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Background
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Japanese National Research Institute of Aquaculture have been working together since 1971 to enhance the development of freshwater and marine aquaculture. Since the 1960's aquaculture production has increased several fold in the United States and Japan, and the Aquaculture Panel hs bridged communication between the scientific communities of these two countries and facilitated the development of various aquaculture techniques.
Types of Exchanges
Each year Japanese and U.S. scientists meet at the Aquaculture Panel meeting to present and discuss current research on a specific aspect of aquacuture. In addition, a number of scientists visit their colleagues' laboratories to further key research and share data, equipment, and samples. These joint studies have included the development of recombinant DNA for the preparation of vaccines; salmon hatchery techniques; hormonal control of reproduction; interspecific relationships between fish; king crab reproduction; fish parasites; and ecological models for fish populations. In addition to formal technical exchanges, the panel has mediated U.S. industry requests for information on Japanese algae-culture and flounder-enhancement techniques.
Accomplishments
With help from the panel, the Waddell Mariculture Center in South Carolina has developed a sister laboratory program with the
Japanese National Research Institute of Aquaculture. Japanese abalone techniques are now being used successfully by U.S. abalone farmers.
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service is using fish enhancement data provided by Japanese scientists to help determine the feasibility of marine fish stock enhancement.
U.S.-developed salmon vaccines designed to reduce the mortality rates of hatchery salmon are being evaluated by Japanese scientists for commercial application.
Both countries maintain libraries of scientific reprints pertinent to aquaculture.
Benefits
The most important benefit of this exchange is the continuous improvement of aquaculture techniques, from collection and preservation of genetic resources to the production of useful strains for culture. Long-term professional cooperation has saved
both countries time and money.
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