An incredible visit with the NJ Aquaculture Innovation Center at #RutgersNB, which provides research, education, and training programs aimed at growing the shellfish aquaculture industry in New Jersey and nationwide. Among other ongoing projects, we toured AIC’s model “living shoreline” on the Cape May Canal; it uses novel concrete structures and oysters to combat coastal erosion. I also got to meet some of the undergraduate and graduate students who are conducting research in these efforts—and got to handle baby surf clams and oysters in culture! Shellfish #aquaculture is known to provide great economic benefits—and it is also one of the greenest industries on earth. Shellfish consume a natural food source (phytoplankton), filter water, and are vitally useful for habitat restoration work. The NJ Aquaculture Innovation Center at Rutgers University–New Brunswick helps industry through efforts like selective breeding to enhance disease resistance and enable shellfish to thrive in a changing environment impacted by climate change. It is also working to diversify the industry by optimizing culture of new shellfish species like surf clams and bay scallops. One of the many ways #Rutgers and the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences are advancing scholarship, research, and practical applications that serve the common good, here in New Jersey and beyond. Laura J. Lawson David Bushek Ximing Guo Mike De Luca Alexandria A. Jenny Paterno Shinn M'Kayla Rosen Talia Barry Mark Baranoski
Dena Seidel
6mo
So wonderful to see the impressive work of the scientists at the AIC honored!
Professor at Rutgers University
6moSo happy you were able to visit and look forward to showing you our other facilities and affiliated programs when the opportunity arises.