Maine Shellfish Developers LLC — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.119999999999999

Description

Field 7. Project Summary/AbstractProject Title: The purchase of an alternate feed in support of land-based oyster farming.PD/PI Name:Tap PryorInstitution: Maine Shellfish Developers LLCProblem/Opportunity: Closed containment farming of large numbers of certain intertidalshellfish at non-coastal sites appears to be economically feasible given suitable tankage flawlesswater quality a high level of automation and - crucially - an inexpensive bulk source ofmicroalgae as a key feed component. It is noteworthy that the biofuel and omega-3 foodindustries culture microalgae in bulk both in ponds and with fermenter-bioreactors - commonindustrial methods not yet co-opted by aquaculturists. It is serendipitous that this should be thecase at a time when near-shore oyster farming is struggling to survive let alone expand burdenedby regulatory and environmental constraints. It presents an opportunity for a breakaway to land- based farming of oysters although not without fresh technical challenges. The newcomer willrequire a complex supply chain demanding attention to transport storage and delivery todensely loaded stock on a reliable schedule.Project Objectives: We call it a "farm" although really it is a "feedlot" a type of animal feedingoperation used for intensive animal grow-out. Feedlots are faulted for behavioral reasons butoysters are literally brainless in effect compact eating machines. Accepting the feedlot analogychallenges the land-based shellfish industry to reach its full potential eventually harvesting in thebillions like greenhouse tomatoes. The overarching objective is to determine if it's possible totransport and store industrial-cultured algae without significant degradation of nutritional valuesdevelop feeding protocols to optimize nutritional uptake and confirm the cost effectiveness ofusing an outside source of feed production vs. growing on site.Description of the Effort:Maine Shellfish Developers (MSD) will be transporting algae from asingle supplier long enough to identify types of equipment needed and any biological constrains.Not all modes of algae that are offered can be trialed but even one - pressed algal residuals -will allow ample data collection from two-tank experimental comparisons of growth and survivalof different densities. Intermediate to these investigations will be obtaining nutritional profilesenergy demands and the manpower versus automation cost factors. Conclusions from these datawill inform the Phase II objectives as well as MSD's overall business plan.Anticipated Results: By the end of Phase I we will have demonstrated feasible sourcing anddelivering of a low cost and effective feed for land-based shellfish culture. We proposeemulating the cattle feedlot model i.e. purchasing not developing our own feed. By doing so wewill expand faster sooner and with lower costs per unit thanks to economies of scale and moreto the point focusing on that which we know best - growing shellfish.Potential Commercial Applications: MSD has identified several potential bulk algae sourcesconfirmed that at least pressed algal residual is inexpensively available and needs now to testseveral for cost effectiveness.It seems therefore that intertidal shellfish are on the path togenuine domestication. Capable of remaining out of water in good health at room temperaturethey are already semi-terrestrial and can be routinely washed sorted weighed counted and evenlaser branded. This is more agribusiness than aquaculture. It portends a mini revolution inseafood security. Some of our favorite and most health-giving foodstuff becomes available to allin effect everyman's cheap luxury. The land-based concept portends offering excellent oysters athalf the cost. Moreover they will be sustainable traceable and harvested weekly year around.