AEDE’s Dr. Steven S. Vickner and Dr. Laura Tiu, Aquaculture Specialist at OSU’s South Centers, recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Ohio Sea Grant Program to conduct research on the sustainable management of commercial aquaculture systems in Ohio.
The funding for the one year project, titled “Sustainable Management of Commercial Aquaculture: Implications for the Supply and Demand of Seafood,” will enable the researchers to conduct an economic analysis of the aquaculture industry in Ohio and identify national seafood trends to inform Ohio producers.
The researchers will conduct a survey of Ohio aquaculture producers with the goal of revising the Ohio Aquaculture Enterprise Budgets and to produce an estimate of the amount of seafood produced in Ohio via aquaculture. The findings will be compared to national aquaculture statistics, which will be available in October 2014 when the results of the 2013 U.S. Census of Aquaculture is released. Through this analysis it is anticipated that a thorough understanding of the current state of the aquaculture industry in Ohio will be obtained.
Additionally, through the grant the researchers aim to analyze the frozen seafood market in the U.S. with the goal of sharing these results with Ohio producers. The project will require the engagement of a Master’s level student studying at AEDE who will help to proctor the survey and compile the results.
In his work at Ohio State, Dr. Vickner focuses on agribusiness management and marketing. He has received other grants related to the study of sustainable agriculture, including ongoing funding from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Pest Management Alternatives Program for research on the sustainable management of grape root borer in commercial vineyards.
The OSU South Centers facility, located in Piketon, Ohio, houses the Ohio Center for Aquaculture Research and Development (OCARD). OCARD aims to increase the productivity, innovation and profitability of Ohio and U.S. aquaculture operations, while respecting sustainability and good stewardship.
February 4, 2014