NOAA Study Funds Soft-Shell Crab Research

BY DANIELLE COSTANTINI

Chuck Weirich, North Carolina Sea Grant marine aquaculture specialist, is partnering with the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Lab on a National Oceanic and Atmospheric 2018 Aquaculture Research Award. The grant program funds research to advance development of a sustainable marine and coastal aquaculture industry in the United States.

The project, submitted by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, will expand sustainable soft-shell blue crab aquaculture through technology transfer and cost analysis.

Over three years, their work will involve researchers, private industry partners, Sea Grant extension expertise and two diverse geographic regions. In North Carolina, Weirich leads a collaboration that includes David Cerino at Carteret Community College and David Eggleston from NC State University’s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, as well as Sam Thomas, Clay Travis and Steven Tyler of Thomas Seafood.

“We are all excited about this opportunity,” Weirich says. “It may allow us to establish the hatchery technology and pond production methods to raise blue crabs here in North Carolina, which could lessen the need to harvest wild populations to supply crab-shedding operations.”

Photo by Chuck Weirich

###

North Carolina Sea Grant: Your link to research and resources for a healthier coast