It’s been a long-term objective of CTAHR to establish an aquaculture facility on the UH Mānoa campus. That objective was realized in 2024.
With funding from the UHM Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research, CTAHR, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Andre Seale of the Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences has partnered with the UH Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) to create the new “Tuahine Aquaculture Research and Education Center.”
“Ultimately, through a versatile and integrated system design capable of providing animals with a range of environmental conditions, the main goal of the center, known as TAREC, will be to provide a platform for integrated research, Extension, and education activities that address aquaculture industry needs and funding agency priorities, while supporting workforce development,” says Andre.
CTAHR’s partner in this endeavor, Dr. Darren Lerner of Hawai‘i Sea Grant, remarks, “We have been thrilled to work with Dr. Seale over the past several years to help create a much-needed aquaculture facility (TAREC) at the university of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and look forward to our continued partnership on aquaculture research, outreach, and education activities.”
The recently completed facility, which is located within CTAHR’s Magoon Research and Education Station:
- encompasses about 8,600 square feet and contains two recirculation systems that may be used for housing aquatic organisms in either fresh water or seawater.
- has nearly 80 tanks and experimental aquaria ranging in capacity from 20-5,000 liters, and is currently housing tilapia broodstock and native Hawaiian sea cucumbers for ongoing research projects.
- is already helping Andre and his students conduct a Sea Grant-funded study on striped mullet culture for Hawaiian fishpond restocking efforts.
- is being utilized by Andre for experiential learning activities on aquaculture systems by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in our aquaculture production course (ANSC450/ OCN 450).
- Future outreach and education activities include collaborating with Sea Grant on aquaculture training workshops for the community.