06/09/12: NOAA uses aquaculture techniques as a conservation tool; algae-to-energy facility operational

Hello,

• We usually think of aquaculture as a purely commercial venture.  However, NOAA is exploiting the potential of aquaculture as a conservation tool.  White abalone numbers have declined steadily off the coast of southern California since the 1970s.  Recovery efforts, including closing the fishery in 1997, have not led to an increased population; in fact, trends indicate that this species is approaching extinction.  NOAA and its partners are using aquaculture techniques such as captive breeding to to establish a self-sustaining population in the wild.  Read more...
  

• Sapphire Energy, Inc. has announced that the first phase of its Green Crude Farm, the world’s first commercial demonstration algae-to-energy facility, is now operational. When completed, the facility will produce 1.5 million gallons per year of crude oil and consist of approximately 300 acres of algae cultivation ponds and processing facilities.  Read more...

abalone (Photo credit: rachaelwrites)