Marine Ornamental Projects
 
This research program is based on the logic that locally-produced marine ornamental species can 1) form the basis for a viable local aquaculture industry, 2) provide an environmentally sustainable and healthier product for hobbyists, and 3) promote coral reef conservation. Of the ~1400 tropical, salt-water ornamental species typically sold in the aquarium trade, only ~35 are currently reared in captivity. The vast majority continue to be harvested from the wild – often through environmentally harmful (and illegal) collecting techniques on coral reefs in the southwest Pacific Ocean. These species have proven difficult to rear in captivity, often because of limits in our knowledge of larval nutrition and feeding. A great deal of research is needed on new culture techniques and the development of nutritionally proper larval food sources.
 
This research began with funding from the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative to Brad Bourque and Skip Pomeroy with subsequent funding from the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC), a branch of the US Department of Agriculture. Three initial target species that had been successfully reared elsewhere were chosen (seahorses, clown fish and peppermint shrimp).
 

 
Commercialization
We were able to demonstrate our ability to rear these trial species in abundance, and we initiated a market study that involved selling product produced in the wet lab wholesale to local aquarium stores. In 2006, after an analysis of production costs and market data, the university decided not to expand this project into commercial-scale production. Bourque and Pomeroy ultimately decided to establish New England Marine Ornamental, Inc. a production company that opened in 2007 in a converted mill building in Warren, RI. This company is producing and selling product, but is not affiliated with the university.
 
Many of the fish and invertebrates in the marine aquarium trade or sell for tens, even hundreds of dollars each. A good example of production and market implications is the clown fish, Amphiprion ocellaris, which typically sold for up to $40 each until successful hatchery techniques were developed about 25 years ago. The fish are now widely available and sell for under $20 (depending on size), but expanding and profitable markets exist for this and other species. During our study, we found that:
  1. The market for this species seems insatiable (probably due to the film Finding Nemo), and though clownfish are successfully reared at a number of major hatcheries - wild harvest from reefs still occur to meet demand.
  2. Local buyers are willing to pay a premium for local, hatchery-reared product and an "ecofriendly" label could be a potent marketing device.
  3. We were able to sell a 6 month old clownfish for about $8 each (wholesale) which translates to over $500 per pound. By comparison, farmed salmon take up to 18 months to reach market at just $2/lb.
 
Research
We have backed off production-oriented research and now focus on developing techniques to bring new hatchery-reared species to market. One of our early success stories is with the fire shrimp, Lysmata debelius (shown here). We adapted culture techniques for rearing of this species and are now able to successfully grow these almost on demand. To our knowledge, we are only one of a handful of laboratories worldwide to accomplish this. At present, individual fire shrimp sell in aquarium stores for about $30 (retail) and are still harvested from the wild.
 
 
 
We have also successfully reared (at least one batch) of the yellow headed jawfish - one of the stars of the wet lab - as part of a student research project. Additional research will be required in order to understand and replicate this success.
 
 
 
 
 
Additional target species include:
Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
Bangaii Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni)
Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus)
 


 
 
Center for Economic & Environmental Development, Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809
(401) 254-3563 | fax (401) 254-3310 | tscott@rwu.edu