Four projects that focus on aquaculture in Maryland have been approved by the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program, in which 15 collaborative technology product development projects team Maryland companies with university researchers.
The first project – which will receive a $157,880 grant – is for Hollywood Oyster Company LLC and Patrick Kangas, associate professor, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, to work together to develop methods for scaling up macroalgae (seaweed) aquaculture to be grown in conjunction with oysters, both as a commercial product and to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture Company LLC and Yang Tao, professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, are receiving $511,000 to develop a laser 3D machine vision system that sorts Chesapeake Bay-cultured oysters into quality grades.
Metompkin Seafood Inc. distributes a variety of seafood products in the Chesapeake Bay region. The company works with Donald Meritt, principal agent, Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, to develop a high-volume, spat-on-shell oyster production system based on remote setting technology. The funding for this project is $238,676.
Finally, Plant Sensory Systems LLC and Allen Place, professor, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, will receive $135,950 for their work on producing a plant-based aquafeed with low-leaching taurine, a compound required for the development and growth of farmed fish and shellfish.
Projects are subject to final contract negotiations.
