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Keep Clam and Mussel On: Recirculating Aquaculture System Maintenance

School:: DeLand High School
Subject:: Stem
Teacher:: Daniel Luby
Students Impacted:: 120
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: August 28, 2024

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

FUTURES Foundation - $1,000.00

Goal

For its inaugural year, DHS Aquaculture has been awarded a large aquaponics Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) through a partnership from the University of Florida and the Florida Deprtment of Agriculture. This request is for materials to maintain a culture of hard clams and salt resistant flora in the professional grade RAS at DeLand High School.

What will be done with my students

Students will be involved from the beginning of the project, with a few select assisting with the system install on September 18th. The system will then be converted from fresh to saltwater. Clam seed as well as adult clams will be procured from local growers. The system will also house salt tolerant plants (halophytes) with daylily, beach sunflower, fountain grass, and/or mangroves as potential species. Students will learn how to maintain a polyculture while gaining experience with recirculating aquaculture, aquaponics, and the all important nitrogen cycle.
Per the FLDOE Curriculum Framework for Aquaculture, my students will become adept at the following utilizing this advanced system:
01.01 Identify/describe facilities used in a grow-out operation.
01.02 List sources of aquaculture organisms and how they are produced.
01.03 Determine the purpose and functions of a hatchery.
01.04 Describe and contrast the reproductive anatomy of aquaculture organisms.
01.05 Describe and contrast types of spawning exhibited by aquaculture organisms.
01.06 Discuss proper broodstock conditioning and spawning techniques for aquaculture organisms.
01.01 Recognize and observe safety practices necessary in carrying out aquaculture activities.
01.02 Inspect, maintain and perform basic repairs on aquaculture machinery, equipment and facilities.
01.03 Safely operate aquaculture machinery and equipment.
01.04 Discuss the safety and maintenance of a re-circulating aquaculture system (RAS) including biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration, degassing, sterilization, and foam fractionation.

Benefits to my students

Students will be tasked with running a fully controlled environment for a target species with this project. The RAS system features low water use, is energy efficient, has virtually no impact on land, closely controls the feed of both plants and animals, and allows for the observation of best aquacultural practices. Students will be able to grade harvests with ease as well as keping watch over the culture's overall health. This will give them a glimpse into the aquaculture industry like no other setup. By culturing hard clams, students will be one of the only aquaculture classes in the state for which such an opportunity exists. Florida's shellfish industry is the fastest growing aquaculture sector. Aquaculture itself is the fastest growing food sector worldwide.

Budget Narrative

Because the system is new, it will need all starting materials. Salt will be one of the largest, ongoing expenses for the system. Saltwater test kits will be invaluable resources for teaching, as well as practical applications, for monitoring the nitrogen cycle, pH, and other parameters needed in keeping aquatic plants and animals alive. Clam seed will be used alongside adult specimens as a means to mimic a spawning population. The plant budget will be used to procure salt-tolerant species, while the clam feed ensures a health population of shellfish.