UNH’s leadership in aquaculture innovation is built upon a robust foundation of over a decade of research excellence and a suite of world-class marine infrastructure. The university’s AquaFort offshore aquaculture research and training platform is a prime example of their pioneering efforts; here, an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system cultivates steelhead trout alongside sugar kelp and mussels. This symbiotic approach leverages nutrient extraction from fish waste by the kelp and mussels, minimizing environmental impact while optimizing growth conditions. Such integrated systems represent the cutting edge of sustainable aquaculture practices aimed at reducing ecological footprints.

The NOAA Cooperative Institute CIFARM is designed as a five-year collaborative enterprise, uniting a broad network of academic partners including New Hampshire Sea Grant, University of Miami, Florida Sea Grant, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, California Sea Grant, University of Hawaii, and Hawaii Sea Grant. This consortium enables a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise from fisheries science, marine biology, oceanography, and environmental engineering to address complex challenges faced by the seafood industry in the U.S.

Central to CIFARM’s mission is the deployment of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance operational efficiencies in fish farming and wider aquaculture practices. By optimizing feeding schedules, monitoring water quality, and predicting disease outbreaks through data-driven modeling, the initiative aims to deliver safer and more cost-effective seafood production solutions. These advancements promise to elevate industry standards and ensure reliable access to high-quality seafood for consumers nationwide.

CIFARM also emphasizes the importance of offshore aquaculture systems, which hold the potential to diversify production sites and lessen the ecological pressures on coastal environments. Offshore platforms like UNH’s AquaFort provide critical data on system performance under dynamic ocean conditions, helping optimize designs that balance yield with environmental stewardship. Advanced oceanographic studies, including wave tank testing and estuarine research, form integral components of this work, enabling scientists to better predict and mitigate environmental risks.

The program’s holistic approach extends beyond technology development to include comprehensive market analysis aimed at expanding seafood markets and enhancing supply chain resilience. By studying consumer trends, market frameworks, and regulatory landscapes, CIFARM seeks to build robust economic models that support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture growth while creating employment opportunities in coastal communities. This integrated strategy positions aquaculture as a critical contributor to a more resilient and diversified American food system.

David Fredriksson, director of UNH’s Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, articulates the vision driving this initiative: to develop regionally adapted, environmentally sound aquaculture practices that engage local communities and foster economic vitality. He stresses the need for tailored solutions that accommodate diverse ecosystems and cultural contexts across the U.S., ensuring that seafood production advances hand-in-hand with responsible marine resource management and educational outreach.

NOAA’s embrace of aquaculture as a vital complement to traditional fisheries marks a significant policy evolution aimed at bolstering domestic food security amid rising global demand. This cooperative effort underscores a national commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within the seafood sector. Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator, highlights the agency’s enthusiasm for collaborating with CIFARM partners in unlocking the full potential of aquaculture for the American public.

Currently, U.S. consumers spend over $24 billion annually on seafood, with nearly half sourced from overseas. CIFARM’s focus on increasing domestic production serves not only to reduce this dependence but also to offer consumers greater transparency and confidence in the origin and sustainability of their seafood. By advancing environmentally responsible farming practices and optimizing supply chains, the initiative aims to put fresh, nutritious seafood on more American tables while safeguarding ocean health.

UNH’s research capabilities underpinning CIFARM include a suite of specialized marine facilities. These range from state-of-the-art ocean engineering test tanks and wave tanks to the Judd Gregg Marine Research Complex and pier located in Portsmouth Harbor. Complementing these are estuarine laboratories situated on Great Bay and a fleet of research vessels, including the 50-foot R/V Gulf Challenger. Collectively, these resources provide vital infrastructure for advancing aquaculture science and technology through empirical research and hands-on training.

By integrating scientific research with practical applications, CIFARM represents a milestone in establishing US aquaculture as a globally competitive, ecologically sustainable, and economically vibrant industry. It exemplifies a systemic approach to seafood production that melds technological innovation, ecosystem-based management, and community engagement—fostering resilience and growth across multiple scales from shoreline to plate.

This initiative is poised to transform aquaculture into a cornerstone of America’s sustainable food system, delivering ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend well beyond the marine environment. Through its pioneering research and partnerships, UNH and NOAA are charting a course for a future where responsibly farmed seafood meets increasing consumer demand while preserving the health of marine ecosystems for generations to come.

Subject of Research: Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystem Management

Article Title: University of New Hampshire Leads National Effort to Transform U.S. Aquaculture through CIFARM

News Publication Date: June 8, 2026

Web References:
https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-strengthens-commitment-to-aquaculture-through-new-cooperative-institute

Image Credits: Credit: UNH/NHSG

Keywords: Aquaculture, Sustainable Seafood, NOAA Cooperative Institute, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, Steelhead Trout Farming, Marine Ecosystems, Offshore Aquaculture, Artificial Intelligence in Aquaculture, Seafood Supply Chain, Coastal Community Development, Marine Research Infrastructure, Fisheries Management

The study’s significance emerges amid growing global interest in expanding marine aquaculture, especially in the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean regions, where the demand for sustainable seafood production intensifies. Principal investigator Dr. John D. Stieglitz and lead author Haley Lasco spearheaded experimental work, employing a pilot-scale IMTA system at the University of Miami’s experimental hatchery facility on Virginia Key, Florida. This controlled environment allowed precise monitoring of macroalgae species’ responses to wastewater streams generated by yellowtail snapper grow-out tanks, simulating real-world commercial aquaculture conditions.

Through rigorous two-week trials, four macroalgae species native to the region were cultivated in replicated tanks receiving consistent fish effluent. These trials assessed growth rates, nutrient uptake efficacy, and biochemical composition—encompassing proteins, lipids, fiber, ash, minerals, and elemental carbon and nitrogen ratios. The objective was to identify the optimal macroalgae candidates capable of nutrient extraction while producing high-quality biomass with commercial value. Of particular interest was the seaweeds’ ability to reduce total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), a toxic byproduct of fish metabolism, to below detectable levels.

IMTA leverages natural ecosystem relationships by co-culturing species across trophic levels—finfish, shellfish, and macroalgae—to recycle nutrients and minimize waste. Here, macroalgae acts as an effective biofilter, transforming nitrogenous wastes into valuable biomass. The University of Miami research indicates that selecting appropriate local seaweed species is pivotal for optimizing nutrient removal and diversifying aquaculture products. By integrating these extractive species, aquaculture farms gain a dual benefit: mitigating environmental pollution and generating a secondary revenue stream through harvested seaweed.

The experimental results demonstrated robust growth of specific native macroalgae in response to nutrient-rich effluent, accompanied by enhanced biochemical profiles suited for commercial applications. Stable isotope analyses further confirmed the assimilation of nutrients originating from fish farm discharge, validating the reciprocal ecological function within the IMTA system. This bioconversion process exemplifies how aquaculture can evolve from a mono-trophic, waste-producing operation to a sustainable integrated model where waste is transformed into resource.

Beyond nutrient recycling, the integration of macroalgae addresses critical environmental concerns. Excessive nitrogen and organic matter discharge from intensive finfish farming have long challenged coastal ecosystems, leading to eutrophication, hypoxia, and biodiversity decline. Implementing IMTA with well-chosen seaweed species offers a tangible strategy to circumvent these issues by closing nutrient loops. Additionally, cultivating seaweed locally enhances regional ecosystem resilience and supports circular economies within marine resource management.

The researchers provide practical guidance for aquaculture producers, emphasizing species selection based on site-specific environmental conditions, production goals, and market demands. This framework assists stakeholders in tailoring IMTA designs for maximum sustainability and profitability. Since each macroalga species exhibits unique physiological traits, such as nutrient uptake rates and growth dynamics, matching complementary species to the farm’s effluent profile is crucial for system success.

Key to the study’s impact is demonstrating the economic viability of IMTA through the co-production of seaweed alongside finfish. Harvested macroalgae, rich in protein and other bioactive compounds, holds promise for diverse markets including food, feed, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. This diversification reduces reliance solely on fish yields and offers buffer against market volatility. Moreover, producing macroalgae locally can stimulate green job opportunities and invigorate rural coastal economies.

The team’s pioneering work also sets a precedent for sustainable aquaculture expansion in regions with abundant marine biodiversity yet limited existing multi-trophic aquaculture implementations. The Southeast U.S. and Caribbean represent prime candidates for scaling up IMTA, informed by the data-driven insights from this study. Such integration is aligned with global efforts to increase seafood production while mitigating ecological footprint, a cornerstone of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In conclusion, the University of Miami’s study redefines marine aquaculture paradigms by showcasing the symbiotic potential between finfish and native macroalgae within IMTA systems. By efficiently recycling nutrients and generating marketable products, these integrated operations promise enhanced environmental stewardship and business resilience. This research not only elucidates mechanistic processes underpinning effective nutrient capture but also offers actionable pathways for industry adoption, marking a critical advance in sustainable food production technologies.

Funded by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission in partnership with NOAA Fisheries, the study was published in the journal Aquaculture International on February 10, 2026. Through its comprehensive experimental design and analyses, the work advocates for a future aquaculture industry that is both ecologically responsible and economically sound by leveraging nature’s essential ecological interdependencies.

Subject of Research: Not applicable

Article Title: Evaluation of native macroalgae species of the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean for use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

News Publication Date: February 10, 2026

Web References: DOI link

Image Credits: Haley Lasco

Keywords: Aquaculture, Fisheries, Mariculture, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, Macroalgae, Seaweed, Nutrient Recycling, Environmental Sustainability, Marine Finfish Farming, Southeast U.S., Caribbean, Marine Biology