Aerial view of TAREC

UH Mānoa units team up to open new aquaculture center

UNITED STATES
Friday, September 20, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

A recently completed aquaculture facility, encompassing approximately 8,600 square feet and containing two recirculation systems used to house aquatic organisms in freshwater or saltwater, is now in operation at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

The Tuahine Aquaculture Research and Education Center (TAREC) was established as a partnership between the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and UH Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant).

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant staff visits with CTAHR leadership and students at TAREC (left) and CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal and Seale in front of TAREC (right)

“Ultimately, through a versatile and integrated system design capable of providing animals with a range of environmental conditions, the main goal of TAREC is to provide a platform for integrated research, extension and education activities that address aquaculture industry needs and funding agency priorities while supporting workforce development,” said CTAHR Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Science Professor Andre Seale, who spearheaded the project.

There are nearly 80 tanks and experimental aquaria ranging in capacity from 20–5,000 liters. The facility is currently housing tilapia broodstock and Native Hawaiian sea cucumbers for ongoing research projects. Seale and his students are also conducting a Hawaiʻi Sea Grant-funded study on striped mullet culture for Hawaiian fishpond restocking efforts.

Andre Seale with graduate and undergraduate students in front of TAREC

“We have been thrilled to work with Dr. Seale over the past several years to help create a much needed aquaculture facility at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and look forward to our continued partnership on aquaculture research, outreach, and education activities,” Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Director Darren Lerner said.

Seale is also utilizing TAREC for experiential learning activities on aquaculture systems for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in his aquaculture production course. Future outreach and education activities include collaborating with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant on aquaculture training workshops for the community.

Funding for TAREC was provided by the UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research, CTAHR, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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