reared at AMD sites will be harvested and analyzed using the following procedures. In addition, fish from one additional mine water site and three spring-fed sites will be compared as "typical" production practices in the region. Harvest and handling will be standardized to the degree that is logistically possible with temperature control during transport, handling, and storage prior to evaluation as the critically controlled factor.
Fresh Fillet Evaluations. Fillet yield will be calculated for each fish from each site. Fresh fillets will be graded according to the Code of Federal Register (50 CFR, Ch. 11, Part 260) entitled, "Regulations Governing the Processed Fishery Products and US standards for Grades of Fishery Products". Fresh fillet color will be measured using a Minolta chromameter when graded at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours following filleting.
Expressible moisture of fresh fillets will be measured according to procedures of Jauregui et al. (1981). This trait will indicate the water retention ability of postharvest trout muscle. Color, cook yields, texture , protein-water interactions (water binding potential, expressible moisture, protein solubility) and proximate analyses (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) will be evaluated in fresh and value-added products to determine the impact, if any, of water characteristics on trout muscle functionality.
Sensory attributes of flavor, odor, and texture will be performed through collaborations with Joe Regenstein at Cornell and the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute.
Smoked Trout Evaluations. Production practices affect fish muscle characteristics. The carryover of this effect to smoked trout quality will be determined using a two-stage brining protocol. Stage one will consist of subjecting fish to brine containing 8.7 % NaCl for 90 min at 3°C. Stage two will consist of removing fillets from brine and allowing the salt to equilibrate for 48 hours. Following removal from the brine and prior to storage for equilibration, fish fillets will be weighed and weights will be recorded in order to determine brine uptake. Muscle pH of fresh and brined fillet will be measured at the cranial, middle, and caudal third of each fish using a surface probe. Fish will be weighed to determine cook yield. Fish fillets will be placed on smoke racks and thermally processed in a microprocessor-controlled smokeoven (Model CVU-490; Enviro-Pak, Inc., Clackamas, OR). Following thermal processing to an internal temperature of 65°C, fish fillets will be weighed and vacuum packed for texture analyses.
Proximate analyses will be conducted for fresh and smoked trout using standard AOAC (1990) procedures. The pH measurements will be carried out using a pH/Ion analyzer (Corning, Inc.; Corning, NY). Expressible moisture will be measured according to Jauregui et al. (1981). Percent NaCl will be determined using QUANTAB Chloride Titrators (Environment Test Systems, Inc., Elkhart, IN). Cook yields will be determined based on weights prior to and following thermal processing. Brine uptake will be evaluated based on weights of fresh fish and brined fish prior to thermal processing.
Survey data revealed that trout are the fish of choice for fee fishing in West Virginia. Approximately 74% of the food size fish stocked in fee fishing facilities are trout. Both catfish and trout are stocked at 35% of the fee fishing businesses in West Virginia. Though trout and catfish dominate fee fishing in West Virginia, both anglers and fee fishing managers state a desire for other species to diversify the recreational experience. Site limitations contribute to the need for other species. Sites suitable for trout are limited by the availability and location of large volumes of cold water (i.e. springs and mines). Ponds frequently warm up during summer months and are unsuitable for trout based fee fishing businesses, so ponds are stocked with catfish or the business is closed. Catfish are usually obtained from wild or farmed sources out of state. Bass and bluegill are commonly cited as alternative species, yet suitable sources for fish and the cost for producing harvestable size fish in West Virginia are not readily known. It is also unclear what pricing structure and fee fishing format is most suited to these alternative species.
Hybrid bluegill, hybrid striped bass, and largemouth bass may be suitable alternatives to catfish and trout in the fee fishing format. In this study, we propose that a sunfish hybrid, male bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) x female green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), be grown in ponds and test marketed at operating fee fishing businesses. In the process we would demonstrate production methods, and collect production, economic, and nutritional data required for growers in this region to determine profitability. Once the production experiment is completed and the fish are harvested, they would be transported to fee fishing businesses where we will determine what pricing structure and fee fishing format will be acceptable to fee fishing customers.
Fee fishing managers and prospective entrepreneurs have little guidance in determining the optimal method to provide this relatively new type of fishing experience. Scant information is available on the business aspects of this outdoor recreation enterprise in West Virginia (Ponzurick, Logar, & Semmens, 2001). Two basic strategies for pricing have been applied in West Virginia--a fixed fee and a graduated fee. With the fixed fee, an angler will pay a flat amount per day for each fishing pole used. Size limits and possession limits are enforced so the average value of fish harvested per angler is less than the cost of restocking. Incentives with a graduated fee are very different. The cost of the fishing experience to the angler is based on the number or weight of fish caught. With this pricing system, ponds and streams are frequently stocked with an abundance of fish so revenue per angler is maximized. Fish are not released after capture. Profits vary for each strategy depending on the average value of fish harvested.
Task 2.1 : Production of Hybrid Bluegill at three stocking densities.(Semmens and O’Bara)
Production Facilities: Fish will be grown at the Palestine State Fish Hatchery near Elizabeth, West Virginia approximately 125 miles southwest of the WVU campus. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will contract to provide nine 0.5-acre earthen ponds and labor to grow out hybrid bluegill sunfish. An automated system to monitor oxygen and temperature, will be installed to collect data for each pond and turn on the aerators when oxygen concentrations decrease to 3.5 mg/l or lower. The system will include iChart Software, RS485 to RS232 Converter, NEMA 4X enclosure and an Intelligent interface. Each pond will have an automated control system with AC power and built in motor control relay, and dissolved oxygen sensor hard wired to the control system operated by a personal computer. Each pond also will be equipped with a vertical pump aerator.
Experimental Design: Fingerling hybrid bluegill sunfish (40 g minimum weight) will be purchased from a commercial producer and stocked into nine ponds in March of 2002. There will be three treatments based on stocking density (5000, 10000, 20000/acre) and three replications per treatment. Ponds will be randomly assigned to each treatment. Number of fish stocked into each pond will be based on sample weights and total weights of fish unloaded from the truck. Initially, fingerlings will be stocked into small net pens until they are trained to the feed.
Water Quality: Dissolved oxygen and temperature will be measured by the automated system. Total ammonia nitrogen, pH, nitrite, alkalinity, and chloride will be measured with a Lamotte test kit on a weekly basis.
Feed: We will feed a “high energy” floating salmonid diet containing 42% protein and 16% fat. During the training phase, fingerlings will be fed in the morning and evening. Once the fish are released into the pond, they will be fed three times each day. Automatic feeders will be set to feed approximately 30% of the ration twice each day. A third feeding will be done by hand to satiation. Feeding frequency will be reduced as water temperature decreases in the fall.
Growth and conversion: Total weight and sample weight will be taken for fish in each pond at the beginning and end of the experiment. Additionally, fish will be sampled every six weeks . We will measure growth in length and weight. Amount fed to each pond or the amount placed in each automatic feeder will be based on volume and a standard conversion to weight. Feed conversions will be calculated as weight of feed fed: biomass gain. Table 1 describes a hypothetical production scenario given survival, feed conversion, and target final weight.
Table 1. Hypothetical production scenario for grow-out of hybrid bluegill sunfish.
| Stocking |
Number of |
Survival to |
Estimated |
Target |
Estimated |
Initial |
Final |
||||
| Pond |
Acres |
Rate |
Fingerlings |
Harvest |
Weight |
Feed |
Feed |
Weight |
Weight |
Harvest |
|
| No/acre |
Stocked |
(%) |
Gain (lb) |
Conversion |
fed (lb) |
lb/1000 |
lb/1000 |
lb/acre |
|||
| 1 |
0.5 |
5000 |
2500 |
95 |
855 |
2.5 |
2137 |
90 |
450 |
2137.5 |
|
| 2 |
0.5 |
5000 |
2500 |
95 |
855 |
2.5 |
2137 |
90 |
450 |
2137.5 |
|
| 3 |
0.5 |
5000 |
2500 |
95 |
855 |
2.5 |
2137 |
90 |
450 |
2137.5 |
|
| 4 |
0.5 |
10000 |
5000 |
95 |
1235 |
2.5 |
3087 |
90 |
350 |
3325 |
|
| 5 |
0.5 |
10000 |
5000 |
95 |
1235 |
2.5 |
3087 |
90 |
350 |
3325 |
|
| 6 |
0.5 |
10000 |
5000 |
95 |
1235 |
2.5 |
3087 |
90 |
350 |
3325 |
|
| 7 |
0.5 |
20000 |
10000 |
95 |
1520 |
2.5 |
3800 |
90 |
250 |
4750 |
|
| 8 |
0.5 |
20000 |
10000 |
95 |
1520 |
2.5 |
3800 |
90 |
250 |
4750 |
|
| 9 |
0.5 |
20000 |
10000 |
95 |
1520 |
2.5 |
3800 |
90 |
250 |
4750 |
|
| Total |
4.5 |
52,500 |
49,875 fish |
10,830 |
27,075 |
||||||
Task 2.2 : Assessment of four commercial diets for Hybrid Bluegill (Eya and Blemings)
Conducting practical feeding trials in aquaria at West Virginia State College will define the relative performance of diets available to the fish farmer such that one could estimate expected performance and economic efficiency. The production diet in the pond study (Task 2.1) will be a salmonid formulation with 42 % protein and 16% fat in a floating pellet. The objective is to choose a nutrient dense formulation and obtain the best conversion possible. This will assure the highest production possible given the short growing season. There will be questions about this choice and whether it is more economical to select a commercial formula that is less nutrient dense. Therefore, the following diets will be fed to hybrid bluegill in aquaria.
Diet %Protein %Fat
Salmonid High Energy formulation 44 24 Sinking diet – Melick Feeds
Hybrid Striped Bass tank formulation 42 16 Floating diet – Melick Feeds
Hybrid Striped Bass pond formulation 40 10 Floating diet – Melick Feeds
Catfish cage formulation 36 5 Floating diet – Melick Feeds
Ken Holyoke, a producer
in Alapaha,
Task 2.2.1 Evaluation of four commercially available diets (Eya).
Four different production diets will be evaluated over a 12-week growing period in 16 152–L tanks. Each diet treatment will be randomly assigned to four tanks (four replicates per treatment). Hybrid bluegill will be obtained from two sources: 1) the same source of fish as task 1, and 2) Ken’s Fish Hatchery (i.e. “Georgia Giant”). Thirty fish weighing an average of 40 g will be stocked into each tank. Water source will be dechlorinated city water. The water temperature will range between 18 and 25 oC and dissolved oxygen concentration between 5.0 and 8.0 mg/L. Fish will be fed the test diets to satiation twice daily. Fish samples will be taken at the start and end of the study and analyzed for crude protein and fat according to the procedure of AOAC (1990).
Extruded diets will be obtained from Melick Aquafeed, Catawissa, Pennsylvania. Satiate feeding will be achieved in each tank by allowing fish to eat until feeding activity stops (30 minutes), after which the remaining pellet will be removed from the tank and counted to obtain an estimate of weight of the feed eaten. Weight of fish in each aquarium will be determined biweekly.
At the end of the feeding trial, fish in each aquarium will be weighed and counted. The following responses will be determined by the following formulas: Percent weight gain, PWG = Final weight - Initial weight/Initial weight x100; Feed efficiency, FE = wet weight gain/dry feed fed; Protein productive value, PPV = protein gain/protein intake; Percent protein deposited, PED = protein gain/protein intake x 100; Condition factor, CF = weight/lenght3; Specific growth rate, SGR = ((ln final weight - ln initial weight)/number of days) x 100. Five fish will be randomly selected from each tank for the determination of hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indexes. The hepatosomatic (HSI) and viscerosomatic (VSI) indexes will be determined by the following formulas: HSI = liver weight/body weight x 100 and VSI = (liver + empty gastrointestinal + mesenteric fat)/body weight x 100, respectively.
Data will be subjected to one-way analysis of variance (Steel and Torrie 1980). The Duncan multiple-range test will be used to test for significant differences between groups (P<0.05).
Task 2.2.2 Determine the effect of different commercially available diets and stocking densities on measurements of protein and amino acid metabolism in two strains of hybrid bluegill sunfish. (Blemings)
The objective of this phase of the project is to determine the effect of diet and stocking density on efficiency of nutrient retention and on measures of amino acid oxidation.
The efficiency of nutrient retention is important since it underlies growth and the impact on water quality. We will try to develop a laboratory test that predicts how efficient a diet will be without growing out fish on a production scale. It will be especially critical to sample fish during the period of fastest growth since we expect that this is the time that fish will be most sensitive to dietary variables. Our primary interest is in amino acid and protein nutrition and the efficiency with which the fish will use these components of their diets for growth within the framework of different growth rates. We are especially interested in lysine since this is often a limiting amino acid in fish diets.
Fish and diets. Fish will be obtained from pond and aquaria experiments. Nutrient retention experiments will use a comparative slaughter approach. Fish will be killed before they are placed in the aquaria and ponds so that we have a basis for comparison. Fish in the ponds and aquaria will be harvested at two and four weeks and thereafter on a monthly basis. Fish will be chill killed after removal of a blood sample. Fish in ponds are fed the salmonid diet that is also one of the experimental diets so that we can determine how well the aquaria reflect the pond situation. We expect the aquaria to give a more accurate assessment since these fish do not have access to wild foodstuffs.
Laboratory Analysis. Crude protein in the diets and fish will be measured by a modified Kjeldahl procedure (AOAC, 1990), and fat will be measured by ether extract (AOAC, 1990). Amino acid composition will be determined on acid hydrolyzed samples of diets and fish, and on blood to determine free amino acids by the method of Bidlingmeyer et al. (1990). Diet analysis will be done on each batch since the feed mill is expected to use least cost formulation on a batch by batch basis. These data in conjunction with the feed intake data will allow us to determine the efficiency with which each amino acid, as well as crude protein and fat have been used for growth for each diet, stocking density, and strain.
Biochemical measurements will determine more directly how each of the diets affect amino acid (lysine) degradation. Specifically, we will measure liver lysine a-ketoglutarate reductase activity, lysine a-ketoglutarate reductase mRNA, and lysine oxidation. Moreover, we will measure lysyl oxidase and lysine oxidation in muscle. We expect these are the primary places where the limiting amino acid lysine is degraded, and that lysine a-ketoglutarate reductase in liver and lysyl oxidase in muscle represents the rate limiting step in the primary pathways. We expect that fish induced to grow at different rates will differ in these measures, as is the case in mammals (Blemings et al., 1996) and birds (Manangi, 2000). We have already shown that in rats induced to grow at different rates, liver lysine oxidation and lysine a-ketoglutarate reductase activity are depressed. One would expect that fish with a reduced lysine oxidation and reductase activity to grow faster and more efficiently. Therefore, we expect that we may be able to develop this as a marker for growth. A long-term goal of this laboratory is to increase the efficiency of lysine use for protein synthesis. These studies with fish are the first to relate measures of lysine degradation with growth and efficiency of lysine (and other amino acids) retention. As we improve the efficiency with which this limiting amino acid is used for growth, we will add less lysine or lysine sources to the diet decreasing the flow of excess nutrients especially nitrogen (and presumably phosphorus depending on the lysine source) into the environment.
Statistics: Data will be analyzed by analysis of variance procedures testing for the main effects of diet, strain (Georgia Giant vs. hybrid bluegill), and environment (pond vs. aquaria) using statistical software (PC SAS). In the event of a significant F test, Duncan multiple range test will be used for the multiple comparisons.
Expected Results: We expect that fish growing faster will have increased retention of crude protein and amino acids, and we expect that the higher protein diets will improve the efficiency of retention. We expect this effect will be especially apparent in the Georgian Giant since it may have an increased growth rate. This finding would suggest an interaction between diet and strain.
Caveats and Alternative Procedures: We are not expecting difficulties with analysis of crude protein, ether extract or amino acids. If sensitivity is an issue in amino acid analysis, we can move from spectrophotometric to fluorometric detection. If the lysine a-ketoglutarate reductase activity is very low, we could move from the spectrophotometric method we currently use to an HPLC method that is more sensitive. For lysine oxidation we can increase our signal (14CO2 production) by using more tissue or incubating for longer times if that becomes necessary.
Task 2.3 Task 1.3 : Production economics for Hybrid Bluegill reared at three densities in West Virginia (D’Souza and Smith)
Enterprise (or cost and return) budgets will be developed for each of the pond-based hybrid bluegill production systems described in this proposal. The procedure will be similar to that used for the development of trout budgets (San et al., 2001). Since stocking density and feeding regimen are two variables of particular interest, optimal stocking density and feeding regimen will also be identified. To accomplish this task, production functions will be estimated using data from the aquarium and pond experiments. Standard enterprise budgeting, discounting, benefit-cost and economic optimization techniques will be employed.
Task 2.4 Determine customer satisfaction and appropriate fee structure for fee fishing enterprises who utilize these alternative species. (Schuett and Pierskalla)
This phase of the study will examine anglers’ willingness to pay for fishing opportunities, perceived satisfaction levels, and indicators and standards of quality for fee fishing experiences. A discrete-choice contingent valuation approach will be used to estimate anglers’ net willingness to pay a graduated fee (e.g., cost per length or weight of fish harvested) or a flat fee (e.g., cost per day or for each fishing pole used), or some combination of fee types. Models of visitor satisfaction including situational variables (e.g., resource, social, and management settings) in a recreational environment and subjective evaluation (e.g., individual characteristics and experiences) of the angler will be developed. As reported by anglers, the minimum acceptable conditions (e.g., time required to catch fish and the size of the fish harvested) of a fishing experience will be determined.
The investigation will be carried out over two years using a quasi-experimental design. In the first year, we will examine the fishing experience with businesses that grow trout and catfish. In the second year, hybrid bluegill will be stocked in the ponds in addition to trout and catfish.
Year 1
1. Pilot testing and site selection--Researchers will visit a variety of fee fishing businesses in West Virginia to identify potential study sites and to determine a range of fees anglers are willing to pay. (It is critical to find a balance between the range of bids that adequately represent the demand for a fee fishing experience and the number of respondents required for adequate statistical power). Sites chosen for the study will differ across other managerial (e.g., fee fishing structure), social, (e.g., family oriented) and resource characteristics (e.g., pond size) so that there is adequate variability for the development of satisfaction models. However, both businesses must provide opportunities to catch trout and catfish during the first year. A minimum of two ponds will be used in the study design.
2. Instrument development--Short on-site interviews will be developed to assess angler and trip
characteristics. Two types of questionnaires will be developed and will differ with respect to the contingent valuation question, whether they will pay a flat or graduated fee. Each angler will be offered a single and randomly chosen fee, flat or graduated. Both types of questionnaires will be randomly distributed to anglers at both study sites.
3. Sampling--Anglers will be contacted by researchers during selected periods at both study sites. One adult angler will be randomly selected from each party and given a short on-site interview (e.g., profile information) and a mail-back questionnaire (e.g., contingent valuation and satisfaction). Follow-up mailings will be used to increase the response rate. Approximately 300-400 anglers will be contacted at each study site.
Year 2
Stocking hybrid bluegill sunfish--Hybrid bluegill fishing opportunities will be provided at both study sites in addition to opportunities to catch trout and catfish.
1. Instrument development--Additional questions pertaining to angler satisfaction and indicators and standards of quality of the fishing experience will be added to the questionnaires. In addition, other contingencies will be presented to determine anglers’ willingness to pay for certain improvements to the fee fishing experience. The types of variables examined will be based on information gained during the first year of the study.
2. Sampling--The sampling plan used during the first year also will be used during the second year.
3. Data analyses--The anglers’ willingness to pay for fishing opportunities, perceived satisfaction levels, and indicators and quality standards of fee fishing experiences will be examined. A variety of models that will be developed and tested are discussed below.
a. A model that relates the log of the odds of answering ’yes’ to the log of the bid amount will be developed for a flat fee and graduated fee structure to help determine anglers’ net willingness to pay. A factor variable will be included in both models to determine the effect hybrid bluegill stocking has on anglers’ willingness to pay. Goodness of fit and t statistics will be reported for both equations.
b. Anglers’ willingness to pay for hypothetical fee fishing opportunities will be determined using logit models.
c. Anglers’ profile and overall satisfaction of the exiting fee fishing experience will be
determined using descriptive and multivariate statistics.
d. Anglers’ preferences for various management actions as they relate to standards of
quality for the fee fishing experience will be determined using descriptive and multivariate statistics.
Regardless of the fee structure examined, we expect to find differences among anglers’ willingness to pay for different fee fishing opportunities. We believe anglers may be willing to pay more for the additional opportunity to catch hybrid bluegills (a fish that might be more attractive to children) during the second year. We anticipate differences in anglers’ willingness to pay for fishing experiences under flat and graduated fees. We also expect to find a variety of variables that affect anglers’ level of satisfaction (e.g., catch per unit effort or fish size). Any generalization of study findings to other fee fishing businesses should be done with caution considering that different visitors will be contacted each year and the limited number of sites chosen for the research design.
Objective 3: Health Survey of Trout Production Facilities in West Virginia, Year 2.
Personnel: Scientists responsible for accomplishments in this task are Julie Bebak-Williams, VMD, PhD, The Freshwater Institute; Ana Baya, Ph.D., Maryland Department of Agriculture; and Kenneth J. Semmens, Ph.D., West Virginia University.
Health regulations governing the export of live salmonid fish to surrounding states have been increasing and creates a barrier to trade for small producers. This proposal requests funds to continue a health survey of trout producers which identifies presence or absence of pathogens in trout hatcheries state-wide. For each farm, the certification process will determine if fish grown in WV facilities satisfy regulatory requirements for transport of live fish from West Virginia to Maryland and Pennsylvania. This information will increase opportunities for interstate trade of live trout from WV to MD and PA. This survey may assist with preventing the transport of pathogens currently restricted by law.
From the perspective of the West Virginia trout producer, aquatic animal health policies in adjacent states have become an effective barrier to markets of live fish transported across state lines. West Virginia and Pennsylvania require testing for viral pathogens (IHNV and IPNV or VHSV). Maryland recently implemented a policy covering all species of aquatic animals and eighteen pathogens listed in four categories. West Virginia farmers wishing to sell live trout into Maryland’s recreational markets face the prospect of paying for at least seven tests to satisfy the new Aquatic Animal Health Policy. Presently the cost for these tests is $550 plus the cost of sacrificing 60 fish and transportation of the sample to the diagnostic laboratory. Most private hatcheries in West Virginia rely on spring water and purchase eggs certified to be free of specific pathogens. They may be producing trout free from the pathogens of concern, but cannot demonstrate this possibility without testing for their presence. The farmer may well consider health policies to be a bureaucratic barrier to trade.
Most West Virginia producers produce less than 50,000 lb. of trout each year and must obtain the highest possible price for their fish. Therefore, selling live fish to stock fee fishing ponds and other recreational outlets is an important market for the WV trout producer. There is no agency serving the West Virginia aquaculture industry that can conduct all the necessary tests for fish health certification. Testing is costly and time consuming. Virtually all of the trout producers in West Virginia have not conducted testing through the years to certify their facilities under the new policy.
Wild and cultured fish populations must be protected from the introduction of fish pathogens. However, there is also a need for the producer to conduct business in the face of developing aquatic animal health policy. Real or perceived, much of the barrier can be removed through testing and education. Obtaining consistent results for detection of fish pathogens provides a basis for encouraging the trout grower’s trust in the soundness of public aquatic animal health policy.
Proposed work: This project provides a mechanism by which trout farmers may become certified for interstate transport of fish through participation in a state-wide health survey. By design, the project requires participation by an aquaculture veterinarian, who oversees sample collection and shipping, maintains records, reports results to farmers and recommends management strategies for successful certification. Complete producer confidentiality will be maintained throughout the project. Dr. Julie Bebak, an aquaculture veterinarian with the Freshwater Institute, will supervise and coordinate these tasks. Technical assistance will be provided by Ms. Christine Marshall.
This proposal requests funds to continue the project for a second year. Farms are selected based on producer interest, which has been extremely positive. Currently, 20 farms (state and private) are participating, which represents 100% of the WV trout producers and a proportion of the state facilities. To date, six out of twenty farms have been sampled, with all laboratory results pending.
Throughout the project, a senior Freshwater Institute technician has been available to assist with sampling and data entry. Each sampling day, Dr. Bebak travels to the farm with a technician. In addition to sample collection, farmers are interviewed about culture conditions, management practices, and fish performance (growth, mortality, disease outbreaks). This information is summarized and used as a baseline for integrated fish health management at the farm. Participants in the survey are compensated for the 60 fish required to obtain 95 per cent confidence in the test results.
Samples are sent to the Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health Laboratory, where sample analysis is coordinated and supervised by Dr. Ana Baya. This Laboratory is the nearest APHIS approved diagnostic lab available to aquaculturists. Results of diagnostic tests from this laboratory are accepted by all states adjacent to West Virgina.
All samples are assayed for the following pathogens:
Class I
IHNV (Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus)
VHSV (Viral Hemmorrhagic Septecemia Virus)
Class II
Aeromonas salmonicida (Furunculosis)
Myxobolus cerebralis (Whirling Disease)
Renibacterium salmoninarum (Bacterial Kidney Disease)
Class III
IPNV (Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus)
Yersinia ruckeri (Enteric Redmouth)
The results reported by the diagnostic laboratory are sent to Dr. Bebak. She then matches the hatchery location with the case number. That information is protected by the Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR). Managers of participating trout production facilities are notified by phone as to whether their facility passed certification. They will also receive a written report. If the facility passes certification, current practices will be reviewed with the manager with suggestions important to maintain certification. If the facility fails certification, changes in management practices will be discussed that can be used to increase the probability of successful certification in the future.
Results identified only by case number are sent to WVU. Pooled results are analyzed to describe the fish health profile of trout facilities in West Virginia.
Objective 4. Technology Transfer
Technology transfer activities will disseminate information generated by this project to the aquaculture industry in Appalachia, to government agencies with aquaculture-related responsibilities, and to the general public. As research results become available, programs will be designed, tested, and initiated to improve communications with the aquaculture industry, other public agencies and the general public. Research results will also be published in scientific journals. The investigators will continue to collaborate with the Freshwater Institute’s Aquaculture Program, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, the West Virginia Aquaculture Association, and other organizations to deliver research findings in the most user friendly manner possible. Specific examples incude:
Aquaculture Forum. Results from the Aquaculture Food and Marketing Development Project are presented annually at the Aquaculture Forum held each January at Flatwoods, West Virginia. This meeting is sponsored by the West Virginia University, The West Virginia Aquaculture Association, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Impaired Water. Growing trout in the modular raceway system will serve both research and demonstration purposes. The facility will be featured in tours by visitors, farmers, students, research, and extension personnel whenever possible. A manual describing installation and management of the modular raceway system will be developed. A variety of images will be collected during each phase of the project and will be featured on the aquaculture home page and in presentations around the state.
Hybrid Bluegill. Growing hybrid bluegill at Palestine Fish Hatchery will also serve research and demonstration purposes. Digital images will be collected at each phase of the project and incorporated into publications, web sites, and presentations around the state. A manual describing each step of the grow out, harvest and marketing of the hybrid bluegill to the recreational market will be created. The final phase of this project will be conducted at established fee fishing businesses and will provide a powerful demonstration to the business manager and his customer.
Health Survey Matching health data from a specific farm and then providing confidential consultation with a fish health professional permits a high quality exchange of information directly to farm managers.
The aquaculture industry has great potential for improving economic conditions in West Virginia and surrounding areas in Appalachia. Demand for seafood is growing while the supply from capture fisheries is stable to declining. In the U.S., much of the increase in demand is being met by imports, a factor that contributes to the Nation’s burgeoning trade deficits. This presents an opportunity to help meet the increased demands from domestic aquaculture enterprises. Thus, research into alternative approaches to sustainable aquaculture production will contribute to the ability of the aquaculture industry to supply domestic consumers with a high quality product that is safe, wholesome and affordable.
Aquaculture production in the Central Appalachian Mountains, including West Virginia, can be characterized primarily as small-scale businesses producing rainbow trout for local food and recreational markets. Water resources available for aquaculture development in West Virginia range from low-flow cold water springs and streams with less than 200 gpm to large springs and discharges from active and abandoned mine sites with 1,000 to 5,000 gpm. The aquaculture industry possesses a limited infrastructure and is not well organized or influential. There are a variety of constraints to aquaculture industry growth and enterprise establishment. Those targeted for remediation by this project include:
1) Lack of information regarding production of rainbow trout in effluent from AMD treatment plants,
2) Need for easily constructed raceway systems in isolated locations with flexibility for installation on steep or nearly level slopes,
3) Concrete as the only logical material for raceway construction in small scale trout farms,
4) Unknown safety and palatability of fish reared in effluent from AMD treatment plants,
5) Limited number of proven species available to both fish farm and fee fishing business managers,
6) Need for science based fish health management, and certification of trout hatcheries so transport of live fish will become safe and routine.
Impaired Water.
Water originating from active or abandoned mines may be the most important natural resource available for the development of aquaculture in West Virginia. In a mine water inventory conducted in 1994 by the Freshwater Institute (Jenkins et al., 1995), it was estimated that an aggregate volume of 118,000 gpm was available throughout West Virginia for development by the aquaculture industry. Further, it was reported that 53% of the available volume was suitable for production of rainbow trout without additional treatment. In another survey, over half of the producers cited inadequate water supply a factor in limiting their ability to expand (Campbell et al., 1995).
Since 1994, there have been changes in mining activities, and modification in treatment systems which influence available mine water volume and its quality. In the years since the studies conducted by Jenkins et al. (1995) and Campbell et al. (1995), rainbow trout have been grown commercially in mine water at two facilities near Beckley, West Virginia, thus demonstrating the biological feasibility and market acceptance of the resulting product.
Making use of the vast quantities of water available from West Virginia mining operations will require the development of methods and technologies to manage risk and provide a consistent water volume with suitable quality for the production of trout. Heinen (1996) concluded that treated mine water is expected to be suitable for growing trout. However, the need for consistent water quality was stressed as being critical for the health of the fish and subsequent consumer confidence. In a cooperative agreement between Mettiki Coal Corporation (MCC) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Freshwater Fisheries Division, the technical efficacy of using impaired mine waters was demonstrated (http://www.gcnet.net/mettiki/). Since 1994, trout have been grown in net pens suspended in the flow from an acid mine drainage treatment system. The 5,000 gpm discharged from the AMD treatment process has a pH of 8.1, dissolved oxygen of 8 ppm, temperatures ranging from 52 to 60O F, and sulfate concentrations in excess of 1,500 ppm. (personal communication, J. Michael Dean, Maryland DNR, Oakland, Maryland).
Heinen (1996) lists 13 elements that the EPA considers water-quality priority pollutants. They are of possible concern because fish may accumulate them in high enough concentrations to be a health concern. Mercury, cadmium, and selenium were considered high priority pollutants; arsenic and lead were considered medium priority pollutants; and chromium, copper, zinc, antimony, nickel, silver, beryllium and thallium were considered low priority pollutants. He recommended that fillets of fish grown in mine water be analyzed for mercury, cadmium, and selenium. He also recommended analysis for medium and low priority elements if they are present in the water at unusually high levels.
Hybrid Bluegill
Member of the sunfish
genus, Lepomis, may be the most widely sought group of game fish in
the
Hybrid bluegill sunfish possess a variety of characteristics which make them suitable for production in West Virginia for the fee fishing market. Fingerlings are easily produced in ponds and readily accept a pelleted diet. They will grow and aggressively attack the bait throughout the spring, summer and autumn seasons and are respected for their tenacity when hooked ( Brunson and Robinette 1986, Tidwell and Webster 1993, Brunson and Morris 2000 ). Many anglers recognize the table qualities of sunfish and readily accept sunfish despite their small size (usually <1lb).
Little research has been conducted on intensive production of sunfish. Tidwell et al. (1994) stocked large fingerlings (66 g) at a density of 12,350/ha for 371 days in 0.04 ha ponds and fed a 36% protein catfish diet. Net yield and gross yield were 1925 and 3565 kg/ha, respectively. He recommended investigating the effects of higher stocking densities on feed utilization and improving feeding regimes.
Sunfish are commonly grown in locations where channel catfish are the predominant species cultured. As such, catfish diets have been the diet of choice. The importance of a higher protein diet is becoming increasingly apparent. Tidwell et al. (1992) conducted a feeding trial in aquaria to evaluate protein requirements of juvenile hybrid bluegill sunfish weighing 4.7 g. Fish fed three isocaloric diets containing 26, 31, or 37% protein had respective feed conversion of 2.6, 2.3 and 1.9. Cook and Scurlock (1998) fed a 50% protein salmon starter diet to redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) of similar size and documented a feed conversion of 1.33. Similar results have been observed with hybrid bluegill in cages (L. Tiu, personal communication). Commercial producers of largemouth bass in Arkansas choose a high protein, high fat diet to minimize accumulation of glycogen in the liver (Goodwin et al., 2000).
Brunson and Morris (2000) state “There is no reliable economic data on the market for sunfish or the cost of production.” This is in spite of demand for food size sunfish in both food and recreational markets. Producers generally have little difficulty selling the fish. Tidwell (2001) indicated excellent acceptance by customers of fee fishing lakes in Kentucky and cited the willingness of one pay lake operator to pay $2.50/lb for fish weighing 150 grams or more.
Willingness to Pay. Willingness to pay (WTP) is a survey or experimental method used to estimate the economic value for realistic and hypothetical goods and services. The method has been applied in over 50 countries, resulting in over 2,000 published papers in the last 35 years (Carson, 2000). Outdoor recreation is among the topics that have been examined. Considering that markets for recreational services are often incomplete, WTP has been used to successfully measure the otherwise elusive value of recreation experiences and aesthetics (Hoehn, 1987).
As recommended by the U.S. Water Resources Council (1983), net willingness to pay is the preferred measure of economic value for marketed and nonmarketed resources, and it has been examined in a variety of fishing studies. In a contingent valuation study of lake and reservoir fishing trips in Montana, Brooks (1990) calculated net willingness to pay by taking “the difference between the maximum amount an individual would be willing to pay before foregoing the use of a resource or commodity and the amount they must actually pay.” In that study, the researchers collected information on trip costs, distance traveled, and the value of the fishing trip. To calculate the value of current fishing trips under existing and hypothetical conditions, they asked study participants to respond to a dichotomous choice contingent valuation question. That is, they offered a randomly selected bid (an amount that would be paid in addition to total trip costs) to respondents in a questionnaire, and recorded a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ reply depending on whether or not they were willing to pay the stipulated amount. Logit models with logged bid values were developed to help calculate the net economic value. This approach also has been used in other fishing studies. For example, O’Neill and Davis (1992) estimated the consumer willingness to pay for recreational angling permits and licenses. They discovered that anglers enjoyed significant consumer surplus--26 percent above the prevailing price in 1988. In both studies, the results were successfully used to help guide management and policy decisions associated with modifying fees and improving the situational condition of the fee fishing experience.
Satisfaction. Visitor satisfaction has been the traditional measure of quality in outdoor recreation (ORRRC, 1962). Recent studies in outdoor recreation suggest that overall measures of satisfaction are multidimensional, affected by situational variables (e.g., resource, social, and management settings) in a recreational environment and subjective evaluation (e.g., individual characteristics and experiences) of the angler (Manning, 1999; Whisman & Hollenhorst, 1998). In this study, angler satisfaction will be measured using multiple factors going beyond economic value and include the setting, angler profile, and other situational variables.
Indicators
and Standards of Quality:
Setting attributes are used to define the acceptable,
appropriate resource and social conditions of a recreational environment.
In the Montana lake and reservoir fishing study, respondents rated catching
large trout/salmon and catching many fish as important motives for fishing
a particular reservoir (Brooks, 1990). These findings are consistent
with anglers’ valuation of these improved conditions. For instance,
the study results indicate that the net economic value of a fishing
trip increased from $166 to $194 when the chance to catch large trout
increased. In addition, the value of a fishing trip increased to $208
when the likelihood of catching more fish increased. These findings
suggest that the size and numbers of fish caught might be indicators
of the quality fishing experience. For example, the amount of time
required to catch a limit of fish or the size of the largest fish caught
might be indicative of the density and distribution characteristics
of the fish population and the quality of the fishing experience.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists 1990. Official Methods of Analysis 15th edition. Washington, DC.
American Public Health Association 1998. Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater, 20th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.
Bardach, JE; JH Ryther; and WO McLarney 1972. Aquaculture, The Farming ahd Husbandry of Freshwater and Marine Organisms. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
Bidlingmeyer, B.A., SA Cohen, TL Tarvin and B Frost. 1987. A new rapid high-sensitivity analysis of amino acids in food type samples. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 70:241-247.
Blemings, KP, MJ Gahl, TD Crenshaw, and NJ Benevenga. 1996. Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin Decreases Hepatic Amino Acid Catabolism in Female Rats. J. Nutr. 126:1657-1661.
Brooks, R. 1990. Montana bioeconomics study: A contingent valuation of lake and reservoir fishing: Angler attitudes and economic benefits. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Brunson, MW and HR Robinette. 1986. Evaluation of male bluegill x female green sunfish hybrids for stocking Mississippi farm ponds. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 6:156-167.
Brunson, M.W. and J.E. Morris 2000. Species Profile:Sunfish. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Stoneville, MS, Publication No. 724.
Campbell, L. G., A. M. Spicer, C. T. Bast. 1995. “The 1994 Survey of Aquaculture in West Virginia.” WVU Extension Publication, Morgantown, WV.
Carson, R.T. 2000. Contingent valuation: A user’s guide. Environ. Sci. Technol. 34,1413-1418.
Cook, S.B. and G. D. Scurlock, Jr. 1998. Potential feed conversion of redear sunfish fed nutritionally complete formulated diets. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 60:55-58.
Davis,
J.C. 1975. Minimal dissolved oxygen requirement of aquatic life with
special emphasis on Canadian species: A review. Journal of the Fisheries
Research Board of
Goodwin, AE., Tieman, DM., Lochmann, RT., Mitchell, AJ 2000. Massive hepatic necrosis and nodular regeneration in largemouth bass fed diets high in available carbohydrate. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop. R.C. Cipriano ed. p16
Haard, Norman. 1992. Control of chemical composition and food quality attributes of cultured fish. Food Research International 25: 289-307.
Haskell , D.C. 1959. Trout growth in hatcheries. New York Fish and Game Journal 6: 205-237.
Heinen, J. 1996. “Water Quality Criteria, Uptake, Bioaccumulation, and Public Health Considerations for Chemicals of Possible Concern for Culture of Rainbow Trout.” The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, Shepherdstown, W.V.
Hoehn, J.P. 1987. Contingent valuation in fisheries management: The design of satisfactory contingent valuation formats. American Fisheries Society 116:412-419.
Jenkins, M., Wade, E., Fletcher, J., and J. Hankins. 1995. “Economic Analysis of Non-Traditional Water Resources for Aquaculture in West Virginia.” Technical Report funded in part by Appalachian Regional Commission, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
Klontz, George W. 1996. Concepts and Methods of Intensive Aquaculture. Nelson & Sons, Inc. Murray, Utah.
Manangi, M. 2000. Chicken Lysine a-Ketoglutarate Reducatse (LKR) in Different Tissues and Effects of Graded Levels of Dietary Lysine on LKR and Lysine Oxidation (Master's Thesis-West Virginia University)
Manning, R.E. 1999. . Studies in outdoor recreation: Search and research for satisfaction (2nd ed.). Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press.
O’Neill, J. and
Davis, C. 1992. Discrete-choice valuation of recreational angling in
Outdoor Recreation
Resources Review Commission. 1962. Outdoor recreation for
Ponzurick, T., Logar, C., & Semmens, K. 2001. Marketing WV aquaculture: Recreational fee fishing. Aquaculture Forum, Flatwoods/Sutton, WV.
Setälä, Jari, K. Saarni, and Asmo Honkanen. 1997. The quality perceptions of rainbow trout defined by different fish markets. Proceedings of the IXth Annual Conference of the European Association of Fisheries Economist: 1-13.
Soderberg, Richard W. 1994. Flowing Water Fish Culture. CRC Press. Boca Raton, Florida.
Steel, R.G. and J. H. Torrie.
1980. Principles and procedures of statistics, a biometric approach,
2nd edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, New York,
Tidwell, JH; Webster, CD; Clark JA 1992. Growth, feed conversion and protein utilization of female green sunfish x male bluegill hybrids fed isocaloric diets with different protein levels. Progressive Fish Culturist 54:234-239.
Tidwell, JH; Webster, CE; 1993. Effects of stocking density and dietary protein on green sunfish (Lepomis Cyanellus) x bluegill (L. macrochirus) hybrids overwintered in ponds. Aquaculture vol. 113, no 1-2, pp 83-89.
Tidwell, JH; Webster, CD; Clark, JA; Brunson, MW 1994. “Pond culture of female green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) x male bluegill (L. macrochirus) hybrids stocked at two sizes and densities.” Aquaculture vol. 126 no 3/4. 305-313.
Tidwell, JH 2001. Culture of Hybrid Bluegill. Aquaculture Magazine. Vol 27 no. 1, pp 12-13.
USEPA 1997. Test Methods For Evaluating Solid Waste, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Information Center, Cincinnati, OH.
USEPA 1983. Design Manual,
Neutralization of Acid Mine Drainage.
Whisman, S., and Hollenhorst, S. 1998. A path model of white water boating satisfaction on the Cheat River of West Virginia. Environmental Management, 22: 109-117.
In cooperation with two different coal companies, we are conducting bioassays at three other AMD plants in West Virginia. This work complements impaired water research supported in the Aquaculture Food and Market Development Project and meshes well with the technology transfer component of this project. This work is supported by a grant from the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center, a grant obtained by the Tucker County Economic Development Authority, and will receive support from the Water Resources Research Institute here at WVU in 2001. This work will provide data on water quality, as well as survival of rainbow trout in cages at three AMD treatment plants in addition to the work outlined in this grant proposal.
Additional work relating to this project conducted at WVU is the trout genome project, a study conducted by Drs. Logar and Ponzurick regarding fee fishing at Ogleby Park funded by the Benedum Foundation, and a “Partnerships For Innovation” grant from the National Science Foundation to Dr. Davalos for development of novel HFRP materials for industrial applications such as bridge decks and aquaculture raceways.
The physical facilities of West Virginia University will be utilized for developing, analyzing and reporting the study. Facilities of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences will draw upon resources from three divisions, Animal and Veterinary Science, Forestry (Recreation and Parks), Resource Management (Economics). Resources of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Division of the College of Engineering, the Extension Service and the Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at WVU will provide additional resources. Personal computers (IBM compatible) and software provided by the institution will be used in implementing this process.
Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Pertinent to task 1.6 are a meat processing laboratory (1100 ft²), meat chemistry laboratory (750 ft²), coolers (940 ft²), and a walk-in freezer (150 ft²). The meat processing laboratory is equipped with a grinder, meat stuffer, band saws, mixers, and stuffers. A Griffith mincemaster emulsion mill, Hobart bowl mixer, and microprocessor controlled smokehouse are available. Additionally, an Instron Universal testing machine (Model TM), interfaced with data acquisition hardware and signal processing software is available for texture analysis. The meat chemistry lab is equipped with water baths, Beckman spectrophotometer, Minolta chromometer, drying oven, vertical slab gel electrophoresis unit, Goldfisch and Soxhlet fat extractors, and an ashing oven. A Tecator digestion and distillation unit for Kjehdahl nitrogen determinations is also accessible. The sensory analysis will be done at Cornell University.
Pertinent to Task 2.2 is the laboratory managed by Dr. Blemings. This laboratory is equipped with a spectrophotometer (Beckman DU 640), a fluorometer (Turner Designs -700) and a liquid scintillation counter (Beckman LS 1800). The laboratory also has electrophoresis equipment and power supplies, a computer for data analysis, shaking water baths, water baths, tissuer grinders and homogenizers and scales. We have also obtained funding for an HPLC with in-line radioactivity detection that will arrive in the laboratory July 2001. He is cleared for the use of radioisotopes in this laboratory.
Within the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences there is access to pH meters, gamma counters, centrifuges (nano, micro, clinical, superspeed, and ultra), light microscopes, speed-vac, sonicating waterbath, autoclave, fume hoods, refrigerators and freezers, film developer, water purification system, and the expertise of the station statistician. There is also a cell culture facility including a laminar flow hood, orbital shakers, and several incubators including a water-jacketed CO2 incubator.
Blood (stress) analysis pertinent to task 1.4 will be conducted at West Virginia University. The chloride analyzer, spectrophotometers, and Gamma counters for cortisol determination are available at WVU.
Engineering. For objective 1 research (tasks 1.1, 1.2, 1.3), the facilities of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will be utilized. Work will be conducted in West Virginia University's Mineral Resource and Engineering Science Buildings (MRB and ESB, respectively) which contain over 5000 ft2 of laboratory space. In particular, WVU-CEE has recently renovated and re-equipped wet chemistry laboratories which will be utilized in objective 1 work. Analytical equipment on the premises includes: one atomic absorption spectrophotometer; three gas chromatographs with multiple detector arrays (PID and FID) and a purge and trap apparatus; two total organic carbon analyzers; three automated pH titrators; one scanning electron microscope; and one UV-visual light absorbence spectrophotometer. Further, the National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE) located adjacent to the engineering facilities also will conduct water quality analyses as part of Objective 1 research. The NRCCE facility is currently a West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection certified laboratory.
Water and mineral analysis will be done in conjunction with the analytical laboratory at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy which is located on the West Virginia University campus. The laboratory is EPA certified for performing analysis under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System of the Clean Water Act. All analytical methods are EPA approved and have a standard Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol. The laboratory was recently awarded an analytical contract for water inorganics by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for mining and reclamation projects. The laboratory is in close proximity of those of the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and the collaboration under this project will most likely lead to additional cooperation between the two organizations.
Under objective 4, the publication facilities and publications personnel of the WVU Extension Service and College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences will be used for development and implementation of technology transfer activities. Project personnel have access to the internet and the Extension Service’s Aquaculture Web Page.
West Virginia State College. Institutional resources at West Virginia State College will be available for successful completion of the task 2.2.1. Nutrition research studies will be conducted at the newly constructed Aquaculture Nutrition Laboratory, which consists of research wet-laboratory for aquaria studies, analytical laboratory, a feed preparation room and feed preparation equipment, and an office space. The wet laboratory equipment includes 36
29-gallon glass aquaria, weighing balance, dechlorinator and air blowers. The dry laboratory consists of a modern analytical laboratory for evaluating water and fish tissue samples and housed the equipment for proximate analysis, histopathology preparation and immunological assays.
Palestine State Fish Hatchery. Production of hybrid bluegill sunfish in task 2.1 will be conducted at Palestine State Fish Hatchery. This facility has approximately 20 acres of earthen ponds, a hatchery, office, garage, and equipment for production of warmwater fish. Electrical service, aerators, and oxygen monitoring equipment will be installed prior to conducting the research.
AMD Treatment Pond In accordance with Phase III of this project, we will install a modular raceway system drawing water (about 500 gpm) by gravity from the AMD treatment pond. The system will be located immediately below the impoundment and feature paired units with four steps, for a total of eight individual tanks.
| Task |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Q5 |
Q6 |
Q7 |
Q8 |
| 1.1 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 1.2 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 1.3 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 1.4 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 1.5 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 1.6 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 2.1 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 2.2 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 2.3 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 2.4 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
|
| 3 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
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| 4 |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
Principal Investigator
Kenneth J. Semmens. Dr. Semmens, is State Extension Specialist for Aquaculture and specializes in aquaculture with twenty years of experience producing and marketing a wide variety of warm, cool and coldwater fish species. He holds a joint appointment with the Cooperative Extension Service and the West Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. He will oversee the execution of the project’s activities, assist the co-investigators with problems and issues that arise, facilitate resource allocation, help assure that the project is carried out in a timely manner and integrate project activities in support of the aquaculture industry in West Virginia.
Co-Investigators
Kenneth P. Blemings is an assistant professor of nutritional biochemistry in the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and a member of the Genetics and Developmental Biology Program at West Virginia University. His research interests are in the efficiency of nutrient utilization, gene-nutrient interactions, and regulation of growth. He will supervise a graduate student who will do the protein and amino acid metabolism studies.
Julio Davalos is C.W. Benedum Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University. His primary research interests are analytical and applied mechanics, characterization of wood and fiber-reinforced polymer composites, structural and bridge engineering, and effective teaching methods. Dr. Davalos has produced design manuals and taught courses on composite materials. He will lead the task which makes structural evaluation of the modular raceway.
Gerard E. D'Souza. Dr. D'Souza will have primary responsibility for developing economic analysis for hybrid bluegill sunfish production (task 2.3) He will collaborate with the other agricultural and resource economists and the marketing specialists on the team, assisting in development of enterprise budgets and performing related farm-level analysis of costs and returns.
P. Brett Kenney. Dr. Kenney, with technician support, will coordinate work in task 1.6. He will supervise a research technician and Post-doctoral Fellow in the conduct of experiments that evaluate quality of trout flesh of trout reared raceways below the AMD treatment pond. He will focus on palatability, composition, and fresh storage stability. Current research projects are being conducted to examine the effect of management practices on quality of fresh and smoked trout products.
David A. Masciola, is Research Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering. His areas of expertise are modeling of hybrid environmental treatment processes and environmental water quality. He will work on task 1.2 “collection of effluent data from raceway systems” and is budgeted for 15% time over a 1 year period.
Patricia M. Mazik. Dr. Mazik, with technical support, she will coordinate and manage the fish sampling for stress and contaminants. She will supervise a MS student and coordinate the overall fish sampling. She will supervise data interpretation and information dissemination through scientific and popular press. Dr. Mazik has previously performed fish biology and aquaculture research.
Chad D. Pierskalla, Dr. Pierskalla, Assistant Professor in Recreation, Parks and Tourism
Resources, will work with Dr. Schuett to study the factors that contribute to the quality of fee fishing experiences and anglers' willingness to pay for different fishing opportunities. He will help supervise graduate students during all phases of the study. He has research experience in
recreation resource management.
Michael Schuett is an Associate Professor in the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources Program. With technical support, he will coordinate the willingness to pay and angler satisfaction component of the two year project, including questionnaire development, data collection and analysis. Dr. Schuett has been working in the area of the human dimensions of natural resources for 15 years.
Dennis K. Smith, Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, will collaborate on the economic analysis for hybrid bluegill sunfish production (task 2.3). Dr. Smith has extensive research experience in rural development and enterprise analysis.
Roger C. Viadero, Jr., Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Viadero is collaborating with Drs. Semmens and Masciola on the collection of effluent data (Task 1.2) from the new HFRP raceway system as well as providing engineering support for the production of rainow trout in Task 1.1. Dr. Viadero will administer to the structural engineering research (Task 1.3). Dr. Viadero has previously led research on engineering aspects of water treatment in recirculating aquaculture systems used to raise yellow perch. Further, Dr. Viadero is a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture’s Effluents Task Force.
Other Project Participants
Julie Bebak-Williams is an aquaculture research veterinarian with a specialty in epidemiology. Dr. Bebak-Williams will coordinate and carry out farm visits and subsequent follow-up with the producers. Technical support will be provided Christine Marshall, a senior research technician at the Freshwater Institute. Facilities available at the Freshwater Institute include fully equipped pathology and water chemistry laboratories.
Jonathan Eya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology of West Virginia State College. His area of specialty is aquaculture nutrition and has conducted research in various aspect of fish nutrition including nutrient requirements of fishes, waste reduction in aquaculture and the role of nutrition in fish immune responses and disease resistance. Dr. Eya will use his expertise in the evaluation of different commercial diets as food source for hybrid bluegill. The tasks include feeding trials, data collection and analyses of these data.
Rodney Kiser is a Research Assistant in Animal and Veterinary Sciences at West Virginia University. He a critical part of the product quality work with responsibility for harvesting and filleting trout, and coordinating all fresh and smoked product analyses. He completed his BS degree in Animal Science at WVU in 1999, and he has been a with the Special Aquaculture project since its inception. In addition to his primary responsibilities for ongoing fillet quality work , he will share responsibility for care and feeding of fish in the raceway system at the AMD treatment pond.
Chris Obara, is a biologist with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. He is responsible for administration of the warmwater fish hatcheries in West Virginia. With the assistance of hatchery technicians, he will coordinate use of the Palestine State Fish Hatchery for production of hybrid bluegill sunfish (task 2.1).
Daniel Miller,
M.S., is a Research Assistant at West Virginia University working in
the Animal and Veterinary Science and the Agricultural and Resource
Economics Program. Mr. Miller’s work experience emphasizes the biological
and production aspects of aquaculture and fisheries. He has served
as a manager of and consultant on several aquaculture‑related
projects in various parts of the
| Table 2. Time Commitments of Project Participants |
||
| Investigator |
Objective/Task |
Percentage of Time |
| Ken Blemings |
2.2.2 |
10% |
| Julio Davalos |
1.3 |
5% |
| Gerard D’Souza |
2.3 |
5% |
| Brett Kenney |
1.6 |
5% |
| Patricia Mazik |
1.4, 1.5 |
5% |
| |
2.4 |
5% |
| Kenneth Semmens |
All |
15% |
| Michael Schuett |
2.4 |
15% |
| Dennis Smith |
2.3 |
5% |
| Roger Viadero |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3 |
7% |
| David Masciola 1.1, 1.3 15% |
||
| Post-Doctoral Fellows and Technicians |
||
| Daniel Miller |
2.1, 4 |
100 |
| Rodney Kisner |
1.1, 1.6 |
100 |
Collaboration and Subcontract Arrangements
A variety of collaborative efforts between West Virginia University, and other educational institutions as well as State, Federal, and private sector agencies and enterprises will occur throughout. Project investigators in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, and College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will collaborate with each other and with the West Virginia University Extension Service in data collection. Collaboration will also take place with the WV Department of Agriculture, WV Division of Natural Resources, and WV Division of Environmental Protection with respect to state regulatory issues involving aquaculture product safety, quality, and processing practices.
The research initiatives outlined in this project are expected to complement the research areas identified as priorities for the new USDA/Agricultural Research Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research located in Leetown, West Virginia including genetics, diseases, and production of cool and cold water fishes. This proposal addresses research issues in marketing and economics of cold water fish species which are equally important to the development of an aquaculture industry in Appalachia. The continuation of research devoted to advancing the aquaculture industry in Appalachia at both West Virginia University and the Leetown ARS facility will likely lead to more significant collaborative research efforts in the future.
Additionally, project researchers will utilize the resources of the Northeast Region Aquaculture Center (NRAC). In turn, West Virginia University expects that research from this project will add to NRAC's database of knowledge concerning fish culture that they share with the aquaculture industry. West Virginia University researchers and extension specialists have already had projects funded through NRAC and an extension specialist in aquaculture serves in the Regional Extension Project Work group and the Technical/Industry Advisory Council.
The Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute in Shepherdstown, West Virginia will participate in and contribute to the project. Their special expertise will come to bear with the fish health survey. In addition, West Virginia fish producers and fee fishing businesses will collaborate with project researchers in various aspects of the project. Consol Energy and Kansas Structural Composites, Inc., will collaborate with the impaired water objective and provide a site for evaluation of the modular raceway.
Subcontracting Arrangements
Subcontracts used for carrying out project activities will include the WV Division of Natural Resources, West Virginia State College, and The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute. WV Division of Natural Resources will contract to provide ponds space, labor and facilities for production of hybrid bluegill sunfish in task 2.1 ($54,390). West Virginia State College with contract to assess four commercially available diets for growth of hybrid bluegill in aquaria in task 2.2.1 ($15,708). The Freshwater institute will contract to conduct the health survey in objective 3 ($53,660).
Expected Impacts
The long term expected impact of this research is a growing, economically viable aquaculture industry that contributes to the economic development of West Virginia and other Appalachian states. The research to be carried out under the FY 2001 funding will have impacts that contribute to that long term expected result through a set of specific research activities under the following four objectives.
In objective 1, we will evaluate production of rainbow trout in a modular raceway system utilizing water from an acid mine drainage treatment plant. Approximately half of the top twenty sites listed by Jenkins et. al. (1995) require treatment. These are sites with the large volumes of necessary for economical production of trout (i.e. >1000 gpm). Proposed work in this objective will evaluate the structural performance of HFRP materials as raceway modules. The flexibility of modular construction and the simplicity of site preparation will provide an option to traditional permanent concrete systems. Additional work in this objective will examine the flesh quality of trout grown in AMD treated water and determine if fish accumulate metals in excess of recommended rates. With assurance that the fish are safe to eat and that quality is competitive with similar trout products, the industry will be built on a solid foundation.
In objective 2, we will determine if fee fishing businesses can enhance and diversify their businesses with an alternative species, hybrid bluegill sunfish. Approximately half of fish grown in West Virginia are marketed through recreational markets. When this project is completed growers will understand how to grow hybrid bluegill and the associated costs. Fee fishing operators will understand how the fish perform in a fee fishing business, and what customers are willing to pay for the experience. If the market will support a price that allows growers adequate profit, we will have a new aquaculture species to grow and the market to consume that production.
In objective 3, there will be two basic impacts. In the short run, we will increase awareness of fish health management on established trout farms and provide the means by which West Virginia trout producers can become certified so they will be able to sell fish into adjacent states. In the long run, we will obtain baseline information regarding fish health on trout farms in West Virginia such that fish health professionals, policy makers, and the public can develop an understanding of the fish health status in West Virginia and make decisions based on data rather than general perceptions.
The final objective is to develop and implement effective technology transfer procedures to assure that research results from the project are transferred to client groups rapidly and effectively which will increase the rate and effectiveness of growth of the industry in the Appalachian Region.