Aquaculture Research Institute Makes Leap Forward with new Moscow Facility

The U of I campus was honored to host the ribbon cutting for the newest addition to the Aquaculture Research Institute’s (ARI) fish research capacity, the Aquatic Animal Research Facility. The new building contains fish-rearing systems that can be used to study both freshwater and marine species, addressing challenges facing Idaho’s aquaculture industry, state agencies and tribal fisheries enhancement activities. It will also provide undergraduate and graduate students with new opportunities to conduct research and develop fish-rearing skills through experiential learning.

With the ever-growing worldwide demand for seafood, aquaculture will play a critical role in providing safe and healthful products for consumers. The facility will utilize recirculating aquaculture systems, presenting the prospect of producing both freshwater fish species without straining water resources, and even producing marine species in land-based farming systems. Research activities will include projects in genetics, nutrition, selective breeding, physiology and health involving many species of marine and freshwater fish.