This project builds on the initial twelve years of efforts to establish bivalve grow-out in hawaii by developing new species and building capacity for the first aquaculture cooperative in hawaii

This $500,000 Project Grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Fisheries Development and Utilization Research and Development Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (CFDA 11.427) supports efforts to establish bivalve and seaweed aquaculture in Hawaii. Key activities include developing operational protocols and business capacity for the Hilo Aquaculture Pilot Site, the first open-water shellfish/seaweed farm in the state, conducting marketing studies, and cultivating high-value native bivalve and seaweed species. The project also aims to mitigate impacts of non-native bivalve species and collect data to scale up restorative aquaculture, providing direct benefits to fishers and working waterfronts. This award builds on 12 years of work to develop bivalve aquaculture in Hawaii and advance native seaweed aquaculture through the Limu Ark repository. The University of Hawaii at Hilo, a state-controlled educational institution and Native Hawaiian-serving university, is the awardee for this 2-year project starting on Jan 1, 2025.

The near absence of native seaweed aquaculture will also be addressed through development of culture methods for high-value species at the limu ARK (seaweed repository). Key activities include: developing operational protocols for the hilo aquaculture pilot site (haps), the first open- water shellfish/seaweed aquaculture farm in the state; build business and managerial capacity for the hilo aquaculture cooperative (HAC); conduct marketing studies for the species cultured at the haps; develop high-value native bivalve and seaweed species; lessen potential impacts of non-native bivalve species through polyploid creation; and acquire key data needed to scale up restorative aquaculture. Equally important, this work makes progress towards implementing restorative aquaculture for direct benefits to fishers and working waterfronts.