B. Personnel: C. Yarish (Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Univ. Connecticut, Stamford, CT), C.D. Neefus (Dept. of Plant Biology, Univ. New Hampshire, Durham, NH), G.P. Kraemer (Dept. of Environmental Sciences, State University of New York, Purchase, NY), T. Chopin (Dept. of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada), G. Nardi (GreatBay Aquaculture, LLC, Portsmouth, NH), and J. Curtis (Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School, Bridgeport, CT)

C. Time Interval: October 1, 2001 - August 31, 2002

D. Results To-Date: The general goal is to create new environmentally and economically sustainable business opportunities in urban areas based on renewable living resources. This regional, multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary cooperative study will ultimately provide scientific, technical and business information, as well as training that will enable the development of a small-scale (800 to 1000m2) integrated finfish/seaweed recirculating aquaculture system suitable for use in urban areas.

Objective 1: Develop and demonstrate the performance of a continuously operating, integrated recirculating aquaculture system, from which finfish and marine plant biomass is harvested.

Results: The integrated finfish/seaweed recirculating aquaculture system is being designed around the land-based marine fish farm at GreatBay Aquaculture (GBA) in Portsmouth, NH that produces principally summer flounder, but also fingerling black sea bass, winter flounder and cod. A 5 m x 13 m greenhouse is under construction adjacent to the grow-out facility. Tank and circulation design have been evaluated and custom tanks have been ordered for delivery in late September, 2002. Greenhouse and supporting equipment construction will be completed by the same time and experiments will begin in October.

Mid-scale (38-L) mesocosm at the UNH Research Greenhouses have investigated the effects of irradiance (10%, 20% and 60% of full sunlight) and ammonium concentration (25 and 250 M NH4) on growth rate, nutrient uptake, and phycobilin pigment production were investigated for several native Porphyra species including: P. umbilicalis, P. amplissima, P. linearis, and P. leucosticta. In general results have been similar for all species examined:

Growth Rate

1. At the lowest light levels (10% sunlight) growth is light-limited (i.e., increased NH4 availability does not increase growth rate).
2. At the highest light level (60% sunlight) growth is nutrient-limited (i.e., increased NH4 availability results in higher growth rate).

Nutrient Uptake

1. Ammonium uptake increases with the amount of NH4 in the medium regardless of light level.
2. Highest ammonium uptake occurs at highest light and highest NH4 levels.

Pigment Production

1. Highest phycoerythrin (PE) and phycocyanin (PC) content is found in Porphyra grown at low light and high NH4 levels.
2. Highest net PE and PC production occurs at high light and high NH4 levels.

Maximum growth rates vary from species to species with a maximum rate reaching 50% per day in Porphyra amplissima under high light (60% sunlight) and high nutrient conditions (250 M NH4) for up to 7 days. Nutrient uptake rates in P. umbilicalis can exceed 340 mol N·g-1 fresh weight·day-1. PE and PC content of P. umbilicalis exceeded 4.6 and 1.8 mg·g fresh weight-1 ·day-1 under low light, high NH4 conditions. Net pigment production in the same species can average 5.7 mg ·g fresh fw-1 ·week-1 under high light, high NH4 conditions. In other words, starting with one gram (fresh weight) of P. umbilicalis, growth and change in pigment content resulted in the production of 5.7 mg PE by the end of one week.

Growth rates of Porphyra spp. in small scale culture are generally maximum and similar at 150 and 300 µM N, a favorable result given effluent concentrations of 150 µM at GBA. High ammonium concentrations (150, 300 µM) appear to induce reproduction in some species of Porphyra (e.g., P. leucosticta), making them possibly untenable for integrated aquaculture involving high N effluent.

In other mid-scale mesocosm experiments by T. Chopin at UNB using P. umbilicalis have generally supported the findings of the laboratory (1-L) experiments; growth rates were similar at 75 and 150 µM N. Light levels (< 100 µE m-2 s-1) limited production to approximately 4% d-1.

At our UConn-Avery Point Campus, we also conducted three mid-scale mesocosm (50-L) experiments using P. leucosticta investigating the effects of temperature and nutrient availability on growth and physiology. In one experiment, not surprisingly, P. leucosticta cultured in 250 µM grew 40% faster than when cultured in 25 µM NH4. This species grew best at 10°C, and only 88% as fast at 15°C and 79% as fast at 20°C. In addition, temperature had an effect on the sequestration of N in tissue: N concentration was 6% higher at 10°C than at 15°C and 8% higher than at 20°C. The influence of temperature and N availability on tissue N concentration was driven to some extent by changes in pigment (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin) concentrations.

Objective 2: Demonstrate that acceptable water quality can be maintained in such a system and that effluent nutrient levels are well below guidelines being developed by the EPA.

Results: A full-scale system is under construction (see above). However, we are completing the last of a series of 28-day experiments examining the ability of local species of Porphyra to assimilate inorganic N from the environment and, hence, bioremediate the fish-farm effluent. The local Porphyra species grow up to 24% d-1 and in 3-day batch cultures remove greater than 97% of the NH4+ at concentrations up to 150 µM (i.e., growth medium N concentrations are reduced to = 4 µM dissolved inorganic N; Fig. 1). This reduction demonstrates that Porphyra is an excellent bioremediator. There are two reasons that we expect our full-scale experiments will validate the smaller-scale results and show even better performance: (i) the stocking density we employed in our small-scale experiments was 0.4 g FW L-1, only about 10% of the expected commercial application densities; and (ii) based on short-term N uptake measurements performed for another project, we believe that most of the N uptake is occurring during the early stages (first several hours of the 3-day batch culture), even given the low stocking densities.

Figure 1.

Four local species of Porphyra have been evaluated in 28-day experiments. The Asian species P. katadai and P. yezoensis are also being evaluated. The latter species is, in essence, the industry benchmark against which any local species must be compared. Porphyra amplissima is, thus far, the clear choice based on growth rate and tissue N assimilation (Table 1). This is visible in the average and maximal growth rates, but also in the performance over the course of the experiment (Fig. 2). P. amplissima (and P. umbilicalis) maintained relatively constant growth rates while the other species typically became reproductive during the first two weeks of the experiment, after which growth rates rebounded.

Table 1. Summary growth rates for local and Asian Porphyra species in 28-day experiments. All grown at 150 µM NH4+ (but see asterisk below), 150 µmole photons m-2 s-1, 15°C. Maximum = growth rate for single culture at some point during experiment.

Growth Rate (% d-1)
Species (source) Maximum Experiment Average
amplissima (ME) 21 18
umbilicalis (ME) 18 13
leucosticta (CT)* 17 5
purpurea (NY) 14 6
katadai (China) 10 6
*data for 150 µM nitrate since ammonium cultured tissue became reproductive and disintegrated

Figure 2.

Porphyra also appears to be able to handle much higher concentrations of ammonium. One supplementary experiment employing P. umbilicalis demonstrated high growth rates (15% d-1) even at 1430 µM NH4+. In this experiment, P. umbilicalis removed more than 89% of N at 125 (=115 µmol Ng-1FW) and 375 µM (=340 µmol Ng-1FW), and 64% and 34% at 650 (=420 µmol Ng-1FW), 1430 µM (=540 µmol Ng-1FW), respectively, over 3.5 d periods. None of the species demonstrated ammonium toxicity (reduced growth and, in severe cases, death) at high concentrations. This is significant, since ammonium is the predominant and highly concentrated N source in fishfarm effluent. These results also argue that Porphyra may be integrated into other animal (e.g., traditional farm) systems.

P. umbilicalis, grown in 38-L mesocosms at the University of New Hampshire, took up N at greater rates at 250 µM N than at 25 µM. N uptake was also influenced by irradiance (uptake at 900 µE m-2 s-1 > 450 = 270). Phycoerythrin contents were 58% higher under 250 µM ammonium (vs. 25 µM) and 55% lower at 900 µE m-2 s-1 (vs. 270 µE m-2 s-1).

Objective 3: Compare four candidate native species of Porphyra to act as biofilters and as crops

Results: This portion of the project is substantially completed in small scale experiments, but remains to be scaled up to the large emplacements required for industrial application. We have been in consultation with GBA regarding the design and development of the demonstration scale facilities. The greenhouse for GBA (ordered by UNH) and the 4000 L (4 m3 ) culture tanks have been ordered for both our GBA and UConn Avery Point facilities. Large-tank mesocosms require more work to set up, and a significantly longer period (5-6 weeks) to grow the nori up to provide the biomass for the required experimental densities at GBA and at our UConn Avery Point greenhouse facilities. Experiments at GBA will be carried out using a system of eight 4000 L (4 m3) tanks located in a 3.65m x 11m (12 ft x 36 ft) tubular-frame greenhouse of the type used by commercial plant growers.

One of the value-added products derived from Porphyra culture is taurine. This amino acid has been identified as a blood pressure reducer and is given in Japan as part of the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Consequently, Porphyra crops that are rich in taurine have more intrinsic value. S. Hariskov (senior undergraduate research project) has developed the protocol for the extraction and HPLC quantification of taurine in Porphyra blade tissue. Preliminary results suggest a temperature effect on taurine concentration (increased levels at lower temperatures in P. leucosticta). Interspecific differences among local Porphyra species also appear to exist (umbilicalis, linearis > leucosticta, amplissima). Additionally, P. leucosticta also appears to contain more taurine on a dry weight basis than does either P. katadai or P. yezoensis. The latter species is cultured commercially in Asia.

Reproduction of Porphyra is an important process over which we would like control, both from the standpoint of generating leafy gametophyte biomass on demand and preventing reproductive induction during culture (see Results of Objective 2). In addition, the traditional "seeding" technology of growing the conchocelis in shells to eventually produce conchospores is very long (up to 120 days) and labor intensive. In an effort to bypass the shell stage, we (with the assistance of Dr. P. He, Shanghai Fisheries University) are in the process of developing new protocols for the synchronized development of the conchocelis to eventually mass produce conchospores. Briefly, conchocelis is mass cultured in aerated 14 L to 20 L Pyrex bottles. We have been able to control the development of three species of Porphyra (P. leucosticta, P. purpurea and P. amplissima) of the conchocelis phase. With the correct combination of temperature, photoperiod, and light, we can increase biomass while postponing the induction of conchospore production. For P. leucosticta, in particular, we have synchronized the mass release of conchospores from conchosporangia (see Figs. 3- 4).

Figure 3: Conchocelis development of Porphyra leucosticta. (A) Conchocelis and some terminal cells of conchocelis branches become enlarged. They will develop into conchosporangia. (B) Conchosporangial branches beginning to form. Almost 100% of the conchocelis filaments become conchosporangia after culturing at 20 ?, 20-40 mol E m-2 s-1, 8L:16D for 4 weeks. (C) Mature conchosporangia stage. There were two protoplasts in some cells. (D) Conchospores just prior to release from mature conchosporangia. The protoplasts in cells become rounded and the conchospores will soon be released.

Figure 4: (A) Mass release of conchospores after increasing light intensity from 60 to 100 mol E m-2 s-1, 12L: 12D, 15 ? for 1-2 weeks. (B) Conchospore germlings (2 day old) that have attached to Nylon mesh. (C) Conchospore germlings that have attached to nori net fibers after a seeding operation in a tank at the greenhouse of Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School (BRVAS). (D) The blades grew up to 1.2 cm in length after being cultured on nori nets at BRVAS' tank at 12-15?, 40-80 mol E m-2 s-1, 12L: 12D, from Nov 2nd, 2001 to Jan 7th, 2002.

Other experiments, in cooperation Drs. X. Tang (Ocean University of Qingdao, China) and D.B. Sahoo (University of Delhi, Delhi, India) to elucidate the environmental conditions that elicit spore release for the production of seed stock are in progress. We have been able to complete the life cycle of one strain of Porphyra leucosticta in 29 days. Rather dramatic differences exist among strains of P. leucosticta as completion of the life cycle in the laboratory can take up to 120 days. For one of these strains, we have also been able to get direct development of blades from the vegetative tissue, thereby entirely bypassing the sexual life cycle. Similar studies are now underway for other local species of Porphyra (e.g. P. amplissima).

Objective 4: Examine nutrient dose-response relationships in each candidate Porphyra species to determine the maximum finfish biomass that can be maintained for a given marine plant biomass (and biofilter area).

Results: This section remains to be completed. We expect to conduct these experiments using mid- (50 L) and large-scale (4000 L) tank systems at Avery Point (CT), University of New Hampshire, and GreatBay Aquaculture, LLC (Portsmouth, NH).

Objective 5: Provide education in the technical and scientific aspects of aquaculture at both high school and university levels.

Results: At the university level, two M.S.-level graduate students (UConn, UNH) have been conducting some of the initial physiological and growth experiments that are required for scale up. Additionally, six undergraduate students (three at University of Connecticut, two from SUNY Purchase College, one from UNH) have been integrated into the project. Their individual involvement varies from support work (e.g., preparing growth media, changing cultures) to truly active participants (S. Hariskov has completed a series of amino acid profiles of each of the Porphyra species and is preparing a manuscript for submission to Phycological Research).

During the initial year of the project, there has been active involvement of students and staff at the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School under the supervision of Dr. C. Yarish (UConn) and Mr. J. Curtis (BRVAS). We have also had the assistance of Dr. P. He, Shanghai Fisheries University during the initial year of the project. We have included a photographic summary (see section G. Pictorial, Figs. 5-17) of the Porphyra mass culture operations at BRVAS.

Objective 6: Provide a business model for start-up and operation of an urban aquaculture business based on an Integrated Finfish/Seaweed Recirculating Aquaculture System.

Results: This section of the project remains to be completed in cooperation with GreatBay Aquaculture, LLC and University of New Hampshire and University of Connecticut economists.

E. Budget: No significant purchases.

F. Technology Transfer: Dr. Yarish and other members of the research team were interviewed by M. Watanabe for a lead story in "The Scientist" 15 (21):1, Oct. 29, 2001. The URL was www.The-Scientist.com/yr2001/oct/watanabe_p1_011029.html. Dr. C. Yarish was recently interviewed by Stett Holbrook, New York Times, for a story that he was doing on the health benefits of seaweeds (July, 2002).

The following publications and presentations were, in part, derived from the project.

I. Book Chapters

a. Chopin, T., Yarish, C., and Sharp, G., 2002 - Beyond the monospecific approach to
animal aquaculture ... the light of integrated aquaculture. In: Ecological and genetic implications of aquaculture activities. T. Bert (Ed.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (in press).

b. McVey, J.P., Stickney, R.R., Yarish, C., and Chopin, T., 2002 - Aquatic polyculture
and balanced ecosystem management: new paradigms for seafood production: 91-104. In: Responsible Aquaculture. Stickney R.R. and McVey J.P. (Eds.). CABI Publishing, Oxon, 391 p.

c. Rawson Jr., M.V., Chen, C., Ji, R., Zhu, M., Wang, D., Wang, L., Yarish, C., Sullivan, J.B., Chopin, T., and Carmona, R., 2002 - Understanding the interaction of extractive and fed aquaculture using ecosystem modelling: 263-296. In: Responsible Aquaculture. Stickney R.R. and McVey J.P. (Eds.). CABI Publishing, Oxon, 391 p.

II. Full-length articles in refereed journals

a. Chopin, T., Buschmann, A.H., Halling, C., Troell, M., Kautsky, N., Neori, A., Kraemer, G.P., Zertuche-Gonzalez, J.A., Yarish, C., and Neefus, C., 2001 - Integrating seaweeds into marine aquaculture systems: a key towards sustainability. J. Phycol. 37: 975-986.

b. Broom, J.E., W.A. Nelson, C. Yarish, W.A. Jones, R. Aguilar Rosas, L.E. Aguilar Rosas. A reassessment of the taxonomic status of Porphyra suborbiculata, Porphyra carolinensis and Porphyra lilliputiana (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) based on molecular and morphological data. European J. Phycology. 14 pp. In press, 2002

c. Troell, M., Halling, C., Neori, A., Buschmann, A.H., Chopin, T., Yarish, C., and Kautsky, N., 2002 - Seaweeds in integrated mariculture: asking the right questions. Aquaculture (accepted).

III. Papers in refereed conference proceedings

a. Chopin, T., Yarish, C., Neefus, C., Kraemer, G., Zertuche-Gonzalez, J., Belyea, E., and Carmona, R., 2001 - Aquaculture from a different angle: the seaweed perspective, and the rationale for promoting integrated aquaculture. In: Marine Aquaculture and the Environment: a Meeting for Stakeholders in the Northeast. Proceedings of the Workshop, Boston, USA: 69-72. Tlusty, M.F., Bengston, D.A., Halvorson, H.O., Oktay, S.D., Pearce, J.B. and Rheault Jr., R.B. (Eds.). Cape Cod Press, Falmouth, XVI + 324 p.

b. Chopin, T., Yarish, C., Sharp, G., Neefus, C., Kraemer, G., Zertuche-Gonzalez, J., Belyea, E., Carmona, R., Saunders, G., and Bates, C., 2001 - Development of integrated aquaculture systems for responsible coastal zone management. In: Aquaculture and its Role in Integrated Coastal Zone Management. Proceedings of the European Aquaculture Society International Workshop, Oostende, Belgium: 77-80. European Aquaculture Society, vi + 145 p.

c. Rawson Jr., M.V., Chen, C., Ji, R., Zhu, M., Wang, D., Wang, L., Yarish, C., Sullivan, J.B., Chopin, T., and Carmona, R., 2001 - Integration of fed and extractive aquaculture. In: Proc. International Symposium on Marine Fishery and Aquatic Products Processing Technology, Rongcheng, China, September 11-13, 2001: 263-278. UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Proceedings of the Workshop, 690 p.

d. Carmona, R., Chanes, L., Kraemer, G., Chopin, T., Neefus, C., Zertuche, J.A., Cooper, R., and Yarish, C., 2002 - Nitrogen uptake by Porphyra purpurea: its role as a nutrient scrubber. In: Proceedings of the Fifth Biennial Long Island Sound Research Conference, Stamford, USA: 87-91. Van Patten P. (Ed.). Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, Groton, USA, 152 p.

e. Kraemer, G.P., Carmona, R., Chopin, T., and Yarish, C., 2002 - Use of photosynthesis measurements in the choice of algal species for bioremediation. In: Proceedings of the Fifth Biennial Long Island Sound Research Conference, Stamford, USA: 113-117. Van Patten P. (Ed.). Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, Groton, USA, 152 p.

IV. Published conference proceedings

Chopin, T., C. Yarish, C. Neefus, G. Kraemer, J. Zertuche-Gonzalez, E. Belyea & R. Carmona. 2001. The role of seaweeds in integrated aquaculture and their contribution to nutrient bioremediation of coastal waters. In: Chopin, T. and P.G. Wells (Eds.). 2001. Opportunities and Challenges for Protecting, Restoring and Enhancing Coastal Habitats in the Bay of Fundy. Proc. 4th Intl. Conference on Coastal Zone Canada. Sept.17-22, 2000. Environment Canada, Atlantic Region Occasional Report No. 17, Environment Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, pp. 41.

V. Conference presentations

a. The 22nd Milford Aquaculture Seminar, Milford, CT (Feb. 25-27, 2002) as published in a Book of Abstracts. P. 48.

J.J. Curtis, S.W. Lonergan, P.J. Trupp, P. He, R. Carmona, C. Yarish, G.P. Kraemer, C. Neefus, T. Chopin, G. Nardi.A COOPERATIVE STUDY ON THE AQUACULTURE OF PORPHYRA LEUCOSTICTA (RHODOPHYTA) FOR AN INTEGRATED FINFISH/SEAWEED RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM IN AN URBAN APPLICATION.

b. The 41th Annual Northeast Algal Symposium, Durham, NH (April 20-21, 2002) as published in a Book of Abstracts.

1. Yarish, C., P. He, R. Carmona, S. Liu, G.P. Kraemer, C.D. Neefus, T. Chopin, G. Nardi, J. J. Curtis, S.W. Lonergan and P. J. Trupp. THE AQUACULTURE OF PORPHYRA LEUCOSTICTA (RHODOPHYTA) FOR AN INTEGRATED FINFISH/SEAWEED RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM IN AN URBAN APPLICATION.

2. Blodgett, M., B. Teasdale, A.S. Klein, C. Yarish, and C.D. Neefus. A NORTHERN RANGE EXTENSION OF P. ROSENGURTIII BASED ON MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION.

c. The Annual Meetings of the Botanical Society of America and the Phycological Society of America (Botany 2002).

Yarish, C., P. HE, R. CARMONA, S. LIU, G. KRAEMER, C. NEEFUS, T. CHOPIN, G. NARDI, J. CURTIS, S. LONERGAN AND P. TRUPP. The Aquaculture of Porphyra leucosticta (Rhodophyta) for An Finfish/Seaweed Recirculating Aquaculture System in An Urban Application. Book of Abstracts: 83 (Abstract No. 326), 186 p.

c. The 3rd Asia-Pacific Phycological Forum, Tsukuba, Japan (Algae 2002).

1. Kraemer, G.P., C. Yarish and R. Carmona . COMPARISON OF THE BIOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF PORPHYRA SPP.

2. Yarish, C., M.V. Rawson, Jr. , T. Chopin, D.R. Wang, C. Chen, R. Carmona, L. Wang., R. Ji and J. Sullivan. Ecosystem modeling: A tool to understand the interactions between extractive and fed aquaculture.

VI. Invited scholarly colloquia, presentations or symposia

a. C. Yarish presented an invited presentation to Southampton College, Long Island University, Southampton, NY, Feb. 28, 2002, entitled "Ecosystem Modeling: a tool to Understand the Interactions between Extractive and Fed Aquaculture."

b. C. Yarish presented an invited presentation to Inje University, South Korea, April 16, 2002, entitled "Using ecosystem modeling for seaweed aquaculture."

c. C. Yarish presented an invited presentation and teleconference to Marine Biology Department, University of Los Lagos and other Chilean Universities, Sept. 7, 2001, entitled "ADVANCES IN SEAWEED AQUACULTURE."

d. C. Yarish was an invited participant to the first Joint Coordination Panel on Living Marine Resources between South Korean-US, April 11, 2002. He gave a paper entitled: "AN OVERVIEW OF A REGIONAL SEA GRANT AND NOAA AQUACULUTURE INITIATIVE: THE REDISCOVERY OF FISH/SEAWEED INTEGRATED SYSTEMS IN NORTH AMERICA." C. Yarish, G. Kraemer, C. Neefus, T. Chopin, S. Miller, Nardi, J.J. Curtis.

e. C. Yarish was an invited participant at the 1st Joint Coordination Panel on Living Marine Resources between South Korean-US, April 11, 2002, where he was a co-author on a paper entitled "Integrating Aquaculture using Ecosystem Models." M. V. Rawson, C. Chen, M.Y. Zhu, L. Wang, D.R. Wang, C. Yarish, J. Sullivan, T. Chopin and R. Carmona.

f. C. Yarish presented an invited presentation to The NOAA Central Library Seminar Series, Silver Spring, MD, August 2, 2001, entitled "The Importance of Seaweed Aquaculture."

g. C. Yarish presented an invited presentation to the West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, NFRDI, Department of Maritime Affairs, South Korea, September 22, 2001. NFRDI is the parallel organization to NOAA/DOC, in South Korea. His presentation was entitled: 'The role of marine algae in reducing aquaculture effluents."

h. C. Yarish was an invited participant at the 5 th US-PR China Living Marine Resource Panel Meetings, April 19-22, 2002, Sanya, Hainan Island, PR China, and presented a series of presentations including a review of his cooperative seaweed research program (2000-2001) with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Fisheries University and Ocean University of Qingdao. The formal presentations to the Panel include: "Development of an integrated recirculating aquaculture system for nutrient bioremediation in urban aquaculture" (C. Yarish, P. He, J. Curtis); "Integrated Finfish/Seaweed Recirculating Systems"(C. Yarish, G. Kraemer, C.D. Neefus, T. Chopin and G. Nardi); "Establishment of a harmful algal bloom monitoring and integrative remedy system in China" (C.S. Lin, C. Yarish and P. He); and "Development of a cooperative research program on Porphyra between US and China" (C. Yarish and X. Tang).

i. J. Curtis presented a project description and update of this research program to the City of Bridgeport Board of Education meeting in June, 2002.

G. Pictorial:

Summary of Porphyra mass culture operations at Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School (Figs. 5-17).

Fig. 5. Dr. He, Visiting Scientist from Shanghai Fisheries University, transferring concentrated Porphyra (=nori) conchospore solution into the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School's culture tanks.

Fig. 6. In the initial seeding of the Porphyra (=nori) nets at the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School, students rotate the seeding wheel in the greenhouse.

Fig. 7. Porphyra (=nori) nets on seeding wheel being seeded by suspensions of conchospores. The conchospores are being released by conchocelis filaments floating in the PVC holders.

Fig. 8. Porphyra (=nori) nets mounted on seeding wheel in seawater containing conchospores.

Fig. 9. Prototype Porphyra (=nori) grow-out tank at Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School.

Fig. 10. Dr. Sheryl Miller (UConn) using a conchospore suspension of Porphyra to seed nori nets on PVC frames at BRVAS.

Fig. 11. Secondary Porphyra (=nori) grow-out tanks in the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School's laboratory utilizing a layered configuation.

Fig. 12. Porphyra (=nori) nets stretched onto PVC frames are placed in the grow-out tank in the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School's Laboratory.

Fig. 13. Small Porphyra germlings, approximately 4 weeks old, growing on the nori seed nets.

Fig. 14. An Intensive Program student of BRVAS, under the supervision of Ms. J. Min (Visiting Scientist from the Shanghai Fisheries University) investigates the initial development of the Porphyra under the microscope.

Fig. 15. Four week old Porphyra germlings on nori nets.

Fig. 16. Porphyra (=nori) seed nets being prepared for freezing. Note reddish hue of nets indicating total coverage of the nets by the Porphyra germlings.

Fig. 17. Dr. He, Visiting Scientist at the University of Connecticut and Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School and Professor at the Shanghai Fisheries University, studies a carpet of sm

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