Two California Sea Grant projects awarded with aquaculture grant

STATEWIDE — Nearly two-dozen aquaculture projects, nationwide, were awarded $11 million in grant funding, it was announced in mid-October. The funding, granted by NOAA Sea Grant, was granted “to further advance the development of a sustainable marine and coastal aquaculture industry in the U.S.” NOAA funded 22 programs in various states, including two in California. The two projects are: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise and germ cell transplantation methods for aquacultural production of migratory fishes. Ventura Shellfish Enterprise (VSE) will receive $311,036 to implement an integrative model for new shellfish production in the waters of or near Ventura Harbor. The enterprise would specifically establish 20 100-acer sites in the Santa Barbara Channel and collaborate with NOAA and the Food and Drug Administration, to ensure future landed product has a pathway for compliance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) and Seafood Sanitation Inspection Program.” VSE hopes to establish regulated bivalve shellfish production in the Santa Barbara Channel. The aquaculture initiative would specifically grow Mediterranean mussels. Company representatives stated Ventura Harbor and the surrounding area are ideal for mussel farming. The National Sea Grant College Program and the NOAA Office of Aquaculture jointly supported the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise project. California Sea Grant, meanwhile, will receive $195,579 for the...