Other CEED Research Activities
 
Freshwater Aquaculture:
Our freshwater projects are mainly used for student research, but have great potential for aquaculture industry development. Projects include freshwater ornamental aquatic plant cultivation, koi production and the development of freshwater fish (largemouth bass) culture in Rhode Island.
 
 
Cranberry Bog Conversion:
In 2005, in response to a weak market for locally grown cranberries, Dale Leavitt worked with a local producer to convert a cranberry bog to fish production. This provides an alternative crop while keeping the land in productive use and the pond can quickly revert to cranberry production when the market improves. Fish were successfully and profitably produced for several years until the cost of diesel fuel began to rise. This pond lacks direct access to utilities and electricity to run the circulation pumps comes from a diesel generator. In 2009, Dr. Leavitt received a small grant that, working cooperatively with the RWU School of Engineering, will plan an alternative energy source to run the pumps.
 
 
Solar Upweller:
Funded by a federal grant from the USDA, Dale Leavitt is coordinating the planning and construction of a solar powered FLUPSY – a floating upweller system (essentially a dock) modified for the cultivation of shellfish. This is state-of-the-art for shellfish nursery culture, but currently FLUPSY's must be at a marina so they can be hooked up to a power source. Dr. Leavitt and his team of students from Marine Biology and the School of Engineering have implemented significant improvements to the FLUPSY design so that a smaller pump utilizing less power can be used. They have also examined how to add solar panels, a battery bank and a back up system. The proof of concept for this project occurred on campus during fall, 2008 and the unit will be deployed into the field in summer, 2009.
 
 
Hydroponics:
Hydroponics is the science of growing vegetables/herbs without soil. We have combined hydroponic production with fish cultivation in a single system – the fish provide nutrients for the plants while the plants, in turn, clean up the water for the fish. Both fish and vegetables can be grown and harvested from systems such as these. Effluent environmental management is an important component of fish farming, and plants harvested with the root intact tend to have a longer shelf life.
 
 
Marine Economy:
There is a growing recognition of the diversity, importance and impact of the marine industrial sector to the general economic health of the region. Narragansett Bay is often cited as an economic engine for Rhode Island, but the economic impact is not widely recognized. One attempt to summarize this impact was during the 2-day "Bay Summit" hosted by the DEM in 2000. RWU was greatly involved in this effort, but the conference intent of continued discussion and nurturing was never realized. In April 2007, RWU and the New England Council hosted a one day conference in to further explore this topic - Marine Economy Forum
 
 
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