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Moss Landing >> The Salinas Valley is known as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” but when it comes to seafood farming, scientists and businesses have yet to figure out how to maximize the harvest.

A program at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories hopes to change that.

“We’re importing seafood like crazy,” said Michael Graham, professor of marine ecology at the laboratories. “Why can’t California develop an infrastructure for aquaculture too?”

As a result, scientists and industry experts have begun developing a new center for aquaculture headquartered at California State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. It brings together expertise from around the state to support research, education, policy and entrepreneurship, and to promote a sustainable aquaculture industry.

“We’re taking advantage of California becoming more interested in aquaculture,” Graham said.

Aquaculture refers to the farming and cultivation of organisms like fish, oysters and seaweed for food or biofuel. It’s the saltwater and freshwater version of agriculture.

Currently only limited and isolated pockets of aquaculture exist in a few parts of the state, akin to backyard composting or home-brewing beer, Graham noted. But combining scientific and business expertise from different places could aid larger-scale projects, encourage start-ups and fuel a growing industry.

Earlier this month, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories organized the first large-scale meeting of dozens of CSU researchers and educators as well as nongovernmental organizations, business owners and policymakers to discuss strategies and goals for the new statewide collaboration.

Participants included representatives from many CSU campuses. In addition to Moss Landing, San Diego, Chico and Humboldt have aquaculture programs. As the center gradually takes shape, more students will be able to take classes, seek training and even earn master’s degrees in aquaculture.

“The biggest boon for CSU Monterey Bay is that this provides opportunities for students to study aquaculture and work in internships with industry partners,” said Cheryl Logan, professor of science and environmental policy at the university.

Students from CSU Monterey Bay and other local institutions could also take advantage of the new aquaculture facility located near the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. “We’re always looking for new ways for students to engage in real-world problems,” Logan said.

On the business side, the aquaculture center will complement the local fishing industry rather than compete with it. Representatives from the Moss Landing-based distributer Real Good Fish and from Monterey Abalone Co., among others, participated in the recent aquaculture meeting. Abalone, for example, cannot be fished in the wild but the fish and the sea lettuce they feed on are being farmed at the new facility.

Graham leads research and development at the aquaculture center, with a focus on sustainable technologies. He grows different types of edible organic seaweed in tanks at the aquaculture facility, including Dulse seaweed, which some describe as a “superfood” with more nutritional value than kale.

Many nongovernmental environmental organizations have expressed interest in the aquaculture project as well, including Nature Conservancy and Seafood Watch, organized by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They aim to promote marine conservation and to educate students and raise public awareness about sustainable seafood issues.

Building an informative web interface will be one of the first goals of the aquaculture center. The website will provide information about obtaining permits and certifications, navigating regulations, and maximizing health quality and nutrition.

To proceed, the center’s organizers seek official approval from CSU leadership, a process that takes time. The aquaculture facility already received funding from the Packard Foundation and the Moss Landing meeting was supported by California Sea Grant.

Graham is confident that the center will prove to be a valuable resource for people. “It’s a one-stop shop for businesses and interested individuals,” he said.

Courtesy of SantaCruzSentinal.com