StriperHub is one of the National Sea Grant Aquaculture Hubs coordinated by North Carolina Sea Grant. The StriperHub integrates diverse Sea Grant programs (IL/IN, OH, MD, NC, NY, NH), industry partners, government researchers (NOAA and USDA), policymakers, cooperative extension agents, and academic scientists to consolidate and streamline striped bass (Morone saxatilis) aquaculture efforts in the US through demonstration of commercial culture, economics, and marketing. By value, >80% of seafood products consumed in the US are imported, totaling over $17 billion in the annual US trade deficit. The Sea Grant StriperHub centered in North Carolina will help to address this deficit by developing striped bass as a candidate aquaculture species and expanding hybrid striped bass (M. saxatilis x M. chrysops) aquaculture to strengthen the domestic seafood industry and boost the economies of coastal and rural communities. This collaboration will define striped bass markets and economics of production, develop education and training programs, clarify regulatory permitting and licensing procedures, and promote comprehensive outreach and visibility among likely producers and consumers of this new seafood product, which is now available in markets along the Eastern US Coast. For continued development of the Sea Grant StriperHub, we anticipate acquiring additional partners (academic, government, and private sector) as the success of striped bass aquaculture continues to expand from the East Coast to nationwide. Specific StriperHub program goals include:
1. Continue development of the Sea Grant Aquaculture Hub: A nexus to commercialize striped bass as a major aquaculture industry (The Sea Grant StriperHub);
2. Improve seed stock production, distribution, growout, and better define parameters for production economics of domestic striped bass aquaculture;
3. Continue marketing strategies, market economics, permitting clarity, and business models for domestic striped bass aquaculture; and
4. Expand communication, outreach, extension, and training to support domestic striped bass aquaculture development
Specifically, the StriperHub will continue its efforts in broodstock and seedstock production and distribution to cooperating farmers and collaborators to ensure consistent commercial striped bass production. Additionally, members are performing an evaluation of reduced frequency feeding strategies to limit feed input costs at commercial density; are synchronizing batch spawning to improve seedstock production; and expanding the number of commercial domestic striped bass producers. The StriperHub will produce a revised culture manual for striped bass.