The
Hagerman Station is a field laboratory of the College of Agriculture,
University of Idaho, and is a part of the Aquaculture Research Institute. UI
scientists from various disciplines conduct research at the Station in both
commercial and conservation aquaculture sciences and technologies. Research
is conducted within two centers at the Station:
The Center for Sustainable
Aquaculture
The center for sustainable aquaculture at the Station conducts
research aimed at the improving the efficiency of aquaculture and at
reducing the impacts of aquaculture on the aquatic environment. Nutrition
and feeds research involves the continued development of
'environmentally-friendly' feeds, plus development of alternate feed
ingredients. The Hagerman station is uniquely positioned to work directly
with industry on the development of feed ingredients specifically designed
for use in fish feeds, and to arrange field trials with cooperating fish
farms in the area. Rainbow trout are the focus of the Center, but research
is also conducted on other fish species of interest in aquaculture. Fish
disease, pathology, and immunology research is conducted at the station, in
collaboration with industry and academic partners. Other activities include
studies to increase the effectiveness of enhancement and conservation
hatcheries by improving feeds and feeding practices.
The Center for Salmonid and Freshwater Species at Risk
The center for salmonid and freshwater species at
risk at the Station, with a satellite lab on the Moscow campus, assists
conservation biologists with the development of recovery measures for
threatened and endangered fish species. Center scientists use diverse
molecular technologies such as cloning, automated sequencing, automated
fragment analysis, mitochondrial RFLP analysis, and DNA fingerprinting to
develop information concerning the genetic structure of populations, the
conservation of genetic diversity, and phylogeography, as well as individual
genetic identity, parentage, and kinship. The capabilities of the Center are
also being used in research conducted with the Agriculture Research Service,
USDA, to improve the performance of domestic strains of rainbow trout used
in aquaculture.
Within the two Centers, researchers apply their expertise in traditional
academic disciplines to aquaculture and conservation fisheries problems.
Currently, the Station is active in the following research areas:
Fish Nutrition and Feeds
Fish
Genetics and Breeding
Fish Culture and Production Efficiency
Fish Health and Pathology
Fish Waste Management and Water Quality Assurance
The Station supports
undergraduate and graduate-level research by students from the University of
Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, and other regional
universities, including the University of Washington, Washington State
University, and the University of California, Davis. Collaborative research
projects are conducted with federal agencies, including the US Department of
Agriculture, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries
Service, and with state agencies, Tribal agencies, and companies involved in
all aspects of the aquaculture industry.
