Principal Investigator(s): David Berlinsky, George Nardi and Chris Neefus

I. Accomplishments

A. Scheduled Tasks
The objectives of these studies were to determine the suitability of Porphyra (nori) and Codium as a fishmeal replacement in a diet for the aquaculture of Atlantic cod.

B. Progress on Tasks
To date we have cultured and dried approximately 20 kg of nori and had it analyzed by proximate analysis (NJ feed labs). Additionally, broodstock cod were manually spawned and sufficient juveniles were produced (~5-10 g) to initiate our proposed studies. Results of the proximate analysis indicated that the cultured nori had protein content in excess of 35%.

C. Important Results or Findings
Manuscripts- None
Presentations- None

II. Tasks and activities for next reporting period
A. Tasks for the next reporting period
Seaweed (nori) based diets will be produced and feeding trials will be initiated.

B. Brief work plan to accomplish tasks
Custom feed pellets will be produced by Zeigler Brothers Feed (Gardners, PA). The diets will be based on Zeigler’s 50/15 Marine Finfish Starter Diet (50% protein, 15% fat) and reformulated to replace 0, 15 and 30% of the fishmeal with dried Porphyra umbilicalis. We will conduct feeding trials, with 10 g juvenile cod, that will be run in 9- 1600L tanks at the Aquaculture Research Center (ARC). Each tank will be stocked with 500 fish that will be fed 2-3 mm pellets. Pellet size will be adjusted during the trial as fish grow. Fish will be fed 3 times daily to apparent satiation and the amount of feed consumed at each feeding will be recorded. Temperature will be maintained at 14°C. Fish growth will be monitored weekly by weighing an adequate sample (12-20) of the fish in each tank. Each trial will last for 12 weeks. Water quality will be monitored regularly. At the end of the trial, all fish will be weighed and 12 will be sacrificed for determination of hepatic somatic indexes (HPI), and proximate analyses (total protein, lipid, ash and water) of the muscle and livers. Amino acid and fatty acid profiles will be determined in the muscle tissue of 6 fish from each treatment group. The sample sizes for amino acid and fatty acid composition are relatively small because of the considerable expense involved in their analyses. In addition, absolute growth rates, feed conversion ratios, and protein conversion ratios will be calculated.

C. Anticipated concerns or difficulties
None.

III. Expenditures
All research goals will be accomplished within the designated budget.