Dr. Saito's exciting local funding
Dr. Keiko Saito has recently received local funding for two incredible research projects.
Dr. Saito has partnered with Blue Sources, a Frederick based company that sells an aquatic bio-monitoring system. Blue Sources utilizes bluegill, a species of freshwater fish, to detect chemical contamination in water supplies. Dr. Saito will be working to improve bluegill aquaculture by utilizing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) that are land based and fully contained.
In addition to fish aquaculture, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) can be utilized in shellfish aquaculture. Dr. Saito has partnered with Mark Street Ventures / TEDCO and Chesapeake Bay Trust to optimize RAS for winter oyster farming. Oyster farms tend to experience higher-than-expected mortality rates in young and weak oysters during the winter months. Due to the consistency and control of a fully contained Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), Dr. Saito believes this system will help maintain healthy oysters throughout the winter.
Congratulations to Dr. Saito and her lab!