Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is a 501-(c)(3) nonprofit research organization that was established in 1963 to “Return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it”. Marine aquaculture has been a core area of research at HSWRI since the late ‘70s and it is currently facilitated by a Marine Research Laboratory in San Diego that has a flow-through seawater capacity of 80 m3 per hour (350 gpm) and a Fish Hatchery in Carlsbad that has a seawater capacity of 273 m3 per hour (1200 gpm). Within each facility are specialized systems (flow through and reuse) from experimental to commercial scale.
White seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) and California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) are being cultured at HSWRI for stock enhancement research with potential for future commercialization if a finfish industry develops. California yellowtail (Seriola dorsalis) is cultured for research as a promising food fish species in the USA. Larval survival for each of these species is high, so research is mainly focused on maximizing fingerling quality and production efficiencies. In recent years, HSWRI has diversified its portfolio of aquaculture species to include seaweeds and invertebrates to support growing interest in low trophic level aquaculture, including integration with fed species. Current research is focused on Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria spp., and Devaleraea mollis as nutrient scrubbers in the effluent of tanks of fed fish (i.e. integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, IMTA), both in flow through and reuse configurations, as well as using the seaweeds as food for fattening starved sea urchins collected off barrens. Invertebrate research has focused on using wild-caught warty sea cucumbers (Apostichopus parvimensis) as a detritivore in IMTA applications and as broodstock for propagation and future commercialization. Additionally, HSWRI has successfully spawned Pacific Calico Scallops (Argopecten ventricosus) as a potential new shellfish species for California.