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A new facility in Maine will
help researchers determine the best ways to raise marine
life in captivity.
The
US Department of Agriculture
plans to construct a research facility on 27 shorefront
acres in Franklin, Maine to study the breeding of halibut,
Atlantic salmon and cod in land-based facilities.
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The Maine research facility will study
the breeding of halibut and cod.(Photo:R.Basili) |
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John Crew, an official with the
USDA Agriculture Research Service in Philadelphia, told a
local group this project would cost the agency about USD 25
million. Research results from the new facility will be
shared with aquaculture companies.
Crew said approximately USD
13 million of the funds will be spent to build a 30,000
square foot laboratory and office building in Orono, at the
site of the
University of Maine's main
campus, and the rest in Franklin where the university has a
fish farm.
Building in both locations
will maximise potential for collaboration between the two
research organisations, Crew said. "That provides a certain
amount of critical mass."
USDA plans to have 45
employees, including 14 scientists, at the two sites. The
agency and university researchers will share ideas,
equipment and infrastructure. |
