Project Number: WVA00147
CRIS Number: 0186579
Aquaculture Food and Marketing Project
Investigators: Dailey, R. A., Semmens, K., D'Souza, G., Smith, D., Kenney, P. B., Mazik, P.
Performing Department: Animal & Veterinary Science -- 1877
Start Date: 09/01/2000
Termination Date: 08/31/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
Obj. 1. Impaired water research. Research was conducted to minimize raceway handling and manufacturing costs while improving structural performance and durability through the design, optimization, and implementation of a raceway system constructed of a honeycomb fiber-reinforced polymer (HFRP). (1) Computer aided design of HFRP raceways was conducted in coordination with KSCI. Cross-sectional and plan views of a modular raceway have been completed. (2) Coupon samples of HFRP material were tested in WVU-CEE structural engineering test facilities as part of preliminary tank design. (3) Preliminary drawings and design of HFRP raceways has been completed. Obj. 2. Economic Analyses (1) Statewide economic impacts (or multipliers) for: (a) two different levels of food-fish production increases (one- and three-million lbs, respectively), and (b) two types of fee-fishing increases (local and non-local anglers, respectively) were estimated using IMPLAN economic-development software. (2) A nationwide telephone survey of 7,500 households will be conducted to evaluate impact and consumer acceptance of GM and organic fish. (3) Data are being collected from the ongoing bio-assays at mine sites around the state. These data, together with price data from secondary sources, will be used to conduct the economic assessment of this task. Other ongoing analyses that do not relate to a specific task but that contribute to the overall objectives of the project include an economic assessment of alternative species and production systems. To this end, development of an enterprise budget for hybrid striped bass in ponds and an enterprise budget for bait fish production is under way. Obj. 3 Product Quality (1) Effect of brine concentration and brining time on quality of smoked rainbow trout fillets. Brining time linearly increased myofibrillar protein solubility, fillet weight loss after brining, total and water-phase salt content, and cooked ash content and linearly decreased water activity and brined and cooked moisture content. (2) Effect of vacuum tumbling with direct salting or brining on smoked trout fillets. Five brining and direct salting treatments were applied with or without vacuum tumbling: 1) brining, B; 2) direct salting, DS; 3) tumble followed by brining; TB; 4) tumble followed by direct salting, TDS; and 5) tumble with brine, TWB. Cook yield, moisture, protein and fat were not affected (P>0.05) by treatment. Shear force of DS (652 g) was greater (P
Publications:
Mathias, J. S. 2001. Effect of vacuum tumbling with direct salting or brining on smoked trout fillets. MS Thesis Report, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
Miller, Daniel, Ken Semmens, and Qingyun Sun. Aquaculture as a Post-Mining Land use in West Virginia. Abstract, Aquaculture America 2002 conference, San Diego, CA, January 27, 2002
Wang, Weiqiao, Julio F. Davalos, Roger C. Viadero, Kenneth Semmens, Jerry D. Plunkett, 2001. Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sandwich Panels for Modular Raceway Fish Culture Tanks. Abstract, 16th Annual Technical Conference by the American Society for Composites, Blacksburg, VA. September 9-12, 2001.
Impact:
Results show that if aquaculture production in WV doubles from current production levels, statewide output and value-added (which includes additional wages and business tax revenues) would increase by approximately $2 million and $1 million, respectively, and 55 additional jobs would be created. Responded to over 300 requests (a 20% increase over 2000) for aquaculture information from 51 West Virginia counties, 14 states, and one foreign country. Twenty-nine site evaluations were conducted in 2001.