Programs

Community-Based Aquaculture Facilities

We refer to our community-based facilities as ‘stationary labs’ to differentiate from our Mobile Labs. In a stationary lab scenario, we provide training, resources and materials for local staff, and ongoing technical support. Like all of our projects, our on-the-ground partner runs daily operations and the lab itself is usually stationed within a landmark in the community, e.g., fishing association building or municipality. Utilizing these unique buildings enables aquaculture to become embedded in the communities, enhances the visibility of the work and provides meaningful hands-on experiences to students, fisherfolk, and families. Our stationary labs showcase how community-driven aquaculture initiatives can lead to sustainable practices, bolster local economies, and contribute to the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Community-Based Mobile Hatcheries and Nurseries

The Mobile Queen Conch Lab is an outfitted 20’ x 8’ trailer, fully equipped to grow queen conch from the egg mass stage to early juvenile stage. It is designed to operate on solar power and equipped with backup batteries and an inverter. The Lab’s saltwater growing systems can be water flow-through or recirculation, and the aeration system provides air circulation for the larval tanks and algae cultures. The Lab has the capacity to grow up to 2,000 conch per year, up to 4-10 mm in shell size. An additional nursery tank area would be required to grow the conch to a larger size of 7-8 cm (restoration size). Optional features of the Lab include a microalgae culture area and/or an educational display area (walk-up window/food truck-style). A chiller, reservoir, and filter system is recommended along with a small AC unit to provide temperature control for culturing microalgae and conch.

In a Mobile Lab scenario, we provide training, resources and materials for local staff, and ongoing technical support. This Mobile Lab can be shipped to any Caribbean country where a relationship with strategic partners and community members is established and maintained.

Online Learning for growing queen conch

‘eConch’ is a free online training program for growing queen conch, developed in collaboration with FAU’s Center for Online and Continuing Education. The program is easy to follow, allows users to move at their own pace, includes high-quality video and provides access to expert advice. The training also includes a comprehensive manual, which provides step-by-step complete illustrations and photos depicting how to culture queen conch.

shell craft workshops

We host workshops where artisans receive individualized guidance on basic carving techniques from an experienced instructor. All necessary carving tools and materials are provided and participants are encouraged to bring their creativity and enthusiasm for this unique artistic trade. The sessions involve hands-on work with advanced carving tools.

Pearl Culture

Queen conch pearls are one of the few pearls that are still sold as wild pearls or natural pearls. In nature, there’s only 1 in 10,000 conch that have a pearl and out of those, usually there’s one of very high quality. Growing queen conch pearls has the potential to provide a new type of diversified income for Caribbean communities. 

Sea vegetables

Are sea vegetables the new kale? Chefs are becoming increasingly interested in sea vegetable ingredients for their unique flavor and outstanding nutritional value. Since 2012, FAU Harbor Branch has been operating a marine Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system for culturing vast amounts of delicious sea vegetables.