AquaFort & IMTA
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Local Participation in Offshore Aquaculture
New Hampshire Sea Grant’s AquaFort will serve as a offshore aquaculture training platform and research site. The two-year AquaFort research program will recruit local fishermen and farmers from NH, ME, and MA to participate in workshops and daily operations of an offshore aquaculture farm. During this period (2018-2020) the AquaFort will be constructed and deployed, and two seasonal grow-out trials will be conducted. Participants will benefit from hands-on training in:
- Site selection and permitting
- Cage construction and deployment
- Fingerling acclimation to seawater and transport
- Aquaculture of Steelhead trout, mussels, and kelp
- Farm maintenance
- Harvest and transport to market
- Economic analysis of farming the AquaFort
- Aquaculture business planning
Our Goal:
Successful execution of the AquaFort program will lead to (1) increased investment and employment opportunities in offshore aquaculture, (2) the production of fresh, local seafood, and (3) reduced reliance on seafood imports.
What is IMTA?
Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is a self-contained aquaculture system that allows multiple species to grow at the same time within a single floating structure. “Multi-trophic” refers to levels of a food web. Each of the different species in the IMTA system provides a benefit to the others: Steelhead trout, blue mussels, kelp and dulse.
Watch this video to learn more:
CONTACT
Michael Chambers, Ph.D.
Aquaculture Extension Specialist
michael.chambers@unh.edu
(603) 862-3394
Gabriela Bradt, Ph.D.
Fisheries Extension Specialist
gabriela.bradt@unh.edu
(603) 862-2033
Arron Jones
Aquaculture Program Manager
arron.jones@unh.edu
Farmed Species:
Blue Mussels
