CENTER FOR TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL AQUACULTURE (CTSA)
www.ctsa.org

A strong United States aquaculture industry offers significant economic and social benefits to both the nation and the world. Domestic aquaculture can meet the increased demand for fisheries products, conserve ocean resources and lessen US dependence on imported ocean products. A partnership between federal government agencies, state and local public institutions and the private sector can achieve enhanced aquaculture development. To achieve that end, Congress, in Title XIV of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1980 saw the opportunity to make significant progress in the development of aquaculture and authorized the establishment of aquaculture research, development and demonstration centers in the United States (Subtitle L, Sec. 1475 [d]).

The Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA), one of five regional aquaculture centers, was created to spark the development of commercial aquaculture of tropical and subtropical species. Unlike the other centers, which work within a defined geographical region, the CTSA "region" currently encompasses tropical and subtropical species wherever they are cultured within the United States and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Republic of Belau [Palau] and the Republic of the Marshall Islands). Research projects span the American Insular Pacific, focusing on developing an aquaculture industry using commercially viable tropical and subtropical species.

The CTSA is co-administered by the University of Hawaii (UH) and The Oceanic Institute OI). Strong industry support and collaboration is provided through a formal Industry Advisory Council (IAC) composed of commercial aquaculture farmers, aquaculture suppliers, and members of government bodies and financial institutions.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (USDA/CSREES) provides CTSA's operating grant. That grant is budgeted to cover the individual research projects, as well as all administrative, project development, publication and technology transfer costs.

The CTSA funds new project opportunities that arise during the execution of a given year's program or to provide additional moneys to an ongoing project. For the past 14 years, CTSA has funded 131 projects addressing national aquaculture priorities, information dissemination, extension support to further industry development, marketing and economics, development of new technologies and demonstration and adaptation of known technologies.

Results from CTSA activities have had positive impacts on aquaculture development in the region. Existing aquaculture farms have benefited from disease diagnosis service, extension service and access to new information. New aquaculture operations were created from various technologies developed under CTSA projects. Examples of recent success include developing a freshwater ornamental industry, moi farming, and sponge and giant clam culturing. These industries, which represent over a million dollars in annual revenues, are a direct outgrowth of past CTSA projects. These new aquaculture industries have created not only new employment opportunities but also stimulated economic development in rural areas of the region.

Continued support of this most important research and technology transfer program will ensure further development of these emerging aquaculture industries and further regional economic growth. This program has been funded at a very minimal level in the past. While the program effectively uses its current amount of funding, the funding level does not address the potential for success that the program offers. The CTSA's current funding level amounts to approximately $747,000 per year.

For further information please visit CTSA's new website www.ctsa.org